SHOOTER Posted April 4, 2019 at 05:32 AM Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 at 05:32 AM Can the president of a non-profit board unilaterally limit the time a board member has to speak on a subject in order to hurry the meeting along? Our by-laws, articles of incorporation and state rules governing non-profits are mute on this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hieu H. Huynh Posted April 4, 2019 at 08:52 AM Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 at 08:52 AM Was the member speaking on the pending motion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Honemann Posted April 4, 2019 at 09:27 AM Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 at 09:27 AM 3 hours ago, SHOOTER said: Can the president of a non-profit board unilaterally limit the time a board member has to speak on a subject in order to hurry the meeting along? Our by-laws, articles of incorporation and state rules governing non-profits are mute on this point. No, nothing in RONR grants the president any such power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted April 5, 2019 at 01:50 AM Report Share Posted April 5, 2019 at 01:50 AM 20 hours ago, SHOOTER said: Can the president of a non-profit board unilaterally limit the time a board member has to speak on a subject in order to hurry the meeting along? Our by-laws, articles of incorporation and state rules governing non-profits are mute on this point. Certainly not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHOOTER Posted April 5, 2019 at 02:30 AM Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2019 at 02:30 AM It hasn't happened yet but I have it on good authority it will happen at our next meeting. Just preparing for it if it does happen. I would like to be standing on a firm foundation when I object. Thank you one and all for the timely answers. I do have another question that may sound silly but i will post it in another thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted April 5, 2019 at 03:55 AM Report Share Posted April 5, 2019 at 03:55 AM Just to be clear, we are saying that the chair does not have the authority to change the time limit on speeches. If your bylaws are silent on this limit, RONR sets it at 10 minutes per speech, and limits the number of speeches a member may make on a given question to two, and the second of those two may only be made after everyone who wishes to has spoken once. The chair does have the authority (and duty) to enforce these limits in order to move the meeting along. Changing the limits would require a vote by the assembly itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted April 5, 2019 at 12:06 PM Report Share Posted April 5, 2019 at 12:06 PM 8 hours ago, Gary Novosielski said: If your bylaws are silent on this limit, RONR sets it at 10 minutes per speech, and limits the number of speeches a member may make on a given question to two, and the second of those two may only be made after everyone who wishes to has spoken once. It sounds like this may be a board meeting, so it should be noted that under the small board rules, it’s still ten minutes per speech, but the number of speeches is not limited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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