USING VAGUE AGENDAS

QUESTION: I am the president of a board and I have a director who insists that I can use the word "Other" as an agenda item to facilitate changes to the agenda that come in after the required posting date of the agenda. The way I interpret the new Open Meeting Act, I cannot add or remove any agenda items once the agenda is posted. Could you please respond to this??

ANSWER: I've had similar questions from other readers. One asked, "Can 'Old Business' and 'New Business' indicate all items under these headings without specifics?"

Your understanding of the new law is correct. Boards cannot dodge the new law by creating broad categories called "Other" or "Landscaping" or "Contracts", etc. and then throwing action items into those categories at the meeting. This has the effect of keeping owners in the dark since they will have no idea prior to the meeting what matters might be discussed and voted on at the meeting.

Updated by ADAMS KESSLER 5/7/2008