Associations have different kinds of meetings with different notice requirements for each and different rights that attach to the meetings. They can be divided into three distinct types:
1. BOARD MEETINGS
a. Open Meetings. Members can attend to observe the board conduct business (either in-person or virtual meetings).
- Regular (scheduled same day each month; requires 4-days' notice)
- Special (for matters that cannot wait for a regularly scheduled meeting; requires 4-days' notice)
- Emergency (to address emergencies, no notice required)
b. Closed (executive session) Meetings. Members cannot attend due to confidential nature of topics discussed. Executive sessions can be held before or after an open board meeting or as a stand alone meeting on a different day from an open meeting provided 2-day's notice is given (unless it's an emergency executive session meeting). Executive session meetings can be in-person or virtual (Zoom) meetings.
2. COMMITTEE MEETINGS
a. Standing Committees (long-term committees)
b. Ad Hoc (special purpose advisory)
c. Executive Committee (directors only)
3. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS (either in-person or virtual meetings)
a. Annual Meetings. Required by the governing documents for the election of directors.
b. Special Meetings. Held for a specific purpose to vote on a matter presented to the membership such as amendment governing document; approving special assessments; granting exclusive use easements; and recall elections.
c. Town Hall meetings. Informational meetings where no business is conducted.
4. JOINT NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS
Whenever two or more associations have consolidated any of their functions under a joint neighborhood association or similar organization, members of each participating association shall be (a) entitled to attend all meetings of the joint association other than executive sessions, (b) given reasonable opportunity for participation in those meetings, and (c) entitled to the same access to the joint association’s records as they are to the participating association’s records. (Civ. Code § 4820.)
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