Our By-Laws say when charges are presented to the Secretary, she sends the charges to the board, the board has a meeting to determine if the charges are worth moving forward on to a hearing. If the charges are warrented a hearing date is set and sent along with the charges to the defendant. My question is, the person being charged is on the board. Do they receive the charges along with the board, or do they get them after the board decides to move forward?

Dear Phl,
I do not understand what you mean by "charges." According to Roberts Rules, whenever someone has been accused of wrong-doing an investigating committee is formed. This committee should investigate all sides and also talk with the person who has been accused. Then the committee reports the findings to the assembly and then assembly decides what to do. Did you skip a step here? If someone is being accused of wrong-doing, this is very serious and should be done with great care. The board member should have the right to be heard. There should be no surprises. Is this a case of trying to "get someone" or is there a sincere desire to find truth and bring about justice?

Cheerio,

Litte Ben

Question submitted by Phil on October 11, 2016

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