|
|
|
|
|
Promoting the study and teaching of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised
Welcome to www.parlipro.org |
|
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 March
2003:
At the beginning of the meeting a member
could move to suspend the rules
relating to the duties of the president to preside
at the meeting, and instead elect a chairman pro tem.
If the motion to suspend the rules is adopted by a two-thirds vote,
someone else will chair the meeting.
Even if the rule that the president "shall preside at
all meetings" is in the bylaws, it is a rule that is clearly in the nature of
a rule of order (per RONR p. 15 duties of officers in connection with a
meeting) and may be suspended (per RONR p. 17).
One will need to be an expert on RONR p. 642 to actually
pull this off (for a member to put the motion to suspend the rules and elect a
chairman pro tem) while standing in his place.
Review:
-
Suspend the rules pp. 252-258
-
Definition of Rules of Order p. 15 “duties of officers
in connection with meeting”
-
Administrative duties of president outside scope of
parliamentary law p. 440
-
Definition of bylaws p. 12
-
Suspension of rules in bylaws clearly in the nature of
rules of order p. 17
-
Definition of standing rules (application outside a
meeting) p. 18
-
Chapter XX pp. 642-643
-
Temporary presiding officer if President and VP are
agreeable p. 432
-
Question of privilege “relate to conduct of its
officers” p. 219
-
p. 254-255 - Rules that cannot be suspended
-
p. 244 - Timeliness requirement for point of order
(implicit suspension of rules), and continuing breach
-
"The member is out of order and will be seated." p.
626
Note:
The mere threat of this maneuver
may be an effective deterrent to a de facto
dictator. Before actually doing this for real, it
is strongly recommended
that the members try to reason with the president. Let him/her know ahead of
time that this option is available to the members (which will come as a great
surprise in most cases), and ask that in the best interests of the
organization that the chair be voluntarily relinquished with as little fanfare
as possible. Otherwise, to actually pull it off could be
a very contentious and unpleasant meeting.
*
Click here to Download PDF (27 K)
meeting script to practice

*Requires Adobe Acrobat
Reader.
If not installed, download Acrobat Reader here:
|
|
|
|
|
|

 
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! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|