Robert’s Rules
with Rachel Kerley & Christa Hall
What is Robert’s Rules?
 Proper way to conduct business
 Protects rights of members
 1st published in 1876
 Used in governments, clubs, and businesses
True or False?
The Recording Secretary must record both the member
making the motion and the member who seconds the
motion.
False, the recording secretary should only record the
person making the motion. After the motion is
seconded, the motion belongs to the body.
True or False?
You must be recognized by the Chair to make a motion.
True, if not, the chair can call “Out of Order.”
True or False?
After the motion has been made and seconded, the maker
of the motion can withdraw or rescind it.
False, After the motion is seconded, the motion belongs to
the body. It can only be amended, tabled, postponed,
referred to a committee, or voted upon.
True or False?
All reports must be approved by a vote of the
membership.
False. There is no need to accept or reject committee
reports.
True or False?
All discussion must be made during a motion.
True. No discussion on a particular matter should take
place before the motion has been made or seconded or
after the matter has been voted upon.
True or False?
Motions must be made in the “positive” rather than the
“negative.”
True. You cannot move not to do something.
True or False?
The person who makes the motion may speak both in favor
and in opposition of it.
False, the motion maker must speak in favor of the
motion, but may vote in opposition to it.
Agenda
 President prepares agenda
 Committee Reports (if items to report)
 Any motions to be made
 Should be made public beforehand
Motions
 Main Motion
 Must be seconded, unless they are motions made by a
committee
 Amendable
 Can be:
Voted Upon
Referred to a
Committee
Tabled/Postpon
ed
Amended
Voting
 By Voice
 Show of Hands/Rising
 Secret Ballot (President Votes)
 Consent
 President votes to make or break a tie
 Ties automatically fail
Referred to a Committee
 Requires a Second
 Amendable
 Debatable
 Majority vote
Tabled vs. Postponed
Tabled
Postponed
Second
Second
Not amendable
Amend time element
Not debatable, but must give
reason
Debatable
Majority vote
Majority vote
Indeterminate amount of time
Postponed to next meeting
Not discussed or taken off table at
next meeting to kill motion
“Postpone indefinitely” to kill
motion
Amended
 Second
 Amendable, must be related to original amendment
(Amendmentception!!!!)
 Debatable
 Insert words, add words at end, strike words, strike/insert
Adjournment
 Made and seconded
 Not debatable
 End of all business
Do what’s best for your chapter!
True or False?
“I make a motion to…” and “I move to…” are both correct.
False. By “moving” you are making a motion. “I move
to…” is correct.
True or False?
Move to “question” or “previous question” ends all debate
immediately and the main motion must be voted upon.
False. “Question” must be seconded and voted upon
before debate on the main motion can end.
True or False?
When a tie occurs, the president may still abstain from
voting.
True. The president can make or break a tie, but does not
have to. All ties automatically kill the motion.
Southeast District
STRENGTH
EXCELLENCE
DIVERSITY