Yes! If a health center cancels a scheduled Board Meeting, it should be rescheduled to maintain compliance with HRSA governance requirements and the organization’s bylaws.

HRSA’s Compliance Manual (Chapter 19: Board Authority) reinforces that the governing board must meet regularly to exercise authority over the organization’s operations, and that it must also document board activities and decision-making in meeting minutes. Most health centers conduct monthly meetings (12 per year). HRSA allows exceptions, but ONLY in certain circumstances with formal approval and reflected in the HRSA-approved bylaws. For example, boards of organizations receiving an award under section 330(g) may meet less than once a month during periods of the year, as specified in the bylaws, where meetings are not practical due to health center patient migration out of the area. 42 CFR 56.304(d)(2).

If an unavoidable event (e.g., quorum not met, emergency, inclement weather) forces cancellation, document the reason, reschedule the meeting within a reasonable time, record that the meeting was postponed and rescheduled in the minutes of the next meeting, and ensure that key decisions are not delayed beyond HRSA or audit deadlines. Some health centers establish a policy that any cancelled board meetings are to be rescheduled within 30 days. Virtual meetings can also be used, if consistent with bylaws and state laws. 

In conclusion, if your health center cancels a board meeting, you must either reschedule it or document why it was not held and ensure compliance with the minimum meeting frequency stated in your bylaws or HRSA approval. Failing to do so could trigger a governance condition of noncompliance during a HRSA operational site visit (OSV).