Help needed - club committees and procedure!

[snookhams]

I am on the committee of my sons swimming club and we have had a situation recently were a relatively new committee member verbal abused out chairman (using foul language) in front of other parents at a training session - it was so bad that the chairman wrote a report for the incident book. The parent has been given the opportunity, twice to apologies but refuses to, and can't see that she has done anything wrong. We are having a meeting tonight and as the Sec. I spoke to the Chairman who wants her ejected from the committee - can he do this - I have read the clubs constituation but other than saying 'parents are expected to behave in an appropriate manner' I can't find anything on there for this sort of situation. Would we need to have a committee vote of no confidence, or a secret ballot asking all members ' should Mrs. XXX stay on the committee'!. Help would be really appreciated as this is a very awkward situation.

 

[Cyrano]

This is an awkward situation, especially as the constitution of the group appears to be unhelpful in this situation.

Unless the consitution states that the Chair has the power of ejection he/she cannot expect to be able to do this.

When you say "parents should behave in an appropriate manner" do you mean the members or specifically the committe. It would be helpful to see the whole paragraph that this comment is made in to see the whole context.

The person could be asked to leave and a vote taken, but would the rest of the committee be comfortable making this decision. Many times groups will voice disquiet outside the room but become silent when asked to make a decision.
Is there any member who is friendly with this particular person? Perhaps a word from them could help them see that without an apology it will be uncomfortable for them to stay a member.

Just a thought here. Is the Chair asking that they only come off the committee or that they be banned from being a member?

 

[wils]

Not a clue - what a horrible situation. My gut feel is that a secret ballot might be the best thing but I (luckily) have no experience to draw from.

Good Luck

 

[sue&and]

As the Secretary of a youth football club our constitution does actually cover this. However if yours doesn't, the best way forward is to hold a committee meeting to discuss this incident and the complaint from the Chair. It should then be decided at committee level what the outcome should be and the only fair way to do this is by taking a vote. Also remember that the Chair generally does not have a vote unless it is a casting one. Anyone prepared to be on the committee should realise that they sometimes have to be prepared to voice their opinions, even in a difficult situation such as this.

 

[Cyrano]

Good advice Sue.

Anyone prepared to be on the committee should realise that they sometimes have to be prepared to voice their opinions, even in a difficult situation such as this.

Couldn't agree more, pity that more people didn't think the same way

 

[Spook]

Snookhams what happened at your meeting. I am on 2 groups and despite some heated discussions have never had to vote off members. Like you we have found that our constitutions let us down mainly because they were written by well meaning people and not updated.

Jan