Century Village Forum

The following was posted to the Q & A to make certain all Delegates would know the importance of attending this Fridays meeting.

Ed


Author: Randall Borchardt (---.hsd1.fl.comcast.net)
Date: 07-09-08 17:36


Due to the recent reinterpretation of the UCO Bylaws regarding open meetings of committees, these meetings (with the exception of those meetings exempted by the UCO Bylaws) may now only be attended with prior approval of the chair of the committee. You will then be permitted to make a brief statement after which you will be required to leave the meeting so that it may begin.

This unfortunate change in policy requires that a motion be made at the Friday Delegate Assembly which will reaffirm the original meaning and intent of the "Sunshine Amendment" to the UCO Bylaws (which was passed almost unanimously by the Delegate Assembly in 2003).

As a public service to our community, I am presenting this resolution on this forum so that Delegates will have time to discuss this issue with interested unit owners in their respective associations. I urge every Delegate to attend this Friday's Assembly meeting in order to properly restore the open meeting policy to our Village. The following is the Resolution (a formal motion) which will be presented:



A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONFIRMING THE MEANING AND INTENT OF THE GOVERNMENT-IN-THE-SUNSHINE PROVISION OF THE UCO BYLAWS (ARTICLE XI, PARAGRAPH H)

WHEREAS the Board of Directors must determine for itself the meaning of its Bylaws;

WHEREAS the meaning of the “Sunshine Amendment” to the UCO Bylaws has been broadly construed, whereby the established custom of open meetings has been altered by a new policy without the approval of the Board of Directors of UCO;

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Directors of the United Civic Organization, Inc. as follows:


Section 1: THAT the Sunshine Amendment to the UCO Bylaws requires that 1) non-exempted meetings of boards and committees must be open; 2) reasonable notice of such meetings must be given, and 3) minutes of such meetings must be taken and made available upon request.



Section 2: THAT the Sunshine Amendment to the UCO Bylaws applies to all discussions or deliberations as well as formal action taken by boards and committees of UCO, except for those meetings or portions of meetings specifically exempted by this Amendment. It is applicable to any gathering, whether formal or casual, of a quorum of members of the same board or committee to discuss some matter on which foreseeable action or recommendations for action will be taken.


Section 3: THAT boards and committees are permitted to adopt written reasonable rules and regulations which ensure the orderly conduct of a meeting and which require orderly behavior on the part of the non-members attending. This includes limiting the time and frequency that an individual can speak and, when a large number of people attend and wish to speak, requesting that a representative on each side of the issue speak rather than everyone present. In addition, the manner of participation should also be adopted as a written reasonable rule. The board or committee shall determine that non-members are permitted to speak to each agenda item at the beginning of the meeting, or in the alternative, prior to the deliberation of each item of business. In the event that items of business not listed on the agenda are considered, non-member participation shall also be ensured by the board or committee. Agendas shall be posted along with the notice of the board or committee meeting at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Voting by secret ballot shall not be permitted except for the appointment or dismissal of committee members by the committee itself.