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How can an attorney or parliamentatian speak at a meeting?


Anthony

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On 2/17/2024 at 1:44 PM, Anthony said:

Some board members have decided to retain an attorney/parliamentarian.  How is this person allowed to speak at a meeting when only members of the executive board are allowed to participate?

With the permission of the assembly in session (i.e., the board) any non-member may be present and may be heard. 

This is usually accomplished by unanimous consent, but if anyone objects, a majority vote can allow a non-member to be heard, as long as it is not during debate on a pending motion. 

Speaking in debate would require a suspension of the rules, and therefore a two-thirds vote.

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Putting it in other words: if this person starts to speak at a meeting, you can interrupt to object to a non-member speaking. The chair should then hold a vote on whether to allow the non-member to speak. If it is during a debate/discussion on a motion, that requires a two-thirds vote to allow the non-member to speak. If no motion is on the floor, then it requires a majority vote.

This doesn't prevent the non-member from quietly discussing with those who brought them, as long as tjis does not disturb the meeting.

If you wish, and depending on any laws or rules that may apply regarding public attendance, you could also make a motion to remove non-members from the meeting.

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