Guest Cheryl Hancock Posted September 28, 2021 at 06:37 PM Report Share Posted September 28, 2021 at 06:37 PM During our public input portion of our board meeting audience members taunt or heckle an individual providing input. How can the decorum be maintained? Can they be removed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. J. Posted September 28, 2021 at 06:54 PM Report Share Posted September 28, 2021 at 06:54 PM On 9/28/2021 at 2:37 PM, Guest Cheryl Hancock said: During our public input portion of our board meeting audience members taunt or heckle an individual providing input. How can the decorum be maintained? Can they be removed? Under RONR there is no right for audience members to even be present. They could be removed. If your board is a unit of government, ask your board's solicitor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted October 1, 2021 at 03:30 AM Report Share Posted October 1, 2021 at 03:30 AM On 9/28/2021 at 2:37 PM, Guest Cheryl Hancock said: During our public input portion of our board meeting audience members taunt or heckle an individual providing input. How can the decorum be maintained? Can they be removed? It is one of the duties of the chair to ensure that decorum is maintained at all times. The chair should not permit audience members to interrupt other speakers, and should call them to order immediately. The chair can order the removal of any non-member who refuses to maintain proper decorum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Elsman Posted October 1, 2021 at 06:16 PM Report Share Posted October 1, 2021 at 06:16 PM The sergeant at arms (hyphens are archaic 😄) and his assistants should be present to enforce the orders of the chair with respect to the guests who are present. RONR (12th ed.) 47:40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted October 1, 2021 at 08:48 PM Report Share Posted October 1, 2021 at 08:48 PM On 10/1/2021 at 2:16 PM, Rob Elsman said: The sergeant at arms (hyphens are archaic 😄) and his assistants should be present to enforce the orders of the chair with respect to the guests who are present. RONR (12th ed.) 47:40. If it's a public body, the sergeant at arms is likely the captain of police. If you're expecting an ill-behaved crowd it's a good idea to ask the police department to have a police officer present, which tends to have a moderating effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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