Procedures
Leave clients at the door
To maintain the Institute’s reputation for thoughtful, disinterested analysis of legal issues, members are expected to leave client interests at the door. In communications made within the framework of Institute proceedings, members should speak, write, and vote on the basis of their personal and professional convictions and experience without regard to client interests or self-interest. It is improper for a member to represent a client in Institute proceedings and such conduct constitutes good cause for termination of Institute membership. If, in the consideration of Institute work, a member’s statements can be properly assessed only if the client interests of the member or the member’s firm are known, the member should make appropriate disclosure, but need not identify clients. (Council Rule 4.03)
Procedures for Annual Meetings
- All attendees must wear their name badge during all sessions and events. Persons not wearing their name badge are not permitted to enter the ballroom or other event venue.
- All speakers from the floor must state their name, city, and state each time they speak.
- A speaker making a comment or asking a question may speak for up to three minutes.
- A maker of a main motion may speak for up to five minutes and the Reporter may respond for up to five minutes. The maker of the main motion and the Reporter each may speak for one minute in closing.
- Speakers should look for the light on the dais to help keep track of their time limits. When the green light turns yellow, speakers should wrap up their comments; the red light marks the expiration of time.
- Speakers should not make stylistic suggestions from the floor, but should submit them before or after the session.
- Presubmitted motions are ordinarily given priority over other motions. Members should review the Submission Procedures and Deadlines.
- Nonmembers may attend the Annual Meeting, but restrictions apply. If nonmembers are recognized to speak from the floor, they must identify themselves as nonmembers and state their role or the nature of their interest in the project. Nonmembers may not make or second a motion or vote on any matter. See the Policy on Nonmembers at Annual Meetings for additional restrictions and requirements.
- The procedures for the Annual Meeting are set by the President or other presiding officer. In the event of a dispute over proper procedure, if neither the Bylaws nor the Council Rules resolves the matter, then the President or other presiding officer should resolve it in accord with Robert’s Rules of Order.
Voting
- Voting usually is by voice vote. Voting by show of hands is at the presiding officer’s discretion.
- When voting by show of hands, members must hold up their badges, with the back of the badge displayed. Any event tickets or other items stored in the badge holder must be removed when voting so that the back of the badge is visible.
- If a count is necessary, members must leave their badges raised while ALI staff members walk around the ballroom to count votes.
For more information, see Council Rules 9.02 and 9.03.