HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm. 24-050 - Basics of Robert's Rules Robert's Rules of Order Comm. 24-050
The Basics for Small Boards
Parliamentary procedure is a set of rules for conducting orderly meetings that accomplish goals
fairly. Benefits of parliamentary procedure include the following:
•Justice and courtesy for all
• Maintenance of order
• Consideration of one item at a time
•All sides get heard
•Ability for each member to provide input
• Majority rule (votes do no need to be unanimous)
• Protection of the rights of all members including the minority
Basic Principles
•A quorum must be present for business to be conducted
•All members have equal rights, privileges and obligations
• No person should speak until recognized by the chair
• Personal remarks or side discussions are out of order
• Only one question at a time may be considered, and only one person may have the floor at any
one time
• Members have a right to know what the pending question is and to have it restated before a vote is
taken
• Full and free discussion of every main motion is a basic right
•A majority decides a question except when a rule provides otherwise
•The Chair should remain impartial.
Three Steps of Parliamentary Debate
• Fact finding:Acceptance of public testimony, participant presentations and other input of
information. This is the board member's opportunity to ask factual questions to complete their
understanding of the matter
• Discussion: Once fact finding is complete, a board member may make a motion to open
discussion amongst the board members. Following a second from another board member, the
board members are free to discuss the motion amongst themselves.
•Vote: Once discussion has concluded,the board members will vote on the motion. The vote will
close discussion on this motion.
Basic Definitions
Motion—A formal proposal made to bring a subject before an assembly for its consideration and
action. Begins with"I move that..."
Second—A statement by a member who agrees that the motion made by another member be
considered. Stated as"Second,"or"I second the motion." A member may provide a second for
purposes of opening discussion without agreeing with the motion.
Amendment—Before the vote is taken on a motion, it may be amended by:
• Striking out words
• Inserting or adding words
• Striking out words and inserting others in their place
• Substituting one (1) paragraph or resolution for another
Presiding officer/Chair-The individual who facilitates the meeting, usually the Chair.
In the absence of the Chair,the Vice Chair is next.
Role of the Chair
•To introduce business in proper order per the agenda
•To recognize speakers
•To determine if a motion is in order
•To keep discussion focused on the pending motion
•To maintain order
•To put motions to a vote and announce results
General procedure for Handling a Main Motion
•A member must obtain the floor by being recognized by the chair
• Member makes a main motion
•A motion must be seconded by another member before it can be considered
• If the motion is in order,the chair will restate the motion and open debate
•The maker of a motion has the right to speak first in debate
•The main motion is debated along with any secondary motions that are debatable
• Debate on secondary motions take precedence over debate on the main motion and must be
decided before debate on the main motion can continue.
• Debate is closed when:
Discussion has ended, or A 2/3 vote closes debate.
•The chair restates the motion, and if necessary clarifies the consequences of affirmative and
negative votes
•The chair calls for a vote by asking"All in favor?"Those in favor say"Aye."Then asking"All
opposed?"Those opposed will say"no". In the alternative,the Chair may call for a roll call vote
where members vote individually in succession.
•The chair announces the result
General rules of Debate for small Boards
•All discussion must be relevant to the immediately pending question
• No member should speak more than twice to each debatable motion.The second time takes
place after everyone wishing to debate the motion has had an opportunity to speak once
•All remarks should be addressed to the chair-no cross debate is permitted
• Debate must address issues not personalities
•When possible,the chair should let the floor alternate between those speaking in support and
those speaking in opposition to the motion
• Members may not disrupt the assembly
• Discussion is limited to board members and does not include audience members or others
Reminders for Recorded Discussions
• Members should speak one at a time and not interrupt one another
• Members should state their name before speaking so the recording is clear
• Members should wait to be announced or called upon by the Chair before speaking