Final answer:
The chairman can defer a ruling on a point of order to the assembly for a decision. A chairman can consult with a parliamentarian before making a ruling, but the parliamentarian cannot rule on a point of order as their role is advisory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rulings on Points of Order in Legislative Bodies
1) If a chairman at a meeting does not wish to make a ruling on a point of order, they may choose to refer the matter to the committee or the assembly for a decision. This process involves allowing the members of the assembly to debate and then vote on the point of order, effectively taking the responsibility away from the chairman to make a unilateral ruling.
2) Before making a ruling, a chairman could consult with the chamber's parliamentarian for advice and clarification on the procedural rules. The parliamentarian is typically a legal expert well-versed in the intricacies of the chamber's rules but does not have the authority to enforce their interpretation.
3) A parliamentarian cannot rule on a point of order because their role is advisory rather than authoritative. They provide guidance on the rules of the legislative body, but it is the body itself, through its presiding officer or collective decision-making process, that has the power to issue rulings on points of order.