Alternate spokesperson

[Guest Dee]

When a person is chosen to be a representative for a team who is more experienced about community issues, is it permissible for him/her to speak on behalf of another at a large meeting? The time limit is set for each speaker.

So if the representative, Jeff, takes the floor to ask another person's question, does the person with the question have to be standing by the side of the spokesperson?  How often can the representative, Jeff, have the floor to speak for others?  

Your direction is most appreciated. 

[Guest Zev]

Quote

If the speaker consents to the interruption, the time consumed will be taken out of his allowed time. The chair therefore asks if the speaker is willing to be interrupted, and if he consents, directs the inquirer to proceed. Although the presiding officer generally remains silent during the ensuing exchange, the inquiry, the reply, and any resulting colloquy are made in the third person through the chair. To protect decorum, members are not allowed to carry on discussion directly with one another.

RONR 11th edition, page 295. There are no parliamentary-related rules as to the two other issues.

[Atul Kapur]

RONR clearly states that one person cannot give (Or "yield") their opportunity to speak or any of their speaking time to another person. In other words, your right to speak is not transferable.

So Jeff, assuming he is a member of the assembly that is meeting, only gets the chance to speak as himself. Jeff cannot take or be given Kim's chance to speak.

There are some ways Jeff could interrupt Kim and make points in the form of a question. The citation for that is near the passage quoted above.

[Richard Brown]

The only way to permit one member yield time to another member in debate is to suspend the rules. A motion to suspend the rules requires a two thirds vote or unanimous consent.