Electronic meetings

[Guest Beth Wilson]

During an electronic meeting using a Zoom platform, what is the appropriate way to handle the “chat box”? Does it need to be disabled? Can it be used somehow correctly? We want to follow RR for our meetings but also be sure anyone attending has a voice.

[Josh Martin]

The responses below assume that the assembly in question is authorized to meet in this manner due to a rule in the assembly's bylaws or applicable law/executive orders.

1 hour ago, Guest Beth Wilson said:

During an electronic meeting using a Zoom platform, what is the appropriate way to handle the “chat box”?

It is at the assembly's discretion.

1 hour ago, Guest Beth Wilson said:

Does it need to be disabled?

No, although it certainly could be if the assembly wished.

1 hour ago, Guest Beth Wilson said:

Can it be used somehow correctly?

Certainly. I have seen some assemblies use it for having members type in the text of motions they make. There are likely other uses which could be of benefit to the assembly.

[Guest Puzzling]

2 hours ago, Guest Beth Wilson said:

During an electronic meeting using a Zoom platform, what is the appropriate way to handle the “chat box”? Does it need to be disabled? Can it be used somehow correctly? We want to follow RR for our meetings but also be sure anyone attending has a voice.

The organisation needs to write it's own rules of order for this. 

Also some members maybe cannot use the Chat box  feature (technical or knowledge reasons)  then it should not be allowed.

Zoom does allow phoning in, if one member can only use zoom this way other members (excluding chair and secretary) should only use the features the lowest denominator can use, just to get equality of means.

[Guest Beth Wilson]

A follow-up:

 Is the chat box reserved for only making motions or is it acceptable to allow for conversation, such that someone might express agreement but not want to waste time to raise their hand and be called on? I’m concerned that soft spoken people are being prevented from their “voice” just because it’s a Zoom meeting.

[Josh Martin]

18 minutes ago, Guest Beth Wilson said:

Is the chat box reserved for only making motions or is it acceptable to allow for conversation, such that someone might express agreement but not want to waste time to raise their hand and be called on? I’m concerned that soft spoken people are being prevented from their “voice” just because it’s a Zoom meeting.

To be clear, RONR has no rules whatsoever regarding the use of the chat box feature in Zoom. As a result, how (or if) the feature is to be used is entirely at the assembly's discretion. I merely noted that I have seen some assemblies use it for making motions, and this was not intended to suggest that an assembly is prohibited from using it for other purposes.

If an assembly wishes to use it to permit members to "express agreement but not want to waste time to raise their hand and be called on," it is free to use it for this purpose. So long as its use in this manner is not distracting to the assembly, I do not think it would violate any rule in RONR.

If there is disagreement among the assembly's members regarding the appropriate use of the chat box, then it would seem prudent for the assembly to adopt its own rules on this matter.

Edited February 3, 2021 at 08:03 PM by Josh Martin

[Guest Beth Wilson]

Thank you everyone!