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Who may speak?


mcfarland

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We are a nonprofit organization consisting of individual subordinate "chapters". Two delegates from each chapter map attend our annual meeting and represent that chapter.  Our bylaws provide that "delegates" may speak and vote on questions before the body.  Traditionally, non-delegates have been permitted to speak on questions (but not vote) with permission from their delegation.

 

However, this could result in dozens of non-delegates from one chapter speaking on a particular issue.

 

Does RONR have any direction that would limit the number of delegates and/or non-delegates from one chapter that may speak on any particular issue?

 

Thank you.

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RONR's rule is that only "members" have a right to speak.  Whether your "non-delegates" are "members" or not is a matter for your association to decide.

 

Hint: Can those "non-delegates" vote at your meeting (which sounds like a convention in RONR's sense - check your bylaws)?  You said "No", so  the answer is probably "No, not members".

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Unless there are relevant laws, bylaws, or special rules of order to the contrary, RONR provides that non-members have no right to speak, or to be present for that matter.  There is no limit to the number of delegates from a chapter that may speak on a question, but each member is limited to 2 speeches of 10 minutes each; again, unless you adopt a different special rule of order.  You can, of course, move the previous question or move to limit debate.

 

You do have a custom of allowing non-members to speak, but if a point of order is raised that non-members have no right of participation that custom falls to the ground.

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Does RONR have any direction that would limit the number of delegates and/or non-delegates from one chapter that may speak on any particular issue?

All of the delegates have a right to speak. Non-delegates may speak only at the assembly's discretion (a 2/3 vote is required if a motion is pending). The assembly is free to limit the number of non-delegates to speak from each chapter.

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