Parliamentary Procedure Online! - www.ParliPro.org                     

  Robert's Rules - Minutes - Handling Motions - Precedence - Bylaws - Board of Directors - Quorum

 

Home Page
Online Tutorial
Frequent Questions
Order of Business
Handling Motions
Motion Precedence
The Minutes
Robert's Rules
RONR Corrections
Related Links
Multiple Choice Quiz
Mind Benders
Books


Go to Robert's Rules of Order Online - RulesOnline.com

"Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty" - Henry M Robert

 

 

Promoting the study and teaching of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised
Welcome to www.parlipro.org

RatePoint Site Seal

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.

Answer to Mind Bender for February 2005:

All references are to RONR 10th ed

Question: Can a specific section of the bylaws be waived if the membership votes in favor of suspending that section? Specifically, the bylaws in this situation prescribe a vote "at the next meeting by secret ballot and a favorable vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting." A ballot was sent to membership: "I agree to waive the above section of the bylaws, to be replaced with a secret ballot vote by mail and a favorable vote of two-thirds of the members voting." Is this allowed?

Answer: The bylaw in question is not a rule that is in the nature of a rule of order and it cannot be suspended.

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) p. 408-409 has this to say:

"It is a fundamental principle of parliamentary law that the right to vote is limited to the members of an organization who are actually present at the time the vote is taken in a legal meeting...Exceptions to this rule must be expressly stated in the bylaws. Such possible exceptions include: (a) voting by postal or electronic mail, or facsimile transmission (fax), and (b) proxy voting."

RONR p. 556 goes on to say:

"If it is desired to elect by mail, by plurality vote, by preferential voting, or by cumulative voting, this must be expressly stated [in the bylaws], and necessary details of the procedure should be prescribed..."

On p. 255, RONR says:

"Rules which embody fundamental principles of parliamentary law...cannot be suspended. As a further example, since it is a fundamental principle of parliamentary law that the right to vote is limited to the members of an organization who are actually present at the time the vote is taken in a legal meeting (p. 408), the rules cannot be suspended so as to give the right to vote to a nonmember, or to authorize absentee (pp. 408-409) or cumulative (p. 429) voting, even by a unanimous vote."

And RONR p. 244 says:

"The only exceptions to the rule that a point of order must be made at the time of the breach arise in connection with breaches that are of a continuing nature, in which case a point of order can be made at any time during the continuance of the breach. Instances of this kind occur when...(d) any action has been taken in violation of a fundamental principle of parliamentary law (p. 255)...In all such cases, it is never too late to raise a point of order since any action so taken is null and void."

All of the above leads to the conclusion that unless the bylaws provide for voting by mail in this situation then doing so would be null and void, even if the members unanimously agreed to it.

 

 

   

Go to Robert's Rules of Order Online - RulesOnline.com
Run meetings efficiently with Robert's Rules of Order!

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:

  • Sample dialogues to get the presiding officer and members confidently through motions, nominations, elections, voting, debates, amendments, and more

  • Invaluable tips for keeping meetings orderly and on track

  • A chapter answering the most Frequently Asked Questions

  • Handy tables at the back of the book tell you just what to say

  • Appointed to a committee? Elected an officer or board member? Chosen as a convention delegate? Chapters on each clearly explain your duties

  • 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!

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!

 

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) - Paperback

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) - Paperback
List Price: $18.00
Your Cost: $16.00

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) - Hardcover

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) - Hardcover
List Price: $37.50
Your Cost: $34.50

 

This is a secure transaction. PayPal protects your financial information with industry-leading security and fraud prevention systems. When you use PayPal, your financial information is safe and secure; it is not shared with the merchant. Once your payment is complete, you will be emailed a receipt for this transaction. Order with safety and confidence from our secure website. This is a secure transaction. PayPal protects your financial information with industry-leading security and fraud prevention systems. When you use PayPal, your financial information is safe and secure; it is not shared with the merchant. Once your payment is complete, you will be emailed a receipt for this transaction.

Hit Counter