Robert's rules of order summary version
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The document provides a summary of Robert's Rules of Order, which establishes common rules and procedures for orderly meetings. It aims to allow the majority to decide while respecting the rights of the minority. Key points of order and procedures are outlined, including how to make motions, amend motions, limit or extend debate, and raise points of privilege or order. The fundamental right of deliberative assemblies is that all issues must be thoroughly discussed before taking action.
Robert's rules of order summary version
- 1. Robert's Rules of Order - Summary Version For Fair and Orderly Meetings & Conventions 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. The fundamental right of deliberative assemblies requires all questions to be thoroughly discussed before taking action! The assembly rules - they have the final say on everything! Silence means consent! Procedure: e Obtain the floor (the right to speak) by being the first to stand when the person speaking has finished; state Mr./Madam Chairman. Raising your hand means nothing, and standing while another has the floor is out of order! Must be recognized by the Chair before speaking! ® Debate cannot begin until the Chair has stated the motion or resolution and asked "are you ready for the question?" if no one rises, the chair calls for the vote! e Before the motion is stated by the Chair (the question) members may suggest modification of the motion; the mover can modify as he pleases, or even withdraw the motion without consent of the seconder; if mover modtfies, the seconder can withdraw the second. e The "immediately pending question" is the last question stated by the Chair! Motion/Resolution - Amendment ~ Nlotion to Postpone @ The member moving the "immediately pending question" is entitled to preference to the floor! e No member can speak twice to the same issue until everyone else wishing to speak has spoken to it once! ~ AU remarks must be directed to the Chair. Remarks must be courteous in language and deportment - avoid all. personalities, never allude to others by name or to motives! ~ The agenda and all committee reports are merely recommendations! When presented to the assembly and the question is stated, debate begins and changes occur! - Page 6.1 -
- 2. Robert's Rules of Order sa Summary Version The Rules Point of Privilege Pertains to noise, personal comfort, etc. - may interrupt only if necessary! Parliamentary Inquiry Inquire as to the correct motion - to accomplish a desired result, or raise a point of order Point of Information Generally applies to information desired from the speaker: "I should like to ask the (speaker) a question." Orders of the Day (Agenda) A call to adhere to the agenda (a deviation from the agenda requires Suspending the Rules) Point of Order Infraction of the rules, or improper decorum in speaking. Must be raised immediately after the error is made Main Motion Brings new business (the next item on the agenda) before the assembly Divide the Question Divides a motion into two or more separate motions (must be able to stand on their own) Constder by Paragraph Adoption of paper is held until all paragraphs are debated and amended and entire paper is satisfactory; after all paragraphs are considered, the entire paper is then open to amendment, and paragraphs may be further amended. Any Preamble cannot be considered until debate on the body of the paper has ceased. Amend Inserting or striking out words or paragraphs, or substituting whole paragraphs or resolutions Withdraw/Modify Motion Applies only after question is stated; mover can accept an amendment without obtaining the floor Commit/Refer/Recommit to Committee State the committee to receive the question or resolution; if no committee exists include size of committee desired and method of selecting the members (election or appointment). - Page 6.2 -
- 3. Robert's Rules of Order ~ Summary Version Extend Debate Applies only to the trnrnediately pending question; extends until a certain time or for a certain period of time limit Debate Closing debate at a certain time, or limiting to a certain period of time Postpone to a Certain Time State the time the motion or agenda item will be resumed Object to Consideration Objection must be stated before discussion or another motion is stated Lay on the Table Temporarily suspends further consideration/action on pending question; may be made after motion to dose debate has carried or is pending Take from the Table Resumes consideration of item previously "laid on the table" - state the motion to take from the table Reconsider Can be made onlv by one on the prevailing side who has changed position or view Postpone Indefinite!y Kills the questton/resoiutton for this session - exception: the motion to reconsider can be made this session Previous Question Closes debate if successful - may be moved to "Close Debate" if preferred Informal Consideration MOVE: that the assembly go into "Committee of the Whole" - informal debate as if in committee; this committee may limit number or length of speeches or dose debate by other means by a 2i3 vote, AU votes, however, are formal. Appeal Decision of the Chair Appeal for the assembly to decide - must be- made before other business is resumed; NOT debatable if relates to decorum, violation of rules or order of business Suspend the Rules Allows a violation of the assembly's own rules (except Constitution); the object of the suspension must be specified © 1997 Beverly Kennedy - Page 6.3 -
- 4. Robert's Rules of Order - Summary Version Explanation of Summary Charts Must be Recognized? If Yes, the maker of the motion must be recognized by the Chair in order for the motion to be considered. If No, the maker may call out the motion without being recognized. Requires Second? If Yes, the motion must be seconded by someone other than the maker. If No, the motion does not require seconding. Debatable? If Yes, the motion may be debated from the floor prior to a vote. If No, the motion cannot be debated, and must be voted or acted upon immediately. May be Amended? If Yes, a subsequent motion to amend the motion IS in order. If No, the motion cannot be amended Vote Required Indicates the vote result necessary for the motion to be accepted by the body. If None, no vote is taken or in order. - Page 6.4 -
- 5. Robert's Rules of Order - Summary Version Main Motions These motions are listed in order of precedence. A motion can be introduced if it is higher on the chart than the pending motion. r-. '"0 r-. .s ,.... r-. W W VI ('00. ~'"O "t:I ......- ..aN ~'"O ..c .o~ .....c · 11I00 '0- :::l 0 c: 1'0 .•... '"0 >.c QJ o ::::J ~ :l 0 C"u 1'0 III Q) >c- :::Eu w-w .0 ~E 0:;:1) w to ~ Q) PURPOSE: YOU SAY: I... Q) 0 Close meeting Move to adjourn Yes Yes No No Majority Take break Move to recess for ... Yes Yes No Yes Majority Register complaint Rise to a ouestion of privilege No No No No None Make follow agenda Call for the orders of the day No No No No None Lay aside temporarily Move to lay the question on the table Yes Yes No No Majority Close debate Move the previous Question Yes Yes No No 213 Limit or extend debate Move that debate be limited to ... Yes Yes No Yes 213 Postpone to a certain time Move to postpone the motion to ... Yes Yes Yes Yes Majority Refer to committee Move to refer the motion to ... Yes Yes Yes Yes Majorlty Modify wording of motion Move to amend the motion by ... Yes Yes Yes Yes Majority Kill main motion Move to postpone indefinitely Yes Yes Yes No Majority Make a motion Move that ... Yes Yes Yes Yes Majority - Page 6.5 -
- 6. Robert's Rules of Order = Summary Verston incidental Motions These motions arise incidentally and are decided immediately - ('.. f'.. 1'0. I ID ~ .J:lN Vl 1'. ilJ'"O .:::c OJ ..0 (1)"'0 .c '"0 QJ Q) ~ "'0 I ~·c ~ 0 O"y .•.. ItS 6'l'I »c: .•... ''- o ::l ~M (!) .0 f{j >0"(II ~8C!J QJ a,; (lJ V'l OJ :EE 10 0::: s.... C PURPOSE: YOU SAY: -_.----.------- Enforce rules Point of Order - Yes No No No None Submit matter to assembly Appeal the decision of the chair Yes Yes Varies No Majority Suspend rules Move to suspend _ the rules No Yes No No 2/3 Avoid main motion Object to consideration Yes No No No 2/3 Divide motion Move to divide the question No Yes No Yes Majority Demand a rising vote Move for a r'ising vote Yes No No No None Parliamentary law question Parliamentary inquiry Yes No No No None Request for information Point of information Yes No No No None Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly. No order of precedence. introduce only when nothing else is pending. 1--- •..... "0 OJ OJ .&.IN ~"' 'E 111 1', ~"O .~ c :l 0 1'0. OJ .0 •.. ", (lJ"C ..o<li >.c 1'0. "'C co ~ 1'0. "0 +..I ._ ""on0 it! o ::J ::I O'U OJ Q) .o 10 OJ :::EE >0-(II ~ u 0:::: !11 ClJ OJ I.. 0 113 c::: PURPOSE: YOU SAY: Take matter from table Move to take from the table ... No Yes No No Majority Cancel previous action Move to rescind ... No Yes Yes Yes 2/3 Reconsider motion Move to reconsider ... No Yes Varies No Majority - Page 6.6 - /