THE RIGHT TO SPEAK AT MEETINGS

(from La Scala’s Initial Rules & Regulations)

1. To the maximum extent practical, the posted Board meeting agenda for each meeting shall list the substance of the matters and actions to be considered by the Board.

2. Roberts Rules of Order (latest edition) shall govern the conduct of the Association meeting when not in conflict with the Declaration of Condominium, the Articles of Incorporation or the By-Laws.

3. After each motion is made and seconded by the Board members the meeting Chairperson will permit Unit Owner participation regarding the motion on the floor, which time may be limited depending on the complexity and effect on the Association.

4. Unit Owner participation will not be permitted after reports of officers or committees unless a motion is made to act upon the report, or the Chairperson determines that it is appropriate or in the best interest of the Association.

5. A Unit Owner wishing to speak must first raise his or her hand and wait to be recognized by the Chairperson.

6. While a Unit Owner is speaking, he or she must address only the Chairpeson; no one else is permitted to speak at the same time.

7. A Unit Owner may speak only once on an issue for not more than three (3) minutes and only on the subject or motion on the floor.

8. The Chairperson may, by asking if there be any objection and hearing none, permit a Unit Owner to speak for longer than three (3) minutes, or to speak more than once on the same subject. The objection, if any, may be that of a Board member only and if there is an objection then the question will be decided by the Board.

9. The Chairperson will have the sole authority and responsibility to see to it that all Unit Owner participation is relevant to the subject or motion on the floor.

The above text is extracted directly from the La Scala condominium documents but the following clarifying notes may also be helpful:

- Unit Owners have no vote at the meetings of the Board or committees and their participation is limited to remarks on agenda items being presented to the meeting.

- Unit Owner remarks should be presented in a respectful manner so as to avoid personality conflicts and personal attacks.

- No further debate on a motion is in order after the vote has been taken and announced by the Chairperson.

- A Unit Owner is not permitted to speak a second time on an issue until all persons desiring to be heard the first time have had an opportunity to speak.

- The maker of the motion or the person presenting the subject is allowed to speak last.