WHAT AND WHY ROBERT’S RULES
It is a set of rules for conduct
at meetings, that allows everyone to be heard
and to make decisions without confusion.
What Is Parliamentary Procedure?
Why is Parliamentary Procedure Important? Because
it's a time tested
method of conducting business at meetings and
public gatherings. It can be adapted to fit the needs of any organization.
Today, Robert's Rules of Order newly revised is the basic handbook of operation
for most clubs, organizations and other groups.
So it's important that everyone know these basic
rules!
ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER
The fundamental right of deliberative assemblies require all
questions to be thoroughly discussed before taking action!
The assembly rules - they have the final say on everything!
Silence means consent!
Over all Goal:
To bring order out of chaos,
So he decided to write Robert's Rules of Order, as it came to be
called .
HISTORY AND ORIGINS
1876
Robert's Rules of Order is the short title of a book, written by Brig. Gen. Henry Martyn
Robert, containing rules of order intended to be adopted as a parliamentary
authority for use by a deliberative assembly.
Currently in its eleventh edition and published under the name Robert's Rules of
Order Newly Revised, it is a widely used parliamentary authority in the Englishspeaking world.
The first edition of the book, whose full title was Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for
Deliberative Assemblies, was published in February 1876 by then U.S. Army
Colonel Henry Martyn Robert (1837–1923) with the short title Robert's Rules of
Order placed on its cover.
ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER
Provides common rules and procedures for deliberation and debate in
order to place the whole membership on the same footing and
speaking the same language. The conduct of ALL business is
controlled by the general will of the whole membership –
the right of the deliberate majority to decide. Complementary is the
right of at least a strong minority to require the majority to be
deliberate - to act according to its considered judgment
AFTER a full and fair "working through" of the issues
involved. Robert's Rules provides for constructive and
democratic meetings, to help, not hinder, the business
of the assembly. Under no circumstances should
"undue strictness" be allowed to intimidate members
or limit full participation.
Robert's Rules provides rules and procedures that allow a deliberative
assembly to
make its decisions efficiently, but with all due regard for the rights of the
minority.
Following the rules ensures a fair and more achievable outcome without
wasting time, but remembering all the details of parliamentary
procedure can be a tall order.
Keeping some quick reference material on hand when you enter a meeting
will ensure you have the important information you need to effectively
and
democratically achieve the business of the assembly (Council)
i.e. Agendas, reports, Robert's Rules of Order checklists, etc.
ROBERT'S RULES FOR SETTING AN AGENDA
At the foundation of every good meeting is a good meeting plan, or
agenda. And Mr. Robert is the man with the plan. Robert's Rules
provides your group with a standard order of business, which is
simply a sequence for taking up each different class of business
in order:
Our Council’s agenda is very similar to his example
The agenda and all committee reports are merely
recommendations! When presented to the assembly and the
question is stated, debate begins and changes occur!
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RULES THAT AN
ORGANIZATION CREATES
When it comes to making rules under Robert's Rules, one rule stands out: A group
is free to adopt whatever rules it may want or need as long as the procedure for
adopting them conforms to any rules already in place or to the general
parliamentary law.
The reason for having rules in the first place is so that you and your
fellow group members can mutually agree on governance (that is,
who your leaders are, how you choose them, when you have your
meetings, and so forth), procedures for arriving at group decisions,
and policy covering the details of administration for your
organization.
Different situations call for different types of rules. Robert's Rules
classifies rules based generally on their application and use and on
how difficult they are to change or suspend:
TYPES OF RULES UNDER ROBERTS RULES
Charter: The charter may be either your articles of incorporation or a charter issued by a
superior organization if your group is a unit of a larger organization. A corporate charter
is amendable as provided by law or according to provisions in the document for
amendment. A charter issued by a superior organization is amendable only by the
issuing organization.
Bylaws: The bylaws are fundamental rules that define your organization. Bylaws are
established in a single document of interrelated rules.
Rules of order: Rules of order are written rules of procedure for conducting meeting
business in an orderly manner and the meeting-related duties of the officers. Because
these rules are of a general nature about procedure rather than about the organization
itself, it's customary for organizations to adopt a standard set of rules by adopting
a parliamentary authority such as Robert's Rules.
Standing rules: These rules are related to the details of administration rather than
parliamentary procedure. Motions your group adopts over the course of time related to
policy and administration are collectively your standing rules.
Robert's Rules also mentions custom, referring to unwritten rules followed in actual
practice. But because they're not written, they're not considered a "class" of rules.
MAKING AND HANDLING MOTIONS FOLLOWING
ROBERT'S RULES
In an organization that's following Robert's Rules,
When that light bulb goes off in your head and you have a great
idea,
You make a motion to get your idea discussed and a decision made.
Here are the eight steps required from start to finish to make a
motion and get the decision of the assembly.
Each step is a required part of the process.
STEP
WHAT TO SAY
1.
The member addresses
the chair.
“Mr./Madam Chairman.”
2.
The chair recognizes
the member.
“The chair recognizes Ms.
Gliggenschlapp.”
3. The member makes a motion.
“I move to purchase a copy of
Robert’s Rules For Dummies for our
president.”
4. Another member seconds the
motion.
“Second.”
STEP
5.
WHAT TO SAY
The chair states the motion.
“It is moved and seconded to purchase a copy
of Robert’s Rules For Dummies for your
president. Are you ready for the question?”
6. The members debate the motion.
“The chair recognizes Ms. Gliggenschlapp to
speak to her motion. . . .”
7. The chair puts the question,
and the members vote.
“Those in favor of adopting the motion to buy
a copy of Robert’s Rules For Dummies for
your president, say ‘Aye.’ [pause] Those
opposed, say ‘No.’”
8. The chair announces the result
of the vote.
“The ayes have it, and the motion carries. A
copy of Robert’s Rules For Dummies will be
purchased for your president.”
MOTION ETIQUETTE
Only one main motion can be pending at a time.
•
•
The mover is always allowed to speak first.
• Only one member can be assigned the floor at a time.
• Recognized by the Chair.
• Members take turns speaking.
• No member speaks twice about a motion until all
members have had the opportunity to speak.
• Everyone gets the right to present, speak to, and vote on
ideas.
MOTIONS OR ACTIONS
 Main Motion. is a formal proposal by a member of a deliberative assembly
that the assembly take certain action.
 Subsidiary motions, which affect the main motion being considered.
 Incidental motions, which affect rules and procedures that are not
specifically tied to a particular main motion.
 Privileged motions, which are urgent matters that must be dealt with
immediately, even if they interrupt pending business.
 Motions that bring a matter again before the assembly.
THE MOTION
A
Motion is proposed by a member of the body, for the consideration of the
body as a whole. With the exception of certain incidental and
privileged motions, the person making the motion, known as the
mover, must first be recognized by the chairman as being
entitled to speak; this is known as obtaining the floor.
Once the mover has obtained the floor, the mover states the motion,
normally prefixed with the phrase "I move." If the motion was in
writing, the mover would say "I move the resolution at the
desk" or "I move the following resolution" and would then read it.
Generally, once the motion has been proposed, consideration by
the assembly occurs only if another member of the body
immediately seconds the motion.
SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS,
Postpone indefinitely
Amend: The motion to amend, in parliamentary procedure, is used
to modify another motion.
Commit
Postpone to a certain time
Limit or extend limits of debate
Previous question
Cloture: aimed at bringing debate to a quick end
Lay upon the table
Place upon the table
INCIDENTAL MOTIONS
Point of order
Appeal
Suspend the rules
Objection to the consideration of a question
Division of a question
Consideration by paragraph or seriatim
Division of the assembly
Motions relating to methods of voting and the polls
Motions relating to nominations
PRIVILEGED MOTIONS
A privileged motion is a motion in parliamentary procedure that
is granted precedence over ordinary business because it
concerns matters of great importance or urgency. Such motions
are not debatable, although in case of questions of privilege, the
chair may feel the need to elicit relevant facts from members.
In order of Precedence:
Fix the time to which to adjourn
Adjourn
Recess
Raise a question of privilege
Call for the order of the day
MOTIONS THAT BRING A MATTER AGAIN
BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY.
Take from the table
Rescind, repeal, annul or amend something previously
adopted
Discharge a committee
Reconsider
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
a board may adopt its own special rules of order and
standing rules so long as they do not conflict with the
society's rules or Laws
Recognition of “one person, one vote” as a fundamental
principle
Provision permitting notice to be sent by electronic
communication, such as e-mail or fax, to members
who consent
subsection on “electronic meetings,” is included in
Robert’s Rules
MISC. CONTINUED
If the president is a member of the voting body, he or she has exactly the
same rights and privileges as all other members have, including the right to
make motions, to speak in debate, and to vote on all questions. So, in
meetings of a small board (where there are not more than about a dozen
board members present), and in meetings of a committee, the presiding
officer may exercise these rights and privileges as fully as any other
member.
The requirement of a two-thirds vote means at least two thirds. As a
consequence, nothing less will do.
The president is to prepare a proposed agenda, but that
becomes binding only if it is adopted by the full assembly
SUMMARY
Robert’s Rules of Order is one man’s presentation and discussion of
parliamentary procedure, that has become the leading authority in
most organizations today.
The basic principles:
• Someone has to facilitate or direct the discussion and keep order.
• All members of the group have the right to bring up ideas, discuss
them, and come to a conclusion/decsion.
• Members should come to an agreement about what to do.
• Members should understand that the majority rules, but the rights of
the minority are always protected by assuring them the right to speak
and to vote.
SUMMARY CONTINUED
All members are equal — they have equal rights and
responsibilities.
The organization is run with impartiality and fairness.
Law and enactment rule the organization, not the whims of the leadership.
The rules are applied equally, impartially, and fairly to all and not just a select few.
The majority rules, but the rights of the minority and absent members are
protected.
Everything is accomplished in the spirit of openness, not secrecy.
Members have the right to know what is going on within the organization by
attending meetings, inspecting the official records, and receiving notices and
reports from committees, officers, and boards.
USING THE RULES ALLOW FOR A QUICKER
MORE EFFICIENT MEETING!!
Parliamentary procedure is the best way to get things done at your
meetings. It will only work, however, if you use it properly.
Remember to:
• Allow motions that are in order (proper).
• Have members obtain the floor properly. (Recognized)
• Speak clearly and concisely.
• Obey the rules of debate.
• Most importantly, BE COURTEOUS.
Thank You
I move to move on!
REFERENCES
RobertsRules.org
Robert's Rules For Dummies, 2nd
Edition by C. Alan Jennings, PRP
Wikipedia
The Original Robert’s Rules of Order Web
Site