Transcript Because Robert Said So! Parliamentary Procedure Explained Paul Clarke Nonprofit Resource Center 23 @ 4 Series - July 23, 2009

Because Robert Said So!
Parliamentary Procedure
Explained
Paul Clarke Nonprofit Resource Center
23 @ 4 Series - July 23, 2009
Parliamentary Procedure
 Traces back to 5th Century England
 1801 Thomas Jefferson compiled
manual
 Widespread use in USA in 1876 when
Robert’s Rules of Order published
 To date 10 Editions published
Rules Governing an Org
1. State & Federal Law
2. Articles of Incorporation
3. Governing Docs of Parent Org
4. By-Laws & Local Constitution
5. Standing Rules
6. Rules of Order
7. Precedent & Custom
Parliamentary procedure
has been described as a “means
of reaching decisions on when
and how power shall be used”
www.associationtimes.com/articles2002/parlpro1102.html
Purposes
 Justice and courtesy for all.
 One thing at a time.
 The rule of the majority.
 The rights of the minority.
http://srpln.msstate.edu/seal/03curriculum/organizing/pp/lesson.htm
Basic Principles

 Equal
Personal
rights,
remarks
privileges
always
& Out
obligations
of Order

 Quorum
Majority must
decides
be apresent
question
to except
act
when to
member’s
basic
rights involved
 Right
full & free
discussion
 One
Two-thirds
vote
required
for motion

question
& one
speaker
at a time
that
deprives
a
member
of
rights
 Member right to know immediate
 pending
Silence gives
consent
question
 Must
Chairbe
should
alwaysby
remain

recognized
chair impartial
to speak
Typical Order of Business

 Call
Special
to order
orders

 Roll
Unfinished
Call / Determination
business
of Quorum

 Adoption
New business
of agenda

 Approval
Program of minutes

 Reports
Announcements
Officers

Adjournment
 Standing committees
 Special committees
Presiding Officer’s Role

To
Determine
remain impartial
if motion in order

Tie
Keep
vote
discussion
only
on motion

Determine
Maintain order
quorum

Introduce
Put motions
business
to votein&order
announce
results
 Recognize
speakers
Determine
Employ unanimous

if motion consent
in order (when
appropriate)
How to Handle a Motion
 Be recognized by chair
 Make motion (must be seconded)
 Here any member may modify
wording. Maker must accept or
reject
 If in order, chair states motion &
opens debate
Types of Motions
 Main
 Subsidiary
 Privileged
 Incidental
Secondary
 Motions that bring a
question again before the
meeting
Debate
 Motion maker goes first
 Debate closed when:
 Discussion ends, or
 Two-thirds vote closes debate
 Chair restates motion
 Chair calls for vote
 Chair announces result
Rules of Debate
Discussion
relevant
question

Personal
attacks
nottopermitted
 May not speak 2nd time until everyone
 Presiding officer must relinquish
wishes to speak has
chair to debate
 Cannot speak more than 2 times, and
 When
alternate for/against
more possible
than 10 minutes

Members
maynot
notpermitted
disrupt assembly
Cross debate
Cannot
against
own
motion with

Rules
of speak
debate
can be
changed
(can vote against)
two-thirds
vote
Web Resources
 http://www.rulesonline.com/
 http://www.robertsrules.org/
 http://www.parlipro.org/
 FAQs
 http://www.robertsrules.com/faq.html
 Adopting:
 http://www.robertsrules.com/authority.html