Legal Definitions - good of the order

The term good of the order refers to a specific segment, typically scheduled towards the conclusion of a formal meeting, where participants are invited to share general announcements, offer informal comments, or propose ideas that are not intended to be debated or acted upon immediately by the group. It provides an opportunity for members to contribute to the overall well-being, future direction, or general awareness of the organization without requiring a formal motion, discussion, or vote during that particular meeting.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Community Association Meeting: Imagine a monthly meeting for a neighborhood homeowner's association. After all the agenda items, such as approving the budget and discussing landscaping contracts, have been addressed and voted upon, the chairperson opens the floor for "good of the order." A resident might then announce a new community watch initiative starting next month, another could suggest a potential date for the annual block party to be considered later, and a third might simply express appreciation for the recent park improvements. None of these require a formal motion or immediate decision from the board at that moment.

  This illustrates "good of the order" because these are informal announcements and suggestions aimed at the community's general benefit, shared without expecting immediate decisions or formal action from the board during that specific meeting.

• Professional Organization Board Meeting: Consider a quarterly board meeting for a professional engineering society. After reviewing financial reports, approving new membership applications, and discussing upcoming events, the president asks if there's anything for the "good of the order." A board member might announce an upcoming industry conference that could be of interest to other members, another could suggest forming a small ad-hoc committee to explore new mentorship programs in the future, and a third might share positive feedback received from a recent webinar. These items are noted but not formally debated or voted on.

  These contributions are for the general benefit and future consideration of the society, not requiring immediate board action or a formal vote, thus fitting the definition of "good of the order."

• Volunteer Group Meeting: Picture a weekly meeting for a local park clean-up volunteer group. Towards the end, after planning the logistics for the next clean-up event, the team leader asks if there's "anything for the good of the order." One volunteer might mention a grant opportunity they heard about that the group could apply for next year, another might share a tip about a new, more efficient type of litter picker, and a third could remind everyone about a social gathering planned for the following month. These are shared for general information and future consideration.

  These are informal suggestions, information sharing, and announcements that contribute to the group's long-term success and camaraderie, but they don't require immediate decisions or formal action from the group at that moment, perfectly aligning with the concept of "good of the order."