Robert’sRules of Order

Marv Nelson

SVP, Strategic Initiatives

Session Mandate

Review 704 pages of parliamentary minutiae

AND

Make it fun!!!

History

• English Parliament• American settlers• Thomas Jefferson’s Manual of Parliamentary Practice

Henry Martyn Robert

• 1876• Engineer• Instant bestseller

Key Source

Robert’s Rules in Plain Englishby

Doris Zimmerman

Robert’s Rules Purpose of Balance

• Right of the majority to decide• Right of the minority to be heard• Rights of individual members• Rights of absentees• Help, not hinder, decision making• Transact business

NOT TO EXPLOIT OR SHOWCASE KNOWLEGDGE OF PARLIAMENTARIAN LAW!

Basic Rules

• Rights of the organization supersede the rights of the individual

• All members are equal with equal rights• A quorum must be present to conduct business• Number to get there stated in bylaws• Majority rules• Silence is consent• Majority is of the number of members voting-7/5/2

Basic Rules

• One speaker at a time• Allow full debate• Once decided, issue over for that meeting• Stay on the issues and facts, never personal

Effective Meetings

Role of the Chair– Start on time– Have an agenda and stick to it– Be prepared– Be in control– Be impartial

Meeting Agenda

• Call to order• Welcome• Minutes of previous meeting• Reports• Unfinished business• New business• Adjourn

Emerging Association Trend

Strategic agenda

vs.

Operational agenda

Minutes – Do Record

• All adopted or defeated motions• Names of motion makers• Names of all members giving reports and their topics• Names of all elected or appointed members• Tally of all votes

Minutes – Don’t Record

• Discussions and opinions expressed• Motions withdrawn• Entire reports-no attachments

Minutes – Other

• Be self serving• Look Back Rule — “5 years by strangers”

Minutes – First Paragraph

• Kind of meeting• Name of organization• Date and place• Presence of the Chair and Secretary or their replacements• Presence of a quorum• Time of meeting• Minutes approved or corrected

Minutes – Final Paragraph

• Adjournment• Time of adjournment

Motions – Proceed with Care

• Main motion-begins with “I move”, calls for action step• Secondary motion-while the main motion is on the floor

and before the main motion is decided• Privileged motion-emergencies, usually to recess or

adjourn, or for lunch

Making Motions

• Address the Chair• Recognized by Chair• Make the motion – “I move…”• Motion is seconded• The Chair states the motion• If complicated, submit the motion in writing• Debate follows• Chair restates the motion and calls for vote• Chair announces the vote

Voting

• Majority is the basic default rule – except if a higher or lower % is specifically required

• Plurality is the largest # of received votes• Majority = 50% + 1• Chair may or may not vote• A tie vote loses – does not meet 50% + 1 requirement

Voting (2)

• Voice vote is the usual method of voting

- Chair: “All those in favor, say ‘AYE’”

- Chair: “All those opposed, say ‘NO’”- Chair decides by what he or she hears- If unsure, may ask for a rising vote (stand up) or show of hands

• A ballot vote can be used only if ordered by the bylaws or ordered by a group vote

• Meant to provide secrecy

Questions?