|
|
|
|
|
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
April 2006:
All references are to
RONR
10th ed
Question:
When a committee chair reads a statement requesting money how should the
president handle it if no one on the Board of Directors makes a motion to
ask for the funding?
Answer: If the reporting member of
the committee is also a member of the board, then he or she could conclude
the report with the following: "Mr. President, by direction of [or 'on
behalf of'] the committee, I move the adoption of the resolution just read."
Refer to
Robert's Rules of Order
Newly Revised (RONR), 10th edition, pp. 489-490:
"Immediately after receiving a
board's or a committee's report...an assembly normally considers
whatever action may be recommended in or arise out of the report....When
a report contains recommendations...the reporting board or committee
member usually makes the necessary motion to implement the
recommendations at the conclusion of his presentation, provided he is a
member of the assembly....If the person presenting the report is not a
member of the assembly or for any other reason does not make the
required motion to implement the recommendations as just described, any
member of the assembly can do so;....the chair may sometimes expedite
matters by assuming the motion - that is, stating the question on it
without waiting for it to be made...."
If the reporting member of the
committee is not a member of the Board, then a member of the Board could
make the motion or the chair could assume a motion.
If a motion were pending at the previous meeting and that motion (while
pending) was referred to a committee, then when the committee finishes its
report at the next meeting, the motion that was referred to the committee
becomes automatically pending once again. Otherwise, if no motion were
pending at the previous meeting (and referred to a committee), then a motion
will need to be made by a member at the next meeting to bring the
committee's recommendations to the floor, or the chair will need to assume a
motion to that effect.
The chairman's duty is to make it clear to the assembly what business is
before it and to facilitate and expedite business. The chair should make it
clear that no action will be taken unless a motion is made regarding the
recommendations of the committee. Simply going on to the next item of
business may leave members in doubt as to what, if anything, happened to the
committee's recommendations. Some members may think that by doing nothing
after hearing the committee's recommendations means that they have accepted
the committee's recommendations by unanimous consent.
For example, suppose the nonmember reporting member of the committee says
something such as, "By direction of the committee I recommend that the
following action be taken, that the club replace the decorative entrance
lighting at the cost of the quote obtained, not to exceed $1500." And then
the chair says, "Thank you, the report is accepted....The next business
is..." Would it be clear to everyone that by unanimous consent the
committee's recommendations have been adopted? Or would they think that no
action will be taken on the committee's report? Would it be clear that
someone needed to make a motion if the recommendations are to be placed
before the assembly for consideration at the meeting?
Wouldn't it facilitate business and be clearer to everyone if the
chairman said, "Does any member wish to move the adoption of part or all of
the committee's recommendations?" And then [after a pause] if no motion is
forthcoming, to say, "Hearing none, no action will be taken at this time and
the committee report will be placed on file. The next business in order
is..." Moving along too quickly without explanation may catch members off
guard and leave them in doubt as to what happened.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
