Guest Cathy Posted June 17, 2017 at 03:14 AM Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 at 03:14 AM Is it true that a person designated to be the parliamentarian at a meeting cannot talk on any motions put to the meeting or vote other than by ballot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted June 17, 2017 at 03:24 AM Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 at 03:24 AM Yes that is true for a member who is serving as the assembly's parliamentarian (RONR p. 467 ll. 8-19). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rev Ed Posted June 17, 2017 at 05:14 AM Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 at 05:14 AM A person who is not a member of the organization would have no rights of membership - including not being able to vote at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted June 22, 2017 at 08:00 PM Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 at 08:00 PM (edited) On 6/16/2017 at 10:14 PM, Guest Cathy said: Is it true that a person designated to be the parliamentarian at a meeting cannot talk on any motions put to the meeting or vote other than by ballot? Guest Cathy, as Chris Harrison and Rev Ed pointed out, the rule in RONR is that a member parliamentarian should not make motions. speak in debate or vote except when the vote is by secret ballot. See page 467 of RONR. However, there are ways "around" that prohibition if the society wants to allow its "member parliamentarian" to participate more fully. See, for example, the following language on page 254: "Before rendering his decision, the chair can consult the parliamentarian, if there is one. The chair can also request the advice of experienced members, but no one has the right to express such opinions in the meeting unless requested to do so by the chair." Perhaps, rather than having an official member parliamentarian, the society can not decide not to have one and the chair can instead, when he feels the need, call on an "experienced member" knowledgeable in parliamentary procedure for advice. Another method, which I have seen used and discussed in this forum, is to adopt a special rule of order allowing a member parliamentarian to participate in the proceedings fully or to whatever extent the society establishes. Edited to add: The assembly can also adopt a motion to suspend the rules at a particular meeting to permit the member parliamentarian to participate more fully or even completely in the meeting. That would have to be done on a case by case or meeting by meeting basis. Edited June 22, 2017 at 08:02 PM by Richard Brown Added last paragraph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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