Outside Information

[Guest Jarrod]

What does Robert's Rules of Order have to say in regards to outside information? Is it the Speaker's discretion to ommit outside information from discussion? Or does a Standing Rule of Order need to be put into place?

[Chris Harrison]

It depends on what you mean by "outside information."  Generally speaking, anything in debate is fair game as long as it  is germane to the question being considered and decorum isn't being violated (RONR pp. 391-394).

[Guest Jarrod]

The context is during our election meeting in which we elect a Speaker of the House. As it stands "outside information" would include anything NOT included within the presentation from the candidate or in the Question and Answer portion that follows.

 

[jstackpo]

Hmm...  since the "presentation" and following "Q&A" essentially amount to debate on the merits of the nominee, it would seem that anything goes  --  excepting slander, I suppose.  Debate on nominations (nominees, actually) is proper - tinted page 18, #49.

[Josh Martin]

The context is during our election meeting in which we elect a Speaker of the House. As it stands "outside information" would include anything NOT included within the presentation from the candidate or in the Question and Answer portion that follows.

 

Based on this additional information, it is not in the Speaker's discretion to forbid the introduction of "outside information." There is no such thing as a "standing rule of order." This seems to be confusing two different types of rules - standing rules, which deal with administrative details, and rules of order, which deal with parliamentary procedure.

 

The assembly may adopt a rule of order for the meeting on this subject if it wishes, which would require a 2/3 vote. If such a rule was to last beyond the meeting, that would take a special rule of order, which requires a 2/3 vote with notice or a vote of a majority of the entire membership without notice.