Under Robert's Rules of Order, the president is not required to
abstain from making motions or voting on
motions. Unless an association's governing documents prohibit voting by the president, he/she may actively participate in board meetings and vote on all matters brought before the board, whether in open or executive session meetings.
PROCEDURE IN SMALL BOARDS. In a board meeting where there are not more than about a dozen members present, some of the formality that is necessary in a large assembly would hinder business. The rules governing such meetings are different from the rules that hold in other assemblies, in the the following respects: . . . the chairman [may] . . . vote on all questions. (Robert's Rules, 11th ed., pp. 487-488.)
Conflict of Interest. The exception to voting is when the president has a a
conflict of interest and needs to
recuse him/herself from the vote.
ASSISTANCE: Associations needing legal assistance can
contact us.
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