In a message dated 1/31/2007 11:10:13 A.M. Central Standard Time, daryllauffer@xxxxxxxxxxx writes: Do our By-laws allow a member to abstain from voting? Wonder why those who were fearful didn't just abstain Yes of course they can abstain,but this was not just a "closed Session". It was a Complaint Hearing.Our President followed the By-Laws,He had a notice of the complaint,along with a copy from Membership Chair Dania,sent to Mr. Hunte,and set the time and date of the Hearing which happened to be the Board meeting. You can Hold a Hearing with as little as 3 members &,with or without attorneys,or you can choose the entire Board.to hold the Hearing. Lew chose to use the whole Board The defendant was given the opportunity to speak. We still don't like the outcome but at least it was done fair and square and as a response to the members complaint against this applicant. But this is why there were no vote abstentions. Helen Miller Fisher ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================