Chair's discretion in assigning committee chiarmen.

[Gary Novosielski]

Chris H., on 11 June 2012 - 05:40 PM, said, on the subject of the "prohibition" on co-chairs:

RONR p. 176 ll. 1-6.

Following up on this topic, originally raised in the General Discussion forum:

The case might be made that the above citation is not an outright prohibition. The practice is called "anomalous" rather than "prohibited".

A bylaws provision could certainly allow it. But then some questions occur to me:

• In the absence of such a bylaws provision, can (an ill-advised majority of) the assembly simply resolve to establish a committee with co-chairmen?
  
• If so, to walk further out on that limb, in the absence of such a resolution, may the chair nevertheless designate co-chairmen (in cases where the chair appoints the committee)?
  
• And to walk back a little, may the chair instead designate a vice-chair (as recommended in the cited material) if he feels the committee's task makes it "advisable" (in his sole judgment)?
  

Note that the citation refers to the paragraph on how the chair designates the chairman and members.

Any thoughts?

[Sean Hunt]

Following up on this topic, originally raised in the General Discussion forum:

The case might be made that the above citation is not an outright prohibition. The practice is called "anomalous" rather than "prohibited".

A bylaws provision could certainly allow it. But then some questions occur to me:

• In the absence of such a bylaws provision, can (an ill-advised majority of) the assembly simply resolve to establish a committee with co-chairmen?
  

​

I would say that they could not do so by majority vote, applying Principle of Interpretation #6 to RONR itself; it says to appoint "a chairman" rather than "one or more chairmen" (and indeed, at one point a little later on says "to designate one of them as chairmen"). This rule could be overruled by special rule of order (but it could not be suspended as its effect would extend beyond the session).

• If so, to walk further out on that limb, in the absence of such a resolution, may the chair nevertheless designate co-chairmen (in cases where the chair appoints the committee)?
  

​

No, by the same logic as the above.

• And to walk back a little, may the chair instead designate a vice-chair (as recommended in the cited material) if he feels the committee's task makes it "advisable" (in his sole judgment)?
  

Yes, based on the text in the same citation.