The Keene City Council is considering a change to our Rules of Order governing whether a member should sit or stand when addressing the Chair during a meeting.
Right now, the requirement is that Councilors stand while speaking, although Councilors who are unable to stand for whatever reason may request that the Chair permit them to stay seated. Though this request for an accommodation is invariably granted, some of us on the Council are trying to change the rule so that asking for an accommodation is no longer even necessary.
Right now, there is a proposal on the table to change the phrasing "shall stand" to "shall stand, if able." However, Councilor Catt Workman, speaking in her role as the Chair of the Monadnock Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging Coalition - has recommend that the phrase "shall stand" in the Rules of Order should be changed to "may stand."
Making this change would be a way for the City Council to set an example for the community of how we can adopt changes that reduce barriers to participation in leadership organizations.
The Council will be taking a vote on this rule change on Thursday, September 19. If this issue is important to you - if accessibility is important to you - please reach out to your City Councilors and tell them why you think they should vote for this change.