Robert's Rules

[emb021]

Some clarification from a parliamentarian.

Meetings in which you are making decisions (what are called 'deliberative sessions') should follow "parliamentary procedure". These are an agreed upon set of rules that developed over several hundred years, and which are followed by various government bodies (parliaments, congresses, assemblies, etc) as well as private organizations. Even if you don't specify a parliamentary authority in your bylaws, the law does expect that groups WILL follow parliamentary procedure!

There are several enunciations of parliamentary procedure, which are refered to as "parliamentary authorities". The most widely used one in the US is "Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised". Do NOT get one of the various spurions versions out there (including the 'plain english' one). Use RONR. If you need help learning Robert's, get works like "RONR, In Brief", or the Dummies book or get the help of local parliamentary groups. Note that such teaching aids are NOT a replacement for having and using RONR.

Parliamentary procedure doesn't 'fill in the gaps' in your operating documents. They set down how to properly run a meeting, making motions, and the like. MOST OPERATING DOCUMENTS DO NOT COVER THESE THINGS!! IF an organization wants its own rules for these, these are properly called "Special Rules of Order". This is rare and not something I would recommend.

Parliamentary procedure is flexible. If you have a large group (several dozen people, usually a convention of delegates), you will probably need to have additional rules to follow to handle things. If you have a small group (12 or less) you can be more relaxed in the rules. In fact, RONR has a whole chapter on such rules for small boards.

Parliamentary procedure is not about making things difficult to get things done, but to ensure that things are done properly, that people have the chance to discuss matters and come to a decision fairly. It's also not about using trickiery to take advantage of others.

As many groups you will be involved in will (or should) follow parliamentary procedure, its a good idea to learn it. Kind of like trying to play a game and not bothering to learn the rules...

Two groups that can help:
National Assocation of Parliamentarians: http://parliamentarians.org
American Institute of Parliamentarians: http://www.aipparl.org/

(I'm a member of both, and am the president-elect of my local parliamentary club).

hope this helps.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by emb021

Parliamentary procedure doesn't 'fill in the gaps' in your operating documents.

Jeez, you'll take any little thing just to be contrary.... the parliamentary authority of an organization can and does fill in any gaps that it's documents don't address, particularly with things like elections.

Example: I was asked what the election procedure was for my alumni association. The bylaws don't address it, so I referred the brother to RONR.

[Thetagirl218]

During my college years, my chapter supposedly used Roberts....

One year, exec council decided they didn't need to have the position of parliamentarian so they basically had free reign do what they wanted in meetings.

They did follow an agenda and bylaws, but the meetings organization was limited because of the lax use of Roberts.

I am very used to Roberts because I was in Student Government throughout my college years. I was also Parliamentarian some of the time.