CMCA Questions and Answers with Complete Solutions

CMCA Questions and Answers with Complete Solutions Abstention When a participant in a vote either does not go to vote or, in parliamentary procedure, is present during the vote, but does not cast a ballot. An abstention may be used to indicate the voting individual's ambivalence about the measure or mild disapproval that does not rise to the level of active opposition. Abstentions do not count in tallying the vote; when members abstain, they are in effect only attending the meeting to aid in constituting a quorum. Action item lists A documented event, task, activity or action that needs to take place. Action items are usually documented in the meeting minutes and are recorded in the task list of the group. At the next meeting the action item list is reviewed by the group and at that meeting the facilitator will check the status of these items. Agenda A list of meeting activities in the order in which they are to be taken up, beginning with the call to order and ending with adjournment. Amend a Motion Motion modification: -Inserting or adding words or paragraphs -Striking out words or paragraphs -Striking out words and inserting or adding others, or substituting an entire paragraph or complete resolution for another. Ballot A device used to record choices made by voters. Each voter uses one ballot, which is not shared. Committee report Highlight matters to be decided and recommendations by the committee. Supporting research should be included in the reports. Committees need to clearly state the actions they are asking the board to take and you should provide your committees with a suggested format for their reports and a sample. Debate During an election, a formal discussion involving opposing candidates vying for the same position Executive session When a board must hold a discussion or make decisions of a sensitive nature. The topics that commonly require an executive session and are allowable by law usually include personal issues, contract negotiations and discussions, lawsuits and other legal matters, and governing document violations. Financial report This is a report on the community's financial condition and activities, including a general ledger, variance, accounts payable, income statement and balance sheet. Majority Over 50% of the votes needed to win an election. The majority vote can come from those owners who attend the meeting, in person or by proxy, to decide all matters except special issues. Management Report Update on the association's current management and administrative activities. Minutes Document decisions made during the meeting. This provides a permanent public record of positions and actions taken by the board. Motion A formal proposal stating that the association took a certain action Notice of meeting An official announcement that a meeting will take place, which should be sent in writing to board members at least a week before a meeting. Parliamentary procedure The body of rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings and other operations. Plurality Awards the election to the candidate with the most votes, regardless of whether or not they received the majority. Quorum The number of residents required to be present to transact business legally. That number is established in the association'l by-laws. Robert's Rules of Order A book that provides common rules and procedures for deliberation and debate in order to place the whole membership on the same footing and speaking the same language. Second a motion Generally, once the motion has been proposed, consideration by the assembly occurs only if another member of the body immediately seconds the motion. Table a motion Incomplete items on the agenda should be rescheduled, or tabled, for another meeting. Timed Agenda A more specific agenda that limits the amount of time focused on specific areas, so as to move the meeting along at a more thorough and prompt pace.