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Promoting the study and teaching of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised
Welcome to www.parlipro.org |
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Mind Benders and Brain Teasers:
This is where we will post questions and
situations that will test your knowledge of parliamentary procedure. If you
have a parliamentary Mind Bender or Brain Teaser that you would like to share,
send it to mindbenders@parlipro.org
and we will print the best ones here. Unless otherwise noted, the
parliamentary authority is
Robert's Rules of Order
Newly Revised (RONR), 10th edition. The informal parliamentary
opinions expressed here follow general principles of parliamentary law and
Robert's Rules of Order
Newly Revised (RONR), 10th edition, and are based solely on the
brief summary of facts presented, without the benefit of having reviewed the
bylaws and other governing documents. An association's own bylaws,
covenants, Articles of Incorporation, Special Rules of Order, and local or
state laws will supersede what
RONR says. A
significant difference in facts could result in different conclusions being
reached. If there is much at stake, readers are encouraged to seek a formal
written parliamentary opinion from a Professional Registered
Parliamentarian, which includes a thorough review of the organization's
bylaws and governing documents. Nothing here should be construed as an
interpretation of statutory law.

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Answer to Mind Bender for January
2003:
This question illustrates a problem with the informal
term "tabled", and RONR cautions against it on p. 202. The proper
term is Lay on the Table. You see, it was not proper to lay something on the
table "until" a certain time. The correct motion for that is to
Postpone to a Certain Time, as in "until the next meeting". The
reason this is a problem is that in the precedence (hierarchy) of motions, the
motion to Lay on the Table has a much higher rank than the motion to Postpone.
Anything with a higher rank can interrupt consideration of anything of a lower
rank, and must be immediately dealt with and/or voted on.
The motion to Lay on the Table is properly only used to
lay something aside temporarily in order to attend to an immediately urgent
matter, as in "Our speaker has just arrived, I move that we lay the
pending motion on the table." It takes a majority vote and no debate
is allowed--just vote either yes or no. So this motion could have the effect
of cutting off debate with a majority vote, which normally requires a
two-thirds vote. If adopted, some time later in the meeting or at the next
meeting, a member can move to Take from the Table, and it too requires a
majority vote.
Look at the chart of motions on this page: http://www.parlipro.org/precedence.htm
and notice the difference between Lay on the Table and Postpone to a Certain
Time. Postpone is debatable as far as the reasons for postponing it, as well
as the time to which the motion is postponed. In addition, there is a big
difference as to when the motions come up again. A motion that is postponed to
the next meeting becomes a General Order for that meeting, and will
automatically come before the assembly during Unfinished Business and General
Orders. See Standard Order of Business at http://www.parlipro.org/stdorder.htm
Refer to RONR pp. 289-293 for the details. A motion that
is Laid on the Table does not automatically come up, but must be taken from
the table by a motion adopted by a majority vote, and it will then come before
the assembly. It is in order to take from the table at the same meeting or the
next meeting, when business of the same class is pending. That is, a motion
can be taken from the table during unfinished business, general orders, or new
business, whatever the class is of the motion that was laid on the table.
The above information is only to clarify the difference
between Lay on the Table and Postpone to a Certain Time, so that a point of
order can be raised next time it happens. The fact is that since no point of
order was raised at the time the chairman failed to follow the rules, means
that it is too late to object now. A point of order must be timely. So all the
improprieties of how this motion came to Lay on the Table are moot. The fact
is that it is currently is in that state.
Therefore, when no business is pending, it is in order
to move to Take from the Table, which requires a majority vote to adopt. Then
the motion is again before the assembly. If it was New Business at the time it
was "tabled", then a motion can be made to Take from the Table just
as soon as New Business is reached in the Standard Order of Business. It takes
precedence over a main motion that has been made but not yet stated by the
chair, so it could become the first item of business under the class New
Business.
If meetings are held at least as often as quarterly, a
motion that has been laid on the table dies if not taken from the table by the
close of the next regular quarterly meeting.
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Click here for Questions or Comments

"It is recommended that
each officer of an organization
obtain a copy of the 176 page
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in
Brief (RONRIB) to use as a meeting guide. Interested members who wish to
participate fully in meetings will find it to be invaluable. This
'in brief' book is one of the best values around! For more in-depth
information, you will also want a paperback copy of the 704 page
Robert's Rules
of Order Newly Revised (RONR) to be used as a reference (when more
information is needed), which the 'in brief' book cross references and refers to
by page and line number. If you are serious about parliamentary procedure, buy
the long-lasting hardcover edition
of RONR as a reference book for your personal library.
RONR is the book to use
if Robert's Rules of Order is designated in your bylaws as your parliamentary
authority."
-- Rod G Davidson, Professional Registered Parliamentarian
Going to a meeting but not sure what to do or say?
Inexperienced, but want to know how to take part? Learn quickly and easily!
Robert's Rules of Order
Newly Revised in Brief is a short, simple book that includes:
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Sample dialogues
to get the presiding officer and members confidently through motions,
nominations, elections, voting, debates, amendments, and more
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Invaluable tips
for keeping meetings orderly and on track
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A chapter
answering the most Frequently Asked Questions
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Handy tables at
the back of the book tell you just what to say
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Appointed to a
committee? Elected an officer or board member? Chosen as a convention
delegate? Chapters on each clearly explain your duties
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Abundant
cross-references to the standard
RONR throughout
if more in-depth information is needed.
Finally! Published in 2004, this simple and concise,
user-friendly guide covers the basics of conducting and participating in
meetings of any size. Written by the same authorship team as
Robert's Rules of Order Newly
Revised (RONR), this short easy-to-read guide covers the essentials
on the rules most frequently used at meetings. At 176 pages, this handy pocket
manual is roughly one-fourth the number of pages of
RONR, yet this
brief guide is entirely consistent with the larger 704 page
RONR, something
that cannot be said for other short books on parliamentary procedure.
RONR,
Henry M. Robert's classic guide to smooth, orderly, and fairly conducted
meetings, was originally published in 1896 and has sold close to 5 million
copies in nine editions. This 704 page, 10th edition, Parliamentary Authority
will continue the book's reputation as the gold standard of meeting procedure
for professional parliamentarians and novice club presidents and members alike.
When you need the details, this is the book to get!
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Each order from this website includes
a FREE leaflet of "Basic Parliamentary Information"
- This handy reference card includes charts summarizing the basic
characteristics of motions, the procedure and wording used in
handling a main motion, a sample agenda/order of business, and
information on voting and amendments. Keep this reference card handy
in your pocket or purse! |
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