Suspend Rule in the Bylaws in the Nature of a Rule of Order

[Larry R.]

Example: The Bylaws state each member may speak twice on a debatable motion for no more than five minutes per speech. This rule does not provide for its own suspension in the bylaws. During a regular meeting, can this rule be suspended and replaced with a rule adopted by a two-thirds vote on a subsidiary motion to extend limits of debate so that each member is permitted to speak up to three times on a debatable motion? I believe the answer is "yes" but would like to have this confirmed please.

[Bruce Lages]

You are correct, that rule may be suspended because it is clearly a rule of order, i.e., a rule concerning the orderly transaction of business during meetings. Rules that are in the nature of rules of order, even if contained within the bylaws, can, in most cases, be suspended via a 2/3 vote (RONR, 12th ed. 2:14, 21).