alternate not seated

[Guest Frank]

My question is , " after the public comment section has been closed, and after a motion is made and seconded. Can unseated alternates comment on the motion?" There is confusion that they can do or say anything short of vote and others agree that they are public and cannot speak after motion is made and seconded.  

[Gary Novosielski]

In the normal type of meeting contemplated by RONR, the public is not present and cannot comment before a motion is made, and there are no alternates.

So this sounds as though this is some sort of municipal council or similar group with special rules that provide for alternates and their rights at a meeting.

Can you shed more light on this scenario?

[chipfrey@comcast.net]

3 hours ago, Gary Novosielski said:

In the normal type of meeting contemplated by RONR, the public is not present and cannot comment before a motion is made, and there are no alternates.

So this sounds as though this is some sort of municipal council or similar group with special rules that provide for alternates and their rights at a meeting.

Can you shed more light on this scenario?

Yes, a municiple P&Z meeting. Alternates are needed to cover quorem, but sometimes not needed or "seated". If they aren't seated do they have a right to speak when public comment is closed. 

[Josh Martin]

4 hours ago, Guest Frank said:

My question is , " after the public comment section has been closed, and after a motion is made and seconded. Can unseated alternates comment on the motion?" There is confusion that they can do or say anything short of vote and others agree that they are public and cannot speak after motion is made and seconded.  

RONR does not discuss alternates except in the context of a convention. In that context, alternates do not have any rights unless and until they are properly upgraded to delegates, in which event they have all the right of delegates.

This does not sound like a convention, however, so I think what rights these alternates have is up to your organization’s rules defining the alternates.

5 minutes ago, chipfrey@comcast.net said:

Yes, a municiple P&Z meeting. Alternates are needed to cover quorem, but sometimes not needed or "seated". If they aren't seated do they have a right to speak when public comment is closed. 

You will have to refer to your own rules to determine what rights, if any, an “unseated alternate” has in this assembly. RONR has no guidance on this particular subject, although perhaps the rules concerning alternates in conventions will be of some assistance in interpreting the organization’s rules on this matter. See RONR, 11th ed., pgs. 603-605 for more information.