[Michlib-l] Virtual attendance at board meetings?

[Steven Bowers]

Last time I looked at the MI laws they allowed remote access, as allowed by your institutional bylaws.  What the law does not allow is proxy attendance, i.e. sending someone in your stead.  So, Board members are legally obligated to attend but it does not have to be physically if your group allows other means for live attendance, such as via phone, remote video, etc.


I can try to look up the specifics if you want but that was the gist of it last time I looked.


-Steve


Steven K. Bowers
Executive Director
Detroit Area Library Network

Michigan Library Association, President
ALA Chapter Councilor, Michigan


www.dalnet.org<http://www.dalnet.org>


"DALNET is a community of libraries working together to provide access to information for research, cultural enrichment, and lifelong learning opportunities."


"Wayne State University is Knowledge, Diversity, Community!"


________________________________
From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org <michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> on behalf of Linda Lyshol via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2018 4:22 PM
To: michlib-l at mail.mcls.org
Subject: [Michlib-l] Virtual attendance at board meetings?

Hi, recently a trustee asked if it is legal to have board members attend virtually instead of physically. Obviously, this would not excuse physical presence at board meetings all the time, but simply for the times that the board member might be ill but not ill enough to have read the packet and be able to vote; it would be nice for them to leave their germs at home. There would, of course, be other reasons they might not be able to attend physically but, if possible, to attend virtually. Does anyone have an legal opinion on this or have a policy that I can look at? Thanks!

Linda Lyshol, MLIS, MPA
Library Director, Branch District Library
10 E. Chicago St.,Coldwater MI 49036
http://www.BranchDistrictLibrary.org
517-278-2341, ext. 116 | 517-278-2342 (fax)

To fear change is to fear being challenged.
To fear being challenged is to fear growth and new possibilities.~Ty Howard
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