Robert's Rules of Order --- A Quick Introduction

Eric Vought evought@thestatesmen.org at Lawrence County Ozarks Property Rights Congress--- 7 February 2012 What is Robert's Rules of Order?
A codification of parliamentary law--- the rules of order for meetings and deliberative assemblies written in the late 19th century; originally based on British parliamentary law modified for U. States.

What is its purpose?

To move forward the business of the organization and of the majority while preserving rights of strong minorities. Whether these forms be in all cases the most rational or not is really not of so great importance. It is much more material that there should be a rule to go by, than what the rule is, that there may be a uniformity of proceeding in business, not subject to the caprice of the chairman, or captiousness of the members. It is very material that order, decency, and regularity be preserved in a dignified public body. [emph. Mine]

Bylaws/Charter vs. Rules of Order

Rules of Order where they don't conflict; Special rules of body/organization come first

Officers: Chairman, Secretary, Parliamentarian Quorum

A minimum number of people/members assembled necessary to conduct business; protects the rights of people not present at a meeting to not be superseded by a minority who happen to be at a particular meeting; usually with rules about notice and process for special meetings.

Order of Business
RONR10 pp 25 agenda

Motions
Unit of activity by members a formal proposal introducing an item of business or affecting the current business Be recognized by the chair; gain the floor; usually rise State the motion formally; may require a second; chair restates; motion is acted on Pending->debate->adopted/carries or lost/rejected Motions may be in order or not in order; precedence of motions Privileged - Primary Secondary (see cheat sheet or back of book) Amend, dispose, table, commit, etc. Generally, everything is addressed to the chair, not to the body

Voting/Adopting
Puts the Question/Call the Question Voice vote viva voce; Support first, then (always) oppose Call for division Unanimous consent (Without objection... If there is no objection...) Most motions require simple majority; actions which strip rights, constrain debate, or change normal rules require 2/3 Even a unanimous vote cannot violate fundamental rules

Nominations
Call for nominations Mr./Mrs. Chairman, I nominate... Second Move that nominations close Vote One nomination, accept by acclamation

Caucus/Convention
Temporary officers ->elect permanent officers Convention bootstraps and elected officers take over

Links/References
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 10th Edition. General Henry M. Robert. Da Capo Press. 2000. ISBN 0-7382-0307 (paperback). 11th Edition now available. ISBN Robert's Rules Official Site http://www.robertsrules.com/ Online 4th Edition - http://www.rulesonline.com/ Cheat Sheets http://www.robertsrules.org/ www.dummies.com/how.../roberts-rules-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.htm http://www.jimslaughter.com/robertsrules.htm