1. Robert’s Rules Presented By: Brandon Swope

2. Objectives Better understand parliamentary procedure
Understand how parli pro is different than Roberts Rules of Order
Review the purpose of leaders within organizations
Become familiar with different motions
Build confidence in using parli pro 

3. Parliamentary Procedures
“A system of conducting business when working in a group.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 4)
Majority rules
Respects all opinions
Maintains focus on issues at hand
One step at a time; one voice at a time
Adaptable to fit the organization (bylaws)
“A deliberative assembly is a group of people meeting to openly discuss issues and make decisions that then become the decision of the group.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 4)

4. Parliamentary Authority
“The set of rules that a group adopts as the rules that will govern it.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 5)
Roberts Rules of Order (Since February 1876)
The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure
Demeter’s Law of Parliamentary Law and Procedure
Mason’s Manual of Legislative Procedure
Cannon’s Concise Guide to the Rules of Order

5. Quorum
“The minimum number of people that must be present to make a decision for the whole group.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 5)
Usually specified as the “majority” of voting members
Specific number can be defined in the Constitution or Bylaws for the organization
Section VP of Administration declares quorum for business to proceed (Roll Call)

6. Without Quorum Meeting is severely limited
Motion to Adjourn
Motion to Recess
Obtain enough members for quorum
May proceed with business and voting
Quorum must be met the following week
Ratify the decisions from the previous week

7. Types of Meetings Regular Meeting Special Meeting Annual Meeting
Example: RSA Meetings Tuesdays at 7:30-9:00PM
Special Meeting
“Usually held for emergency purposes.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 17)
Annual Meeting
Election of officers
Annual reports
Adjourned Meetings
Meeting that is being continued

8. Types of Meetings (Continued)
Mass Meeting
Less formal meeting with a common purpose
Executive Board Meeting
Example: RSA Exec Board Thursdays 8:15-9:15AM
Convention
Examples: NACURH, CAACURH, No Frills
Committee Meeting
Examples: Diversity, Fundraising, Marketing, etc.
Executive Session
Confidentiality is key

9. Synchronous E-Meetings
Telephone conferencing
Videoconferencing
Web conferencing
Chat rooms

10. Leadership within Organizations
“A person holding a leadership position only has the power that is given to the position in the bylaws…” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 23)
Roles, duties, and responsibilities outlined in the bylaws or constitution

11. The President Presiding Officer
“The person—often the president—who is in charge of the meeting.” (Sylvester 2010, p. 24)
Represents the Organization (Model the Way!)
Prepares agendas for meetings
Ex-Officio representative
“Facilitator, NOT dictator” (p. 24)
Other duties as outlined in specific constitutions and bylaws

12. The President-Elect
“Serves on term as the president-elect and then automatically becomes president the following term.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 25)
Example: NCC-IT for RSA

13. Vice President Second in command
Prepared to lead in absence of the President
Can be multiple VP’s
RSA has a VP of Administration, Finance, Programming, Hall Council Affairs and Recognition, and Student Concerns
Positions viewed as equally powered

14. Secretary
“Keeping an accurate list of members, the roll call list, the governing documents, delegate information, committee membership and much more.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 29)
Record Keeper
Takes minutes during the meeting

15. Treasurer
“It is the treasurers job to make sure funds are handled correctly.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 31)
Prepares and maintains the budget
Oversees the organizations spending

16. The Executive Director (Advisor)
Salaried position usually
Extended time with the organization
“The consistent force behind the organization” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 32)
Flexibility

17. The Parliamentarian
Individual who is proficient with Roberts Rules of Order
Remain unbiased
RSA—National Communications Coordinator (NCC) fulfills this as is stated in the Constitution
There are such thing as Professional Parliamentarians

18. Majority vs. Two-Thirds Vote
“If an action gives rights to the members, it requires a majority vote to pass. If an action takes away rights from members, it requires a two-thirds vote to pass.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 5)
Majority is NOT 50%
Majority is > 50%

19. Hierarchy of Governing Documents
Federal Laws
State Laws
Articles of Incorporation
Governing documents of the parent organization
“A national organization that has in its bylaws a charter to local, state or regional associations.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 42)
Bylaws
Special Rules of Order
Parliamentary authority
Standing Rules
Policies and Procedures
*Taken from Sylvester (2010, p. 40)

20. Bylaws Combine with Constitution in single document
For more on writing a Constitution and Bylaws reference pages from Sylvester (2010)
Approved by vote of members
Changed through amendments and revisions
Amendments are small changes
Revisions are completely rewritten
Gross— “when you are dealing with several amendments, it is common practice to vote on them all at one time…”
Require advanced notice and a two-thirds vote

21. Motion
“A proposal on which a group takes a specific action or stand” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 58)
“A member makes a motion
Another member seconds the motion
The chair states the motion, formally placing it before the assembly
The members debate the motion
The chair puts the [motion]…to a vote
The chair announces the results of the vote” (p. 59)

22. Privileged Motions
“Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn. This sets the time for another meeting to continue business of the session.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 124)
“Adjourn. A motion to close a meeting.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 124)
“Recess. A short interruption that does not close the meeting.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 124)
“Questions of Privilege.to bring an urgent request or a main motion relating to the rights of either the assembly or an individual up for immediate consideration.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 124)
“Call for the Orders of the Day. By the use of this motion, a single member can require the assembly to follow the order of business or agenda…” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 124)

23. Subsidiary Motions
“Lay on the Table. This motion places in the care of the secretary the pending question and everything adhering to it.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 136)
“Previous Question. The effect of this motion is to immediately stop debate and any amendments and to move immediately to a vote on the motion.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 136)
“Limit or Extend Limits of Debate. This motion can reduce or increase the number and length of speeches permitted or can limit the length of debate on a specific question.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 136)
“Postpone Definitely. If the body needs more time to make a decision or if there is a more convenient time for consideration of the question, this motion may be the answer.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 136)
“Commit or Refer. This motion sends the main motion to a smaller group (a committee) for further examination and refinement before the body votes on it.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 136)
“Amend. This motion is used to modify the pending motion before it is voted on.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 136)
“Postpone Indefinitely. This motion, in effect, kills the main motions for the duration of the session without the group having to take a vote on the motion.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 136)

24. Precedence of Motions Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn Adjourn Recess
Raise a Question of Privilege
Call for the Orders of the Day
Lay on the Table
Previous Question
Limit or Extend Limits of Debate
Postpone to a Certain time
Refer to a Committee
Amend an Amendment
Amend the Main Motion
Postpone Indefinitely
MAIN MOTION
According to Sylvester (2010, p )

25. Incidental Motions
“Point of Order. If a member feels the rules are not being followed, he or she can use this motion. It requires the chair to make a ruling and enforce the rules.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 154)
“Appeal. This is a motion to take a decision regarding parliamentary procedure out of the hands of the presiding officer and place the final decision in the hands of the assembly.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 154)
Objection to the Consideration of a Question. The purpose of this motion is to prevent the assembly from considering the question/motion because a member deems the motion as irrelevant, unprofitable, or contentious.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 154)
“Suspend the Rules. This motion is used when the assembly wants to do something that violates its own rules.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 154)
Can NOT suspend the constitution and bylaws unless stated in them
“Division of the Assembly. The effect of this motion is to require a standing vote (not a counted vote).” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 154)
“Division of the Question. This motion is used to separate a main motion or amendment into parts to be voted on individually.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 154)

26. RSA’s Most Useful Requests
Parliamentary Inquiry–questions regarding parliamentary procedure that is addressed to the RSA President (presiding officer)
Point of Information—question regarding the topic of discussion asked to the RSA President (presiding officer) and redirected to a different individual if necessary
Keep in mind that if YOU have a question, someone else is likely asking themselves the same thing! 

27. Making a Motion “I move to…” NOT “I motion to…”
Say what you mean, mean what you say
Speak on it during discussion, first
May not speak against your own motion
May vote against it, however
Write down the motion
Motion must be seconded for discussion
Don’t have to agree with motion to second
(i.e. if you want to discuss the motion in general you would still second it)
Presiding officer repeats the motion
Amend or Withdraw Motion
Requires majority vote

28. Discussing a Motion Keep on topic!!!
If off topic, presiding officer interrupts
Ex: “Is there any further discussion on the motion to…?” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 73)
If off topic discussion continues, presiding officer interrupts and says discussion is “out of order”
Non-members can only talk if the members allow
Presiding officer can close discussion
Ex: “Seeing no members seeking recognition, debate is closed.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 75)
Members can close discussion through motion, second, and dissent
President may only discuss if they “relinquish the chair” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 93)
DON’T REPREAT THE SAME THING AGAIN!
Once you speak, you must wait for others to have the chance

29. Voting Only members can vote Voting Methods Using clickers
Unanimous consent (general consent)—no objections to the motion
Used for minutes from previous meeting
By voice— “All in favor say…all opposed say…”
Division of the Assembly  Rising Vote
Show of Hands— “All in favor raise hand…all opposed raise hand”
Rising vote— “All in favor stand…all opposed stand”
By ballot (paper)—maintains secrecy in votes
Roll Call—used to publically record who voted what
Using clickers
Presiding officer announces the results
Presiding officer may vote unless the bylaws state otherwise

30. Amendments
Insert— “this format involves inserting or adding words or paragraphs.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 146)
Strike Out– “this format involves cutting words or paragraphs.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 146)
Strike Out and Insert– “this format involves substituting a word, paragraph, or entire text with new text.” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 146)

31. Agendas Reading and Approval of Minutes
Executive Board, Committee, and HC Reports
Special Orders (Guest Speakers)
Unfinished Business and General Orders
General Orders—postponed motion
Unfinished Business—NOT “Old Business”
New Business
Use templates for agendas
Robert’s Rules of Order Specify the agenda order

32. Committees
Standing committee—permanent and stated in the constitution or bylaws
Special committee (A.K.A. Ad Hoc Committee, Task Force, or Work Group)—temporary
The Committee Charge— “the responsibility that goes with the assignment” (Sylvester, 2010, p. 231)
Subcommittees divide the work load

33. References
Sylvester, N. (2010). The Complete Idiots Guide to Robert's Rules (Second ed.). New York, NY: Penguin Group.

34. Brandon Swope Resident Student Association President (2012-13)
NRHH Member

35. Please divide into six equal teams 
Review Activity
Please divide into six equal teams 

36. Question #1
Johnny drank too much Starbucks before coming to RSA and now has to use the bathroom. What privileged motion should he use?
A: Motion for a Recess

37. Question #2 Who gets the option to speak first during discussion?
A: The individual who made the motion for the topic being discussed

38. Question #3
Jessie was too busy texting and missed what had just been said. What parli pro term should Jessie use in addressing the RSA President to have this information repeated?
A: Point of Clarification

39. Question #4
RSA has 40 member in attendance at the meeting and is going to hold a majority vote. How many votes are needed for the motion to pass?
A: 21

40. Question #5
Mickey feels that the RSA President’s voice-vote is not accurate. What can she call to have a rising vote taken instead?
A: Division of the Assembly

41. Question #6
It is colder than Antarctica in the RSA meeting room tonight. What motion would she use to have the temperature turned up?
A: Question of Privilege

42. Question #7
In the “Hierarchy of Governing Documents” what is ranked #1?
A: Federal Laws

43. Question #8
Shirley is a visitor at RSA for the night. Does she have the right to vote during the meeting?
A: No because she is not a member of RSA

44. Question #9
The RSA Fundraising Committee is an example of this type of committee.
A: Standing Committee

45. Question #10
According to Robert’s Rules of Order this should be the first item on the agenda for an RSA meeting.
A: Approval of Minutes