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Read Tips - “Robert’s Rules of Order” 2023
We wrote this 1-2 page Explainer on Robert's Rules for beginners.Main idea: Robert’s Rules of Order are fair, democratic, efficient and orderly.
This allows large groups to quickly discuss and agree, by voting.
An orderly meeting has an Agenda, or list of topics to discuss, run by a Chair
Only one thing (a motion) can be discussed at a time
Everyone gets to know what is going on. Listen, Don’t interrupt, unless it’s urgent
Everyone gets to comment once, if they wish, before people get to comment twice
A motion is the topic under discussion. The Chair recognizes a person, who makes the motion.
Motions are generally in the form of:
“I move…that (Who) is going to (What) by (When) for (How much money)”
Other details (How, Where) are usually left up to a committee to meet later, decide, report back.
A second is a second person, who agrees this motion should be discussed.
If there is no second, the group does not discuss the motion.
Discuss the motion, people raise their hand to speak.The chair calls on (6) people to comment:
up to (3) FOR and (3) AGAINST.
Motions can be
DEFEATED
PASSED
AMENDED passed with edits. *WHAT IF…MORE OPTIONS listed on next page
TABLED, REFERRED to a committee, or POSTPONED INDEFINITELY
Next, the chair often calls for a vote.
All in favor say YES (Aye, in favor).
All opposed say NO (Opposed, against).
The Secretary records the PASS/DEFEAT/ or TABLED result
in the Minutes (a record of Who attended, What motions discussed).
Finally, the Chair goes on to the next item on the Agenda and repeats the process.
ETIQUETTE.
FOR PLEASANT MEETINGS, BE COURTEOUS and LISTEN. When discussing motions:
1 avoid personal remarks; focus on the motion
2 avoid insulting remarks; use compliments
3 avoid inflammatory language; keep a moderate tone
4 avoid talking about other people’s motives; talk about the pro’s and con’s of the motion
5 avoid criticizing past actions of the group; stay in the present
6 avoid off-topic subjects; stay on track, we finish early. Let’s socialize after the meeting
Robert’s Rules of Order
Fair (all know rules). Democratic (we vote). Efficient (done faster). Orderly (1 motion at a time).
INTERRUPTING.
People listen and pay attention. These urgent reasons let you -interrupt- someone speaking:
*if you want info about the rules, You say, “Point of Information”
*if you can’t hear, safety reasons, comfort, You say “Question of Privilege”
*if you see rules being broken, You say “Point of Order”
*If you disagree with the chair’s ruling, You say “Appeal”
*If you disagree to vote now; with a call for Unanimous Consent, You say “Objection”
WHAT IF…MORE OPTIONS when discussing motions.
Understand the rules better. You say, “Point of Information” or “Point of Parliamentary Inquiry” The chair will ask you to state your questions, and will try to answer it.
Pass - most agree
Realize everyone agrees, You say, “I call for unanimous consent.” The chair will pause and ask for objections, if none: “Seeing no objection, the motion passes.”
Limit more discussion. You say, “I move to limit debate to __ speakers or __amount of time.” ⅔ of group votes to agree. (Votes can be Voice vote, show hands, roll call, ballots)
Stop any more discussion. You say, “I move to close the debate”. Or “Calling the Question” ⅔ of the group must vote to agree.
Hear the results of the vote correctly. You say, “Call for division of the house” and the secretary will call each person’s name and ask if they vote Yes or No (roll call vote).
Amend - change
Change wording of a motion (add words, strike words, strike and insert words)
You say, “I move to amend the motion to say__”
Change a motion a lot. You say, “I move to substitute __ instead of the original motion”
Bring the discussion back on topic, You say, “Call for orders of the day”
Change your mind, on a vote today. You say, “I move to reconsider”
Change your mind, on a vote at a previous meeting. You say, “I move to rescind.”
Tabled - no action
Have time for the group to study it more. You say “I move to refer to a committee”
Have time to personally study the idea more. You say, “I move to postpone to __date”
Postpone the motion until a later time. “I move to table the motion”. Option to start discussion again after 1 item on the agenda; or if not taken from the table, the motion fails. To kill the motion right away, ⅔ of the group must vote to agree.
Take a short break. You say, “I move to recess, for a short period of time___”
Want to end the meeting. You say, “I move to adjourn.”
Want to learn more? Here’s Page 17-18 of the MN DFL Officer’s Guidebook:
https://dfl.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DFL-Officers-Guidebook.pdf
Check out various guides online. You can also read the book. https://robertsrules.com/