Speaking when not given the floor

[Guest Art]

If at a meeting of our orginization, a member of the community, who is not an active member of the orginization, comes to the meeting and starts interupting without being given the floor to speak, what are the options of the Chairman?

[Guest Student]

You say "not an active member" but it is not clear whether they actually are or are not a member of your organization. The answer depends on this point.

A non-member a be excluded at any time (according to RONR - there may be laws that supersede that for your organization). This can be done "by a ruling of the chair in cases of disorder" (p.644, ll. 33-34 and further explained n pages 648-649)

If the person is a member, there is a stepwise approach that is explained on pages 644-649. This should be initiated by the chair or a member can rise to a Point of Order. If it persists, then the punishment is determined by the group.

[Guest Art]

We don't have any specific language in our bylaws to determine what constitute a member.  We do however have a requirement, to be deemed an active member and have voting rights, you must attend a set amount of meetings in a rolling calendar year.  With the absence of language to determine what is considered to be membership, we are not sure what determines membership.  This community member has never been to a meeting of the organization, but we are being told they will be coming because a decision was made that they were told about, and did not like.

[Atul Kapur]

If there is ambiguity in determining who is a member then your organization is on surer ground by using the provisions that apply to members.

It seems fundamental that an organization should know who is a member, so I would advise that your organization clarify your bylaws.

[Dan Honemann]

As far as the rules in RONR are concerned, a member of an assembly is a person entitled to attend meetings, to make motions, to speak in debate, and to vote. Based upon what has been posted, it would appear that only these "active" members are members of this organization's assembly.

[Guest Who's Coming to Dinner]

9 hours ago, Guest Art said:

If at a meeting of our orginization, a member of the community, who is not an active member of the orginization, comes to the meeting and starts interupting without being given the floor to speak, what are the options of the Chairman?

The chairman should interrupt this person immediately and tell him or her to be seated and be quiet. If this person is not a member, then the chair should make a statement reminding guests that they are to refrain from speaking at any time. In addition, the chairman has the power to eject any nonmember who disrupts the meeting. In such a case, it may be wise to entertain a motion to recess so the unpleasantness, which may involve calling the police, can be separated from the business of the meeting.

[Richard Brown]

Agreeing with my colleagues, I suggest that this organization amend its bylaws to clarify just how one becomes a "member" and what the distinction is, if any between whatever different classes of members it might have and what rights (and obligations) the members of each class have.  If there is more than one class or type of member, it needs to be spelled out in the bylaws.