Mr

[Guest Scott Rosenberg]

I was asked to explain a new bylaw that I introduced that was up for a vote.  After I was done speaking and voting members of an executive committee had an opportunity to ask questions, a gentleman that was not on the executive committee and had no voting rights gave a long winded opinion of why he did not think that this bylaw was a good one.  This was unsolicited.  I am wondering, under Roberts Rules, whether or not he had the right to speak at that time?

[SaintCad]

By the consent of the committee?  Yes.  I think it's by unanimous consent but I don't have my RONR handy so I can't give you the details.

[Guest Scott]

I do not think the committee gave him consent.  He was not solicited to respond..he is not a voting member of the committee... 

 

[Alexis Hunt]

If nobody objects, then the consent is implicit (though not ideal). Any member of the committee could raise a point of order that a nonmember cannot speak at committee meetings.

[Josh Martin]

16 hours ago, Guest Scott Rosenberg said:

I am wondering, under Roberts Rules, whether or not he had the right to speak at that time?

No, he certainly did not have the right to speak at that time. Only members of the Executive Committee have a right to speak in meeting of the Executive Committee. As noted, the Executive Committee may permit non-members to speak if it wishes to do so. Since it appears this was not done, the chair should have called the speaker to order.