A person that wants to address the board but not a board member

[Guest Pam]

We have a person that has asked to attend our board meeting today that wants to present an argument regarding costs for an event the board is hosting.  I understand they would be first on the Agenda, allowed to present their argument and then would be asked to leave prior to any discussion or decision.  Is this correct?

[Rob Elsman]

With the permission of the board, by a two-thirds vote or unanimous consent to Suspend the Rules, this is perfectly acceptable.

[Richard Brown]

9 minutes ago, Guest Pam said:

We have a person that has asked to attend our board meeting today that wants to present an argument regarding costs for an event the board is hosting.  I understand they would be first on the Agenda, allowed to present their argument and then would be asked to leave prior to any discussion or decision.  Is this correct?

To elaborate on the response by reelsman, per the rules in RONR the "guest" may be permitted to attend the meeting and to address the board and even to speak in debate, but the rules for speaking in debate are different.

First, unless your bylaws or rules or custom provide otherwise, guests (non members of the board) have no right to attend or speak at a board meeting, but permission to do attend and/or speak may be granted by a majority vote of the board or, as is more common, by unanimous consent.  However, to permit a guest to speak in debate requires a suspension of the rules, which requires a two thirds vote (or unanimous consent). There is no need for a guest to leave after speaking, but the board may certainly require it.  It is within the board's discretion whether to permit guests to remain or to ask them to leave.

[Atul Kapur]

If they are not participating on debate on a motion, then it just takes a majority vote to allow them to speak. You only need to Suspend the Rules to allow them to debate.

Guest Pam, what you suggest sounds reasonable, but there is no requirement to do it this exact way in in RONR. Your group may have developed a custom to do it this way. Depending on what this organization is, and what laws apply, there may be a requirement to allow public presentations.

[Guest Pam Smith]

Thank you all for your comments.  It is very helpful.  

 

Pam