QUESTION: My mother is well into her eighties and has significant hearing issues. When she was recently pointed out at a board meeting “put her up front, she can’t hear.” she became very embarrassed and refuses to attend any more board meetings. Can she appoint me, her daughter, as a proxy to attend all meetings?

ANSWER: Yes, you can attend on her behalf. However, a proxy is not the correct form of authorization. Proxies apply only to membership meetings, not board meetings. A power of attorney is the proper document to give you the legal authority you need to attend meetings. Having said that, the board should not make you jump through legal hoops to attend the meeting–a simple written authorization from your mother should suffice. As your mother’s agent, you would also have the right to speak on her behalf at the open forum

Sincerely yours,

Adrian Adams, Esq.
Adams Kessler PLC