Robert's Rules For Dummies

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
About This Book
(Not So) Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Parliamentary procedure education in your area
Hiring a professional parliamentarian
Part 1 It’s Parliamentary, My Dear: Participating Effectively in Meetings
Chapter 1 Following the Rules (Robert’s, That Is)
Keeping Things Informal
Making Meetings Meaningful
A Brief History of Robert’s Rules
Being Empowered at Meetings
Understanding What Parliamentary Procedure Is
General parliamentary law
Principles of parliamentary law
Achieving Personal Goals
Experiencing Personal Success
Chapter 2 Defining the Organization: Bylaws and Other Rules
Covering the Rules about Rules
Classifying your rules
Ranking the rules
Laying down rule requirements
Uncovering Bylaw Basics
Breaking Down the Content of Bylaws
Making Sure Your Bylaws Are Complete
Express-permission needed bylaws
Special bylaw provisions for convention-holding organizations
Amending Your Bylaws
Setting the conditions for amending your bylaws
Giving notice of bylaw amendments
Handling a motion to amend bylaws
Interpreting Bylaws
Publishing Your Bylaws and Other Rules
Chapter 3 Meetings: Making Group Decisions
Defining the Deliberative Assembly
(Un)Tying the Hands of the Assembly in Future Sessions
Understanding Types of Business Meetings
Regular meetings
Special meetings
Adjourned meetings
Annual meetings
Executive session
Conducting Your Business
Giving notice and getting people to the meeting
Getting some help up front
Planning the work
Getting down to business
Making motions
Discussing and debating
Adjourning
Participating in Meetings as a Member
Addressing the presiding officer
Speaking through the chair
Waiting for recognition before speaking
Presiding over Meetings with Style
Relaxing the Rules at Meetings
Considering things informally
Taking it easy in small boards
Meeting Virtually
Amending your bylaws to make virtual meetings possible
Evaluating meeting platforms
Adopting special rules of order
Chapter 4 Notice and a Quorum
Giving Notice of Meetings
Regular meetings
Special meetings
Selecting forms of giving notice
Protecting the rights of absentees
Quorum Defined
Determining how many is enough for a meeting
Establishing a quorum
Counting ex-officio members in board and committee quorums
Knowing what you can do without a quorum
Handling emergencies quorumless
Chapter 5 Ordering Business: The Agenda
Order of Business Sequence
Approving the minutes
Hearing the reports of officers, boards, and standing committees
Receiving reports from special committees
Taking up special orders
Turning to unfinished business and general orders
Calling for new business
Using an Agenda
Understanding the agenda
Using Robert’s Rules’ basic agenda
Part 2 Motions: Putting Ideas into Action
Chapter 6 Main Motions: Proposing Ideas for Group Action
Understanding Motion Basics
Classifying motions
Defining relationships between the classes
Knowing when to use secondary motions
Taking the Plunge with a Main Motion
Examining examples of main motions
Understanding the main motion’s purpose
Putting your motion in writing
Making your motion in proper form
Breaking Down the Types of Main Motions
Original main motions
Incidental main motions
Giving Previous Notice of Motions
Working within Limits: Basic Rules for Main Motions
Avoiding Out-of-Order Main Motions
Handling a Main Motion in Eight Easy Steps
Step 1: The member rises and addresses the chair
Step 2: The chair recognizes the member
Step 3: The member makes the motion
Step 4: Another member seconds the motion
Step 5: The chair states the motion
Step 6: The members debate the motion
Step 7: The chair puts the question and the members vote
Step 8: The chair announces the result
Chapter 7 Debate: Discussing the Pros and Cons of Ideas
Understanding the Debate Process
To Debate or Not to Debate, That is the Question!
Presiding over the Debate
Starting the debate
Assigning the floor
Deciding who to recognize
Refraining from debate
Handling an appeal
Closing debate and taking the vote
Debating As a Member
Taking your turn
Seeking recognition and obtaining the floor
Recognizing limitations on debate
Getting around the rules by changing the limits of debate
Knowing when it’s okay to interrupt
Playing Nice: Decorum in Debate
Dealing with Disruption: Dilatory and Improper Motions
Chapter 8 Making Group Decisions: Voting on the Motion
Knowing Your Voting Rights and Responsibilities
Voting as a duty
Abstaining from voting
Voting for yourself
Interrupting a vote
Explaining your vote
Changing your vote
Making your vote count — once!
Deciding questions of procedure
Taking Your Pick of Voting Methods
Unanimous consent
Voice vote (viva voce)
Rising vote
Counted vote
Roll-call vote
Voting by ballot
Allowing Absentee Voting
Voting by proxy
Voting by mail
Voting online
Determining Voting Results
Crossing voting thresholds
Handling tie votes
Challenging a vote
Chapter 9 Subsidiary Motions: Helping to Process the Main Motion
Disposing of a Main Motion
Ranking the Subsidiary Motions
Let’s Vote but Say We Didn’t: Postpone Indefinitely
Using the motion to Postpone Indefinitely
Six key characteristics of the motion to Postpone Indefinitely
Making a Change: Amend
Six key characteristics of the motion to Amend
Amending by the book
Understanding basic forms of amendments
Sending It to Committee: Commit or Refer
Using the motion to Commit
Delegating authority to a committee
Six key characteristics of the motion to Commit
Dealing with It Later: Postpone to a Certain Time (Or Postpone Definitely)
Using the motion to Postpone to a Certain Time
Limiting the time of postponement
Six key characteristics of the motion to Postpone to a Certain Time
How Long Can This Go On? Limit or Extend Limits of Debate
Using the motion to Limit or Extend the Limits of Debate
Additional information
Six key characteristics of Limit or Extend the Limits of Debate
Enough Already! Previous Question
Putting the damper on debate
Using Previous Question to stop debate and vote immediately
Six key characteristics of the motion Previous Question
Doing This Now: Lay on the Table
Using the motion to Lay on the Table
Six key characteristics of the motion to Lay on the Table
Chapter 10 Privileged Motions: Getting through the Meeting
Ranking the Privileged Motions
Getting Back on Schedule: Call for the Orders of the Day
Using the motion to Call for the Orders of the Day
Setting aside the orders of the day
Six key characteristics of the motion to Call for the Orders of the Day
It’s Cold in Here: Raise a Question of Privilege
Using the device Raise a Question of Privilege
Six key characteristics of the device Raise a Question of Privilege
Taking a Break: Recess
Using the motion to Recess
Six key characteristics of the motion to Recess
Time to Get Outta Here: Adjourn
Using the motion to Adjourn
Six key characteristics of the privileged motion to Adjourn
Finishing on Another Day: Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn
Using the motion to Fix the Time to which to Adjourn
Six key characteristics of the motion to Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn
Chapter 11 Incidental Motions: Dealing with Questions of Procedure
Defining Incidental Motions
Using Incidental Motions
Following the Rules: Point of Order
Rising to a point of order
Beating the clock on points of order
Looking back in time: Precedent
Six key characteristics of Point of Order
Sorry, but I Disagree: Appeal
The appeal of the motion to Appeal
Applying the motion to appeal
Six key characteristics of Appeal
We Can’t Let That Stop Us: Suspend the Rules
Moving to Suspend the Rules
Knowing when you can’t suspend the rules
Six key characteristics of the motion to Suspend the Rules
Oh, Come Now! Objection to the Consideration of a Question
Objecting to Considering a Question
Six key characteristics of the motion to Objection to the Consideration of a Question
Too Much in One Fell Swoop: Division of a Question
Using Division of a Question
Six key characteristics of the motion Division of the Question
Going Over This Carefully: Consideration by Paragraph
Considering by paragraph
Considering as a whole
Six key characteristics of the motion Consideration by Paragraph
Being Sure about the Vote: Division of the Assembly
Using Division of the Assembly
Six key characteristics of the motion Division of the Assembly
Deciding How to Decide: Motions Related to Methods of Voting and the Polls
Using motions related to methods of voting and the polls
Six key characteristics of motions related to methods of voting and the polls
Coming Up with Candidates: Motions Related to Nominations
Using motions related to nominations
Six key characteristics of motions related to nominations
I Can’t Take It Anymore! Request to Be Excused from a Duty
Requesting to Be Excused from Duty
Six key characteristics of the Request to Be Excused from a Duty
Is It in Order To . . . ? Parliamentary Inquiry
Making a Parliamentary Inquiry
Six key characteristics of Parliamentary Inquiry
Needing to Know More: Request for Information
Using Request for Information
Six key characteristics of Request for Information
Making Other Requests
What was I thinking? Request to Withdraw or Modify a Motion
Just let me read this: Request to Read Papers
Six key characteristics of other requests
Chapter 12 Looking At Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly
Been There, Done That! Preventing Revoting on Motions
Having Second Thoughts: Reconsidering
Understanding “Reconsider” as a parliamentary term
Using the motion to Reconsider
Knowing when not to use “Reconsider”
Using a special form of Reconsider: Reconsider and enter on the minutes
More considerations on the motion to Reconsider
Identifying six key characteristics of the motion to Reconsider
Rescinding or Amending Something Previously Adopted
Using Rescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted
Knowing what motions you can’t rescind or amend
Identifying the six key characteristics of this motion
Discharging a Committee
Using the motion to Discharge a Committee
Identifying six key characteristics of the motion to Discharge a Committee
Examining What’s Left on the Table — Taking from the Table
Using the motion to Take from the Table
Understanding when you can’t take from the table
Knowing what’s before the assembly when a motion is taken from the table
Identifying the six key features of the motion to Take from the Table
Part 3 Getting Involved in Leadership
Chapter 13 Who’s Going to Do the Work? Following Nomination Procedures
Nominations by the Chair
Nominations from the Floor
Opening the floor for nominations
Handling nominations from the floor
Debating nominations
Closing nominations
Nominations by a Committee
Selecting the committee
Working on the committee
Handling the committee report
Nominations by Ballot
Nominations by Mail
Nominations by Petition
Chapter 14 Holding Elections and Making Appointments
Conducting Elections Like a Maestro
Electing by ballot
Electing by voice vote
Electing by roll call
Determining who wins
Contesting an election
Dealing with incomplete elections
Filling Vacancies
Making Committee Appointments
Exploring the methods of appointing committees
Finding more ways to appoint committee members
Chapter 15 Running the Show: Officers and Directors
Perfecting Presidential Presence
Preparing to lead
Presiding with pizzazz
Maintaining magnanimity
Rounding out the job
Playing (Not-So) Second Fiddles
Waiting in the wings: Vice-president
Keeping jots and tittles: Secretary
Balancing the books: Treasurer
Tackling Other Tasks
Managing the business: Directors
Keeping the peace: Sergeant-at-arms
Guarding the gate: Doorkeeper
Continuing the saga: Historian
Shelving the tomes: Librarian
Stowing the scepter: Curator
Speaking words of wisdom: Chaplain
Managing the staff: Executive director
Advising on procedure: Parliamentarian
Filling Vacancies in Offices
Defining Terms of Office
Chapter 16 Gearing Up for the Real Action: Committees
Defining the Ordinary Committee
Standing committees
Special committees
Taking Stock of Committee Appointment Methods
Appointing Committee Members
Making appointments for the right reasons
Appointing special committees for investigations or deliberations
Picking the right mix for committees carrying out a specific task
Selecting ideal members for standing committees
Following Committee Procedures
Using small board rules
Unfettering the discourse
Easing up on minutes
Hearing from the masses
Working on a Committee
Hearing from the secretary
Presiding over a committee
Participating as a committee member
Adjourning committee meetings
Chapter 17 Reporting to Your Organization
Making Minutes Minute
Styling your minutes
Composing your meeting’s minutes
Signing the minutes
Approving the minutes
Publishing a record of proceedings
First Things First: Filing the Treasurer’s Report
Next Up: Hearing Reports of Other Officers
Wrapping Up Reporting: Boards and Committees
Hearing from the executive board
Handling committee reports
Knowing What to Do with Reports and Recommendations
Recognizing Members’ Rights to Consult the Records
Chapter 18 Disciplining and Removing Officers or Members
Dealing with a Dictator
Putting a question from your place
Removing the presiding officer from the chair
Removing an officer permanently
Disciplining Members Who Shame Your Group’s Name
Checking out the facts first
Reporting findings of cause
Holding a trial
Maintaining Order in Meetings
Understanding rights of the group
Knowing what’s expected
Managing misbehaving members
Removing nonmembers from the hall
Chapter 19 Starting a New Association
Preparing for an Organizational Meeting
Inviting Prospective Members
Holding the First Organizational Meeting
Electing temporary officers
Adopting your parliamentary authority
Adopting the resolution to form the association
Appointing a committee to draft bylaws
Before you call it a day . . .
Drawing Up Your Bylaws
Getting down to bylaw business
Appointing a subcommittee to write the first draft
Reviewing the first draft
Holding Your Second Organizational Meeting
Calling the meeting
Approving the minutes
Adopting the bylaws
Holding Your Charter Meeting
Enrolling charter members
Electing permanent officers
Handling other essential business
Adjourning
Chapter 20 The Convention of Delegates: A Special Kind of Assembly
Defining the Convention of Delegates
Serving As a Delegate
Organizing the Convention Assembly
Deciding who can vote: Credentials committee
Establishing some rules: Committee on standing rules
Knowing when to do what: Convention program committee
Understanding Other Convention Committees
Getting down to details: Convention arrangements committee
Screening proposals for action: Resolutions committee
Part 4 The Part of Tens
Chapter 21 Ten (Plus Two) Meeting Procedure Myths
Robert’s Rules Is Just a Guide You Don’t Have to Follow
Only One Motion Can Be on the Floor at a Time
The Presiding Officer Can Vote Only to Break a Tie
The Parliamentarian Makes Rulings
A Motion Not Seconded Is Void
Abstentions Count As Yes (or No) Votes
The Chair Must Ask for Unfinished Business
The Chair Must Call for Nominations Three Times
If the Winner Doesn’t Serve, Second Place Can Take Over
Officers Must Be Members
Ex Officio Members Can’t Vote
Motions Don’t Take Effect Until Minutes Are Approved
Chapter 22 Ten Tips for Presiding Officers
Know Your Rules
Plan Your Meetings
Start Your Meetings on Time
Use Unanimous Consent
Use Committees
Preside with Impartiality
Never Give up the Chair
Don’t Share Your Lectern
Keep Your Cool
Use a Parliamentarian
Chapter 23 Ten Motion Mistakes to Avoid
“Reconsidering” a Vote
Speaking without Recognition
Moving to “Table!”
Calling the Question
Tabling It until Next Month
Offering a Point of Information
Offering Friendly Amendments
Making Motions to Accept or Receive Reports
Dispensing with the Minutes
Wasting Breath on “I So Move”
Chapter 24 Ten Custom Rules to Consider
Changing the Ten-Minute Speech Rule
Defining Your Quorum
Establishing Rules Related to the Quorum
Authorize your board to fill its vacancies to achieve a quorum
Authorize a mail or Internet vote to change an impossible quorum
Electing by Voice instead of by Ballot
Adopting Special Vote Thresholds
Authorizing a Committee to Adopt Its Own Rules
Authorizing Spending When Adopting Budgets
Requiring an Adopted Agenda by Rule
Adopting a Customized Order of Business
Breaking a Tie in Elections
Chapter 25 Ten Considerations for Electronic Meetings
Developing Bylaw Provisions
Making Members Responsible for Connection and Access
Providing for a Quorum Call
Obtaining Recognition to Speak
Interrupting a Speaker
Establishing Requirements for Motions
Hearing “What Are We Voting on?” Less Frequently
Covering Voting Methods
Noting Comings-and-Goings
Pulling the Plug
Appendix: Glossary of Parliamentary Terms
Index
EULA