Originally Posted by rnrn
While I was president of our guild I used this phrase--occasionally needed to rap the gavel to get attention before announcing it: "As a courtesy to the speaker, please keep your side conversations to a minimum"
The whole point is that
conversations should not be going on during a meeting or speaker and
comments should be kept to a minimum. And if anyone is embarrassed to be called on it while they are having their
fun at the expense of others, then so be it.
It is about accountability and those who are disrespectful should be held accountable for their behavior. It is a shame that those in charge at a meeting or sitting next to one of the offenders is shamed into feeling that they should not say anything to the offenders. Quit mulling over & worrying about what/how to say something. Just do it - tell the offenders that their talking is disruptive to the meeting & to please be quiet. Period. Simple, factual, truthful & done!!