I don't think there is much you can do to stop someone from speaking, what I would suggest is letting them bring up their topic. If the discussion goes on for longer than 5 minutes, let the audience know that in the interest of keeping the meeting on schedule you would like to put the issue on next month's agenda. You could say something about how you know everyone's time is valuable , but want to give members enough time to debate this issue so it would be best to put it off until the next meeting. Or, you could ask for volunteers for a sub-committee to work on the issue and bring a recommendation back to the next meeting.
Then, you might be able to get that person's issue addressed before your next meeting (or at least can plan for it).
You may also want to let the parent who wants to bring up the issue know that you really need to stick to your time limit and already have a full agenda. If the issue can't be addressed quickly, can it wait until next month or only be brought up at your meeting to ask for volunteers to help resolve it. This would save the person some embarassment at your meeting and not make you come across as the "PTO Queen." However, sometimes we do need to cut people off and move on -- it's an ugly part of the job, but most memberes do appreciate it.
unless you "adopt" the agenda (by voting on it as which items and the order that you will be presenting them to your membership), it doesn't have to be adhered to.
RONR doesn't set a time limit on speaking/debating. Your org. needs to do that in its standing rules or at the outset of the evening/meeting. You can usually get the membership to agree to a 3 or 5 minute time limit using unanimous consent.
If someone is requesting to be on the agenda, but you are very hesitate. The agenda is already posted and the items on it are important and will probably take the entire time alloted. If this person is so set on speaking is there a time limit that we are required to give them? I think somewhere on here I was told 3 minutes. I can't find it in the book though. I need advice quickly. Meeting is soon and this parent is going to be a hand full.
