I have a feeling we all have this one parent that knows everything and is the first to catch a mistake but has a hard time knowing when to just sit down and......
I have been an officer now 2 years and this year will be the Prez and know that as far as by-laws go I can request a meeting with this person to resolve a conflit but that's about it. I need to know is it proper to tell this person "Thank you, let's hear from this person." Also the hurdle I'm over coming- I am THE youngest member on the board. Shouldn't be a issue (wasn't with the voters) but somehow it always comes up. Just need some insite!

PS My husband bought me a gavel for my birthday- something our group REALLY needed!

Have you considered a time keeper for every meeting? Allott a specific amount of time for every topic or speaker and stick to it. That would eliminate the problem of people who rattle on and on. (You're right, every BOD has one!!) Good luck!

It is not a problem until it is a problem. If Robert's Rules of Order is noted as the parliamentary authority in your bylaws then use it. If it is not ammend your bylaws and put it in there. Because of such things happening in many of our units I have advised all the presidents to get the basics down for their meetings. I have also advised them to seek a parliamentarian to be with them at their meetings. If they cannot find a volunteer for them our council will provide them with one for their meetings. We will be holding a parliamentary workshop the end of September for all of our officers and members. Our local chapter of Parliamentarians Association just held a four part workshop at our local library for free. Check and see if that is available in your area. See, if you follow RRO your meetings can flow so nicely and problems like this can be avoided. There are rules that cover discussion, time and order. Check into it. Good luck, sorry this was so long. Best Wishes!

I agree that Roberts Rules of Order would definitely help you. If you'd like some more info I've encountered some websites thru this forum. Try "robertsrules.com". It has general info plus a question & answer forum. "parli.co" also has general info. "constitution.org/rror/rror--00.htm" is a printing of the 1915 edition of RROR.

Take Care.

I have been the one to read RRO ( read the entire book while in the hospital having my son - and we have a three minute time limit to expess thoughts. I had the by-laws ammended to include the RRO as a final sorce (I couldn't believe it was left out when written).
plw- you are right though, it should have mever become this much of a problem and wasn't when this parent was Prez. Of course meetings were ran so awfully disorganized my notes read like a jigsaw puzzle.
I did buy a pocket meeting planner- it highlights RRO- and will bring my little red book with me for the 12 hour drive to my parents. The most fusterating thing, I used my cell phone timer to tell parents of their three minutes and one parent teased me so terribly I think I might look into getting a real timer!

mykidsmom, Well you have done everything right. The only thing I might add is that I have briefed my board on RRO and they know how to use some of the other motions. Our favorite is to "put the question". Which of course stops debate (yahoo!) and puts the question to a vote. We only use it when discussion starts going around in circles. We have invited our "problematic members" to our Robert's Rules workshops. Hmmm.... they can never seem to make it. Keep the cell phone - That is too funny. How does she bring up your age? How crazy!