They may even try to read regulations or other papers to take over the meeting. They have effectively used this tool to divide others and succeeded in getting off the hook, as well as lessening the power of the group by dividing it. This has happened in utility shut off campaigns which they want to apply to the elderly and not to the core. They would rather discuss your staff, then the issue. It shifts the power and the action to them, because they are controlling the subject and it divides the members from the staff.
Tactics come in many forms.
There are variations of these weepers. Handing out handkerchiefs doesn't win us anything. These items may not have been anything they ever had anything to do with. They are visible projects they can point to though and sound as generous as Santa Claus. And by the way you can't, if that's what you end up believing.