How may an executive session be called?

How may an executive session be called?

• A. By a motion on majority vote of the public body in public session; the motion must identify the general topics to be discussed in the executive session
• B. By a simple suggestion from the chair
• C. By a secret ballot among members
• D. By a unanimous vote in the public session

Answer: (A)

In New York, calling an executive session must follow a formal public action: a motion to go into executive session is brought in an open public meeting and is adopted by a majority vote of the public body. The motion must identify the general topics to be discussed in the executive session. This protects transparency by ensuring the topics contemplated for private discussion are stated in advance. A simple suggestion from the chair isn’t enough to trigger an executive session, and votes are not conducted by secret ballot in this context. Unanimous approval isn’t required either; a majority vote in public suffices.

In New York, calling an executive session must follow a formal public action: a motion to go into executive session is brought in an open public meeting and is adopted by a majority vote of the public body. The motion must identify the general topics to be discussed in the executive session. This protects transparency by ensuring the topics contemplated for private discussion are stated in advance.

A simple suggestion from the chair isn’t enough to trigger an executive session, and votes are not conducted by secret ballot in this context. Unanimous approval isn’t required either; a majority vote in public suffices.