Because it takes a lot to run an organization, and all the members do not have a tremendous amount of time to devote to the organization, the members give some of the responsibilities of running the organization to a group of people frequently referred to as the board of directors. Thus, the board meeting is a meeting of a specified group of members who make decisions on behalf of the organization. The membership, authority, and limitations of this group are specified in the bylaws. Because this group has been given total authority over specific aspects of the organization, meetings of the board are usually only open to members of the board and their invitees and the meetings are usually held in executive session.

Because it takes a lot to run an organization, and all the members do not have a tremendous amount of time to devote to the organization, the members give some of the responsibilities of running the organization to a group of people frequently referred to as the board of directors. Thus, the board meeting is a meeting of a specified group of members who make decisions on behalf of the organization. The membership, authority, and limitations of this group are specified in the bylaws. Because this group has been given total authority over specific aspects of the organization, meetings of the board are usually only open to members of the board and their invitees and the meetings are usually held in executive session.

• A. Board of directors meeting
• B. General meeting
• C. Committee meeting
• D. Assembly

Answer: (A)

The situation describes a meeting of the organization’s governing body—the board of directors. This group is entrusted by the bylaws with decision-making authority over specific areas of the organization, so membership, scope, and limitations are spelled out in the bylaws. Because the board handles sensitive or strategic matters, its meetings are typically restricted to board members and invited guests and are often conducted in executive session. That combination—a defined, authoritative group making decisions with access limited to its members and often conducted privately—distinguishes this from other types of meetings. A general meeting involves the broader membership and is usually open to more attendees; a committee meeting involves a smaller subset focused on particular tasks and reporting back to the board; an assembly refers to a larger gathering of members or delegates, not the organization’s governing body.

The situation describes a meeting of the organization’s governing body—the board of directors. This group is entrusted by the bylaws with decision-making authority over specific areas of the organization, so membership, scope, and limitations are spelled out in the bylaws. Because the board handles sensitive or strategic matters, its meetings are typically restricted to board members and invited guests and are often conducted in executive session. That combination—a defined, authoritative group making decisions with access limited to its members and often conducted privately—distinguishes this from other types of meetings. A general meeting involves the broader membership and is usually open to more attendees; a committee meeting involves a smaller subset focused on particular tasks and reporting back to the board; an assembly refers to a larger gathering of members or delegates, not the organization’s governing body.