"Off the record" request at a general meetin

[Guest Tax the Devil]

At the end of a general meeting, a member decides she wants to speak about a subject that has not be put on the agenda. She requests it be to "off the record". Is that allowed and if so, how is it handled?

[hmtcastle]

At the end of a general meeting, a member decides she wants to speak about a subject that has not be put on the agenda. She requests it be to "off the record". Is that allowed and if so, how is it handled?

Generally speaking, such comments are never on the record (or in the record) to begin with. But if the members are willing to let her make a speech (and they don't have to), the minutes would simply record, at most, that Jane Doe spoke for two hours on the subject of free refreshments at the annual meeting.

If she really wants to speak off the record she should wait until the meeting is over.

[Kim Goldsworthy]

She requests it be to "off the record".

There is no such term as "off the record" in Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (tenth edition, 2000, publ. by DaCapo).

Q. What do you think that phrase means? What happens when something is "off the record"?

(E.g., debate, commentary, opinion, etc., are not to appear in the minutes, by rule. So there would be no difference between "on the record" vs. "off the record" if the issue was "Shall this commentary be included in the minutes?" So that cannot be what is meant, surely.)

[Guest tax the devil]

Generally speaking, such comments are never on the record (or in the record) to begin with. But if the members are willing to let her make a speech (and they don't have to), the minutes would simply record, at most, that Jane Doe spoke for two hours on the subject of free refreshments at the annual meeting.

If she really wants to speak off the record she should wait until the meeting is over.

Thx. Your information is very useful.

[Guest tax the devil]

There is no such term as "off the record" in Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (tenth edition, 2000, publ. by DaCapo).

Q. What do you think that phrase means? What happens when something is "off the record"?

(E.g., debate, commentary, opinion, etc., are not to appear in the minutes, by rule. So there would be no difference between "on the record" vs. "off the record" if the issue was "Shall this commentary be included in the minutes?" So that cannot be what is meant, surely.)

To answer your question, she did not want any of her commentary to be recorded. Neither she or her commentary were on the agenda and she refused to stop talking, basically taking over the meeting. The members were shocked. With a great deal of effort, the President was finally able to gain control. I believe if the minutes state the "So & So" spoke for 20 minutes about "this topic", that should cover it.

Thank you for your input.

[Josh Martin]

To answer your question, she did not want any of her commentary to be recorded. Neither she or her commentary were on the agenda and she refused to stop talking, basically taking over the meeting. The members were shocked. With a great deal of effort, the President was finally able to gain control. I believe if the minutes state the "So & So" spoke for 20 minutes about "this topic", that should cover it.

Her commentary wouldn't be recorded anyway, and whether she was on the agenda is irrelevant. Permission to speak when no motion is pending requires a majority vote or unanimous consent. (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 281, lines 18-20; pg. 287, lines 27-32) Since it seems the member did not receive such permission, I see no need for the minutes to mention her outburst at all. If this happens again, the chair should simply call the member to order when it is clear no motion is forthcoming. (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 32, line 34 - pg. 33, line 27)

[Guest tax the devil]

Her commentary wouldn't be recorded anyway, and whether she was on the agenda is irrelevant. Permission to speak when no motion is pending requires a majority vote or unanimous consent. (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 281, lines 18-20; pg. 287, lines 27-32) Since it seems the member did not receive such permission, I see no need for the minutes to mention her outburst at all. If this happens again, the chair should simply call the member to order when it is clear no motion is forthcoming. (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 32, line 34 - pg. 33, line 27)

Very helpful. Thank you very much.