Legal Definitions - informational member

An informational member is an individual or entity that participates in a group, committee, or organization, receiving all relevant information and often attending meetings and contributing to discussions. However, unlike full members, an informational member does not possess the right to vote on any decisions, resolutions, or elections made by the body. Their role is typically to observe, provide input, or offer specialized knowledge without influencing outcomes through a formal vote.

• Example 1: City Planning Committee

  A city council establishes a special committee to review proposed zoning changes for a new commercial development. To ensure community input, they invite a representative from a local neighborhood association to join the committee. This representative attends all meetings, receives all planning documents, and actively participates in discussions, voicing concerns about traffic and environmental impact. However, when the committee votes on whether to recommend the zoning changes to the full city council, the neighborhood representative cannot cast a vote. Their role is to provide a community perspective and information, not to formally decide the committee's recommendation.

  This illustrates an informational member because the neighborhood representative contributes valuable input and receives all information but lacks the power to vote on the committee's official decisions.

• Example 2: Corporate Board Observer

  A startup company has a board of directors. As part of a new investment agreement, a representative from the venture capital firm that provided funding is granted a seat as a board observer. This observer attends all board meetings, receives all financial reports and strategic documents, and can offer advice and insights during discussions. However, when the board votes on major company decisions, such as approving a new product line, appointing a CEO, or authorizing a new round of funding, the venture capital representative does not have a vote.

  Here, the venture capital representative functions as an informational member by staying fully informed and providing expertise without having formal voting power on the board's resolutions.

• Example 3: University Senate Committee

  A university's academic senate forms a committee to revise the curriculum for a specific department. To ensure student perspectives are heard, a student representative from that department is invited to join the committee. The student attends all meetings, reviews proposed course changes, and actively participates in discussions, sharing feedback on student workload and course relevance. When the committee votes on the final curriculum proposal to send to the full senate, the student representative does not cast a vote.

  The student representative is an informational member because they contribute valuable insights and represent a key stakeholder group but do not possess the authority to vote on the committee's formal decisions.