What does it mean to "yield the floor"?

To "yield the floor" means that a member is allowing another person the opportunity to speak next. This action is a fundamental part of conducting meetings and maintaining order during discussions. Yielding the floor demonstrates respect for the discussion process and acknowledges that others may have valuable contributions to make. It is important for facilitating dialogue and ensuring that various viewpoints can be shared without one speaker dominating the conversation.

In the context of meetings, this concept is crucial as it promotes a level of decorum and organization, enabling participants to engage in a structured and respectful manner. By yielding the floor, members actively participate in the meeting's rules of decorum, which are key to productive discussions and decision-making processes.