Time Limit For Debate

[Richard Crane]

Does RONR give the President any rights to limit the time members may comment on a motion? In order to keep things moving, especially with a hotly debated motion, I'd like to give members a time limit, say 2-3 minutes, so that everyone has a chance to comment. Our bylaws are silent on limiting debate. What does Roberts say?

Thanks.

[Rob Elsman]

Does RONR give the President any rights to limit the time members may comment on a motion? In order to keep things moving, especially with a hotly debated motion, I'd like to give members a time limit, say 2-3 minutes, so that everyone has a chance to comment. Our bylaws are silent on limiting debate. What does Roberts say?

Thanks.

No. The president sticks to his knitting and keeps his trap shut, otherwise. The president doesn't "give" anything; the right to debate belongs to the individual members.

[Guest Colleen Burke]

The motion to Limit (or Extend) Limits of Debate might work for you. See section 15 in RONR. It requires a second, is not debatable, is amendable, and requires a 2/3 vote. If you think that 2/3 of the members in attendance would support it, you could pre-arrange to have a member make the motion (and another second it) and then you have a chance. Without the 2/3 vote though, you're out of luck.

[Guest Nancy N.]

Robert's Rules does already provide limits: for every question, each member gets two speeches, max, with each speech ten minutes tops, per day. If that's too much, go Colleen's route.