Who can speak on a motion that will be presented? Do they have to be dues paying members?

[Guest Linda Davis]

We as a club are getting ready to vote on a motion to suspend our membership in a national organization. A member who has not yet paid her dues wants to speak on the issue. She does not want to pay her dues until she decides if she is going to remain a member. She also wants to invite a speaker from the national organization to speak when the floor opens for discussion on the motion. Do we have to allow a speaker who is not a dues paying member of the club speak?

[Guest Puzzling]

The question for the  member is: issue really a member according to your bylaws.

If she is she has all the rights of members , if she is not a member she has no rights at all.

Only the organization can interpret their bylaws, but we can give here some hints so what do your bylaws say about members and members who have not paid their dues? (Please quote the relevant articles do not paraphrase them)

[Richard Brown]

As far as the rules in RONR are concerned, being delinquent in dues does not cause a member to not be in good standing and does not disqualify or prohibit a member from voting. Any such rule would have to be in your own rules. Without such a rule, all members, whether current or delinquent in their dues, may vote and exercise all rights of membership.

As to who may speak at your meetings, that is a matter solely with in the discretion of your organization. Only members have a RIGHT To speak at your meetings, but by majority vote (or unanimous consent) anyone may be permitted to speak. However, for a nonmember to participate in debate, the rules must be suspended. That requires a two thirds vote unless you have a customized rude to the contrary. In no event can a nonmember be permitted to vote.

[Guest Puzzling]

Sorry forgot

 

27 minutes ago, Guest Linda Davis said:

She also wants to invite a speaker from the national organization to speak when the floor opens for discussion on the motion. Do we have to allow a speaker who is not a dues paying member of the club speak?

The speaker from the national organization has no rights other than the rights that the assembly grants him.

But he is probably the best person to give  one side of the argument, but the assembly can ignore that. 

I am not sure what for vote is needed to allow the (not officially invited) guest speaker to give his arguments I fear it is a 2/3 supermajority.

( a motion to suspend the rules is I think needed)

 

[Richard Brown]

15 minutes ago, Guest Puzzling said:

I am not sure what for vote is needed to allow the (not officially invited) guest speaker to give his arguments I fear it is a 2/3 supermajority.

I answered that question in my comments above. A nonmember may be permitted to speak by a majority vote (or unanimous consent). However, in order for the non-member to participate in debate, the rules must be suspended, which requires a two thirds vote.

Edited to add: It would not be unusual to permit such a guest to make a presentation, but not to participate in debate. That is totally within the control of the assembly. Consent to make a presentation would require a majority vote and permission to participate in debate would require a two thirds vote. Either of those can also be approved by unanimous consent if there is no objection.

Edited February 28, 2021 at 12:11 AM by Richard Brown
Added last paragraph

[Guest Puzzling]

34 minutes ago, Richard Brown said:

A nonmember may be permitted to speak by a majority vote (or unanimous consent)

Where can I find this in RONR? (I was looking forget but could not find it)

I think we were writing our earlier replies at the same time sorry)