Guest Emilee Posted November 10, 2021 at 07:46 PM Report Share Posted November 10, 2021 at 07:46 PM Hi there, When the nominations slate is confirmed, including any nominations from the floor, is the membership able to ask questions of the candidates for the positions? Are there any limitations on this? Thanks so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Mervosh Posted November 10, 2021 at 08:49 PM Report Share Posted November 10, 2021 at 08:49 PM On 11/10/2021 at 2:46 PM, Guest Emilee said: Hi there, When the nominations slate is confirmed, including any nominations from the floor, is the membership able to ask questions of the candidates for the positions? Are there any limitations on this? Thanks so much. A motion for a Q&A would be proper, but in the motion the assembly may want to set some limitations on the number of questions asked, time limits on answering and a total time for the Q&A itself. I think it's going to take a 2/3 vote for this but I may be wrong. Also the chair needs to maintain complete control of this so that it's orderly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Elsman Posted November 10, 2021 at 08:53 PM Report Share Posted November 10, 2021 at 08:53 PM I suggest that any informal Q&A be held outside the context of the business meeting itself. See RONR (12th ed.) 52:28, "Aids to the Crystallization of Opinion". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Mervosh Posted November 10, 2021 at 08:59 PM Report Share Posted November 10, 2021 at 08:59 PM On 11/10/2021 at 3:53 PM, Rob Elsman said: I suggest that any informal Q&A be held outside the context of the business meeting itself. See RONR (12th ed.) 52:28, "Aids to the Crystallization of Opinion". I have a different opinion than my friend, Mr. Elsman. I'm a fan of full debate (including a possible Q&A) right in front of those in the assembly who will likely be voting. It's hard enough getting members to a meeting these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Elsman Posted November 10, 2021 at 09:04 PM Report Share Posted November 10, 2021 at 09:04 PM What I am proposing could be easily accomplished during a recess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Zev Posted November 10, 2021 at 11:14 PM Report Share Posted November 10, 2021 at 11:14 PM I am going to throw my lot in with Mr. Mervosh only because number 53 on Table 2 on pages t18-t19 tells me that the nomination itself is debatable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Elsman Posted November 12, 2021 at 05:36 PM Report Share Posted November 12, 2021 at 05:36 PM I agree that nominations are debatable. My problem is that "Q&A" periods, as I understand them, are structured differently than formal debate and Requests for Information. I think of a "Q&A" period as one kind of more informal device that can be used to help crystallize opinion. In my own opinion, these should be held outside of the business meeting, where the more formal and restrictive rules of debate control. Because of the greater informality of the "Q&A" period, there is a greater chance that things will get out of control. Therefore, the chair must be particularly vigilant about the direction of the discussion, and be ready to intervene when there are dealings in personalities that go beyond the bounds of the election, itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted November 12, 2021 at 05:51 PM Report Share Posted November 12, 2021 at 05:51 PM I understand the point that Mr. Elsman is making, but I agree with Mr. Mervosh and Guest Zev that a "question and answer" period can probably best be provided for in the meeting itself, especially considering that RONR makes is plain that nominations are debatable. There would be nothing wrong, however, with the assembly taking a recess for a few minutes and permitting a question and answer period during the recess. Doing it that way, however, presents an issue of control, since the assembly is technically not in session. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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