Setting time limits for meetings.

[Guest Cindy Stansell]

May the president alone on his initiative limit a board meeting to an hour?

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

The agenda prepared by the Chair can be amended by a majority vote.  

[Rob Elsman]

No.

[Richard Brown]

On 1/25/2023 at 1:23 PM, Guest Cindy Stansell said:

May the president alone on his initiative limit a board meeting to an hour?

If there is going to be a predetermined time to adjourn, that time should be set by the assembly, not by the president or the presiding officer. No one person has the authority to do that.

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

In the organization I'm involved with, as you know, this is routinely part of the agenda set by the chair (unless there is a special rule for a meeting like the monthly meetings which by rule are two hours) and the assembly can change when agenda is being amended prior to adoption.

[Dan Honemann]

On 1/26/2023 at 12:40 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos said:

In the organization I'm involved with, as you know, this is routinely part of the agenda set by the chair (unless there is a special rule for a meeting like the monthly meetings which by rule are two hours) and the assembly can change when agenda is being amended prior to adoption.

But this is of no significance unless this organization to which you refer is the same one with which Cindy Stansell is concerned.  

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

It was an example of how I think it can be done if the chair writes the agenda. 

[Guest Cindy Stansell]

The time limit was not in the published agenda. Instead, the president announced that “I have the power under Roberts Rules of Order, to unilaterally set the time limit for this meeting.” Agenda was accepted but then not followed.

[Richard Brown]

On 1/26/2023 at 7:28 AM, Guest Cindy Stansell said:

The time limit was not in the published agenda. Instead, the president announced that “I have the power under Roberts Rules of Order, to unilaterally set the time limit for this meeting.”

That statement is absolutely false. Ask her for a citation. She won’t be able to give you one. 

[Rob Elsman]

Also, take a look at the discussion on the remedies for abuse of the chair's authority in RONR (12th ed.) 62:2-15.

To invoke Robert's Rules to cover what is tantamount to bullying is just not acceptable.

[Josh Martin]

On 1/26/2023 at 7:28 AM, Guest Cindy Stansell said:

The time limit was not in the published agenda. Instead, the president announced that “I have the power under Roberts Rules of Order, to unilaterally set the time limit for this meeting.” Agenda was accepted but then not followed.

Thank you for these additional facts. There is certainly nothing in RONR which suggests that the President has the power "to unilaterally set the time limit for this meeting."

I would suggest your organization should get a new President.

[Gary Novosielski]

On 1/25/2023 at 2:23 PM, Guest Cindy Stansell said:

May the president alone on his initiative limit a board meeting to an hour?

No.  Unless you have some written rule that supersedes RONR, the president acting alone has no such power.