During meetings, many topics are discussed, and many motions are passed. Not every motion may have passed unanimously, though the vote or minority opinion is seldom recorded in order to maintain the image of unanimity.
It is important that, no matter how votes occurred, all directors support the decisions of the board.
To reinforce this, consider ending each board meeting with a ratification. It may be offered in this form. “I make a motion that we ratify our actions of the board that came before us today.”
Thus, the final motion indicates concurrence amongst the directors. The chair might close with a reminder, “For everyone in the room, please remember our discussions, decisions and the resulting votes are to be treated as confidential. The chair or a designee speaks for the board unless you are designated with specific authority or responsibility.”
Apparent authority exists for an association when a reasonable third party (i.e., member, sponsor, supplier, chapter, media, politician) would understand that an agent such as a board member or volunteer has authority to act. This means a principal is bound by the director or volunteer’s actions, even if the volunteer had no actual authority, whether express or implied. Be sure to orient the board and committee volunteers as to the concept and who has authority to speak.
