Allow a guest to speak

[Guest Lynn]

A guest wants to address an issue at a meeting.  What is the procedure for seating guest?  And are there time constraints?

[Edgar Guest]

Whether, and for how long, the guest can speak is up to the assembly (the members present). If there's a difference of opinion, take a vote. Majority rules.

 

In fact, it's up to the assembly whether the guest can even attend the meeting in the first place.

 

In RONR-Land, guests (i.e. those who aren't members of the body that is meeting) have no parliamentary rights.

 

(But guests are always welcome on this forum.)

[Rev Ed]

And the guest can be seated wherever the Assembly chooses.  If it's a membership meeting, then perhaps on the front row.  If the guest is making a presentation at a membership meeting, then perhaps at the head table.

 

At a Board or Committee meeting, perhaps the member can sit at the table.

 

Of course, non-members have no rights whatsoever as Edgar as already mentioned.  It is entirely up to the group meeting to decide everything about a non-member at a meeting.

[Richard Brown]

As a practical matter, that sort of thing is often left to the discretion of the chairman or is done by unanimous consent at the suggestion of the chairman or another member.  It shouldn't normally be a big deal.