Part Five - The Formal Rules
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 November 2012
Summary
A: Useful Definitions
In order for meetings to run successfully, they need to be bound by common rules, and to work according to agreed definitions. To that end, a few useful definitions are given here.
Attendance
For a member to remain on a committee or board, there should be a requirement of a minimum of attendance in person (say, 75 per cent). Where such attendance requirements are not met, then the member is removed from membership and replaced. When so removed from membership, the person who failed to attend is disbarred from being eligible for membership again until the next election or appointment.
The giving of a proxy constitutes an attendance, save a personal presence is required for at least 50 per cent of meetings.
Base motives
It should be an assumption in meetings that all members act from good motives. The misattribution of morally dubious motives should be subject to censure.
Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest occurs when a fact, perception, or belief compromises professional objectivity.
Consensus Consensus is an informal agreement as to decisions. The Chair may express the view that there is consensus over a particular motion, but that is a challengeable assumption.
Courtesy
Courtesy is the application of the rules of civilised behaviour that govern personal interchange. It is based upon the assumption that all people are dignified entities deserving of respect.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Meetings HandbookFormal Rules and Informal Processes, pp. 141 - 154Publisher: Anthem PressPrint publication year: 2012