Keeping order

[PresidentM]

I have read about dealing those who become unruly at meetings. My question is how to handle members who threaten in advance to attend a meeting only to intentionally be disruptive.

[Edgar Guest]

It depends on what you (or they) mean by "disruptive".

 

It might be enough to make sure there will be enough members present to sustain the chair's rulings that their actions are out of order and, if appropriate, to eject them from the meeting.

 

Or, you might want to notify the police.

[PresidentM]

Disruptive means that a rank and file union member stormed into a private meeting for elected officials only although he was asked not to, then became verbally abusive because of personal issues stemming from being removed two terms ago from an elected office, then announced he would come to the next meeting and be disruptive just to embarrass the board, then left when we said we would call the police. If this person actually comes to the next general membership meeting I'm not sure about stating the person's name and having the secretary put it in the minutes will help establish order.

[Edgar Guest]

I'm not sure about stating the person's name and having the secretary put it in the minutes will help establish order.

 

I suspect you're right. But if merely threatening to call the police worked once, it may work again. He may, as a member, have a right to attend the meeting but he has no right to disrupt it.

[Josh Martin]

I have read about dealing those who become unruly at meetings. My question is how to handle members who threaten in advance to attend a meeting only to intentionally be disruptive.

 

The same way as you handle a member who doesn't threaten in advance. You just get to be prepared this way. You can't take action until the disruptive behavior actually occurs.

 

If this person actually comes to the next general membership meeting I'm not sure about stating the person's name and having the secretary put it in the minutes will help establish order.

 

If the member refuses to behave at that point, the assembly may order him removed from the meeting. See RONR, 11th ed., pgs. 646-649 for more information.