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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.

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.

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Run meetings efficiently with Robert's Rules of Order!

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"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

 

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