"Meeting Adjourned!" Seriously?

What is the proper way to adjourn a board meeting?

When the business of a meeting is finished, the president should call for a motion to adjourn. Another board member will second the motion. Usually, there is no discussion, but there could be. Then the board votes. Usually, everybody is tired, and they vote to adjourn.

The wrong way to adjourn a meeting is for the president to announce, "Meeting adjourned!" and walk out.

What happened last Tuesday night? It was a contentious meeting. A lot of people were irritated at how the meeting was conducted. Many were at their first board meeting. Will they ever come back?

When Danny abruptly declares that the meeting is adjourned and walks out, the rest of the board should stay seated. After he leaves the room, the Vice-President should say, "The board has not adjourned, because the board did not vote."

And then she should ask, "Is there a motion to adjourn?" Probably somebody on Team Danny would make the motion, and another member of Team Danny would second it.

At that point there are six directors present. During discussion, one or more might say that there is more business to be discussed or that more members of the audience wish to be heard. Then the board would vote. The vote might be 3-3. A tie-vote fails, and the meeting is still in progress.

The Vice-President then conducts the balance of the meeting, following the agenda. When business has been completed, the VP asks for a motion to adjourn.