The Rural Energy Act

The Board must meet at least four times a year, and may meet more often when needed or expedient for its business.

The Secretary to the Board must convene all Board meetings. If the Secretary is incapacitated, the Chairman must set the time, place, and date for each meeting.

The Secretary must call a special Board meeting when at least five Board members sign a written request.

A Board meeting must usually be called with at least five days’ written notice, unless it is a special meeting.

Board members with a commercial interest in business being discussed at a meeting must notify the Chairman and Secretary and leave that part of the meeting.

The Chairman must preside over Board meetings; if the Chairman is absent, the members present must elect one of their number as interim Chairman.

Board meeting minutes must be kept properly, confirmed at the Board’s next meeting, and signed by the Chairman of the meeting.

Five members of the Board make a quorum at any meeting.

Board-authorised acts, matters, and items must be decided by resolution at a Board meeting with a quorum.

A Board decision can be made by majority vote of the members present at a Board meeting.

Board members (except ex-official members) each get one vote, and the meeting chairman gets a casting vote if votes are equal.

If the Chairman directs it, the Board may make a decision without holding a meeting by circulating the papers and members’ written views. Any member may require that the decision be referred until the matter is considered at a Board meeting.

The Board may act even if there are vacancies, as long as the Schedule’s quorum rules are met.

The Board may regulate its own procedure and make standing orders about Board meetings and the conduct of its business.

Documents are treated as duly executed for the Board if they are sealed with the Board’s seal and signed by one of the listed combinations of officers.