Public input during meetings

[Guest Pat]

Should the public speaking on an agenda item speak before or after a motion is made?

[Chris Harrison]

That is for the assembly to decide.  It takes a majority vote if the nonmember is speaking when no motion is pending but if there is a motion pending it takes a 2/3 vote to enter into debate on the question.

[Rev Ed]

After would seem to make more sense.  However, the assembly has to approve allowing non-members to speak, either through a vote, by custom, or by law (some municipal governments for example.) 

 

If the assembly does not have to allow non-members to speak by law, then they can refuse to allow it, and unless otherwise required can determine when non-members can speak, for how long each person can speak, for how long the 'public input' will last overall, etc.

[Guest Edgar]

After would seem to make more sense. 

 

Discussion once a motion is made constitutes debate. Do you really want non-members debating a motion? If non-members are going to speak at all, it's probably better if they speak on the "agenda item" and then shut up remain silent once a motion is made and debate begins.

[Josh Martin]

Discussion once a motion is made constitutes debate. Do you really want non-members debating a motion? If non-members are going to speak at all, it's probably better if they speak on the "agenda item" and then shut up remain silent once a motion is made and debate begins.

 

On the other hand, if they speak before the motion is pending, the comments will tend to wander - the same as if members speak when no motion is pending.

 

I think there are advantages and disadvantages to each approach.