Can the chairperson/president express their personal opinion during a discussion of a proposed motion?

[Guest Karol]

When discussing a topic during a meeting, is is permissible for the chair/president to express their personal opinion on the topic?

[Gary Novosielski]

In all except small assemblies operating under small board rules:  No it's not permissible.

In committees, it's fine, and in small boards it's fine.

Otherwise, the chair should maintain an appearance of impartiality, which includes not participating in debate, nor voting unless: that single vote would be the deciding one, or on a ballot vote.

If the chair feels compelled to enter into debate, he should step down from the chair; turning it over to, presumably, the vice president, or failing that, some other suitable member; and not reclaim the chair until that question has been disposed of, at least for the time being.

Edited January 6, 2023 at 01:39 AM by Gary Novosielski