General Budget Meeting

[taffy571]

Hi there,

Today Sunday we held out annual budget meeting, we got hung (just trying to cover the cost of our park. Anyway as soon as the meetingstarted after a few moments silence. The President did her speech then said that members would be allowed to come to the mike and dicuss something for 5 mintes twice on one subject, a member said right away that it was a point of order, that in RR when a meeting is held a member can speak on a matter twice at 10 minutes, can you tell me which is correct, to be prepared for next meeting,(Not intil next year, but have a few questions for you to be prepared)

Thanking you in advance

[jstackpo]

The member who said you can speak twice for ten minutes each was correct, although he didn't mention the additional rule that you can't speak for that second time until all other members have had their chance to speak once.

This rule comes into play only when there is something pending, that is, a motion has been made and you are debating it. Was that the case in the meeting you describe?

[JohnR]

If this is a business meeting, then after the officer has reported, a motion should be made to adopt the proposed budget. Members then have an opportunity to speak for or against the proposal, offer amendments, etc. The usual debate rules apply unless the assembly, not the president, decides to curtail them.

What so often happens is that the president (or board) makes a presentation, the members chew it over this way and that, and then the board says it will go back and try again. This is not parliamentary procedure. It's an unfocused waste of time.