When can a board go in camera?
Boards of directors may meet in camera (meaning “in chambers”, or privately), in order to discuss particularly sensitive issues, such as legal, personnel, real property, management performance, or labour relations matters, or where personal information about a volunteer, staff member or donor will be disclosed.
What does in camera mean at a board meeting?
In the U.S.A., the term sometimes used is “executive sessions.” The term “in camera” is from the Latin word for “chamber.” In the context of board meetings it means an “in private” session, a meeting, or portion of a meeting, where one or more of the people normally in attendance are excused.
Why do boards have in camera sessions?
Purpose of in camera and board-only sessions At the commencement of the meeting, an in camera or board-only session provides an opportunity for board members to flag any sensitive or contentious agenda items and to agree on how or whether to deal with them in advance.
Should in camera meetings be minuted?
Should we take minutes when we’re in camera? Yes. In camera minutes should be stored separately from your public minutes and should only be accessible to members who were privy to the in camera session.
Are board discussions confidential?
While discussions and voting are confidential in executive session, boards should be as transparent as possible under the circumstances.
What is an agenda of a meeting?
An agenda is 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. It usually includes one or more specific items of business to be acted upon. An agenda may also be called a docket, schedule, or calendar.
What should be discussed in camera?
C. Matters that are commonly discussed in-camera include: Board issues such as internal problems and factions. Board objectives and performance. Board and management succession planning.
Who is responsible for minutes of meeting?
Minutes may be created during the meeting by a typist or court reporter, who may use shorthand notation and then prepare the minutes and issue them to the participants afterwards.
Can board members talk to each other?
Board members may contact each other outside of meetings for information, and of course, for social reasons. They should avoid making decisions or agreements to act on board business outside of a called meeting.
Are in camera board meetings effective?
In addition to regular Board meetings, current governance norms recommend the regular use of in camera meetings, also referred to as executive sessions, by governing boards. When used properly, in camera sessions can be very helpful to a Board’s effective functioning.
What is an in camera meeting?
“ In camera ” is a Latin term which, in this context, can be understood to mean an “in private” session. It involves a confidential meeting, or a portion of a meeting, taking place with only Board members present. These meetings are sometimes called “Board only” sessions.
How often should a board have in camera sessions?
Some go so far as to recommend that boards routinely put in camera sessions on their meeting agendas, if not every meeting then maybe four times a year, even if they do not need them, so that fewer suspicions will be raised than if they were suddenly added.
What is an in-camera board meeting or executive session?
An in-camera board meeting (also sometimes referred to as an executive session) is held when directors meet behind closed doors, without management or any other non-board member present.