[Harc] HARC Meeting Quorum

[David Boyd]

Dear HARC,

At last evening's December Business Meeting, where we attempted to elect 
new HARC officers, there was some concern that because only one Board 
member was in attendance we did not have a quorum and could not do an 
official vote.  Unfortunately we did not have HARC By-Laws handy to 
check.  I have since got a hold of a copy (thanks Cliff), and my review 
of them shows some good news, and some bad news.

First the Good News.  There are two general types of meetings: 
Membership Business Meetings; and Board Meetings.  While the Board 
meetings do require a least half of the Board be present for a quorum, 
this is not the case for Membership Meetings.  So the absence of most of 
the Board last evening was not a problem regarding having a quorum.

Now the Bad News:  For a Membership Meeting to have a quorum, at least 
half of the eligible voting members (i.e. those current with their dues) 
need to be present.  This was certainly not the case last evening, and 
probably has not been so for most of the meetings we have held.  If my 
understanding is correct, most of the decisions we have made at meetings 
in recent years have not been in accord with our By-Laws.

I think we should amend our By-Laws to make it easier to have a quorum 
for our Membership Meetings.  Frankly, I think the By-Laws overall are 
much more complicated than they need to be, and could benefit from an 
update.  What are your thoughts?

73
David KN6CEH