Delegate Assembly Bylaws Appendix: Annual Meeting Rules
At the beginning of each meeting of the Delegate Assembly, the Organizing Committee presents a set of rules for the conduct of business. These rules, which supplement the procedural rules contained in the bylaws, can be amended by majority vote while they are pending and require a two-thirds vote for their adoption.
The Organizing Committee normally proposes the following rules.
- Individuals wishing to be recognized by the chair must go to a microphone on the floor of the auditorium and must state name and institution and, if they wish, constituency represented (e.g., Shakespeare forum, Middle Atlantic region, professional-issues delegate for creative writing programs, ex officio delegate from the DAOC) before addressing the assembly.
- Debate will be limited to twenty-five minutes on each main motion or resolution, exclusive of time devoted to secondary motions (such as amendments). Debate on any other debatable motion, including on an amendment, will be similarly limited to fifteen minutes. If the time to close debate occurs while a member is speaking, however, that member may continue to speak for his or her full allotted time. After debate has been closed on a motion, no further amendments to that motion will be permitted and a vote will be taken.
- Debate will be limited to two minutes per speech for each main motion and one minute per speech for each amendment or other debatable motion; no person may speak a second time on a motion until all who wish to speak have been heard, except to answer questions.
- Every substantive motion must be put in writing, signed by the proponent, and given to the clerk of the assembly before a vote may be taken.
- No more than thirty minutes shall be devoted to the discussion of each report received by the assembly. Each speech shall be limited to one minute, and, except to answer questions, no person may speak a second time until everyone who wishes to do so has spoken once.
- No more than one hour shall be devoted to the open discussion. Each speech shall be limited to one minute, and, except to answer questions, no person may speak a second time until everyone who wishes to do so has spoken once.
- If necessary, a dinner recess may be called by the chair. In any event, the assembly will adjourn no later than 11:00 p.m.
- While election results are being tabulated, the other business of the assembly will proceed.