How to Conduct Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised 11 th Edition

 Call to Order  Roll Call  Approval of Minutes  Executive Officer Reports  Chair Reports  Unfinished Business  New Business  Other Discussion  Adjournment

1. Any matter that was pending when the previous meeting adjourned 1. Any matters on the previous meeting’s agenda that were not reached 1. Matters that were postponed to the present meeting “Old Business” means that you are reconsidering matters already disposed of, “Unfinished Business” means that you are continuing with matters which are currently not completed

 Matters initiated in the present meeting

 Discussion that does not initiate business, meaning there is no motion for the chair to entertain  E.g “ I am going to the cities this weekend, does anyone need a ride there?”

1. What is a motion? 2. Motion Process

 A motion is a formal proposal from a member that the assembly take certain action  E.g. I move to suspend house rule X from Sunday at noon to Monday at 8 am.  This shows that the member is requesting the assembly’s action to be his proposal of suspending house rule X from Sunday at noon to Monday at 8 am.

 1. The member stands and addresses the chairperson to be recognized before speaking.  2. State the motion, “I move...”  3. Someone seconds the motion, “I second...”  4. The Chair states, “It has been moved by (name) and seconded that...”  5. The Chair asks, “Is there any discussion?” (discussion is automatically opened). Every member has the right to talk, and the right to speak at least once before someone may speak twice. The member who made the motion has the floor at the beginning of the discussion. If a member feels that the discussion has moved off topic of the motion a member may raise his hand and state “point of order,” which calls the discussion back to the topic of the motion. Also, If a member believes the discussion has been exhausted, a member may raise his hand and say “call to question,” which is a request to bring the discussion to a vote.  6. In taking the vote, the chapter has the following options:  Voice vote  Show of hand  Ballot vote

 7. Except where stated otherwise, a majority must be reached to approve a motion. A majority is one more than half of the votes cast. For example: 25 people are present, 21 people cast votes, 11 votes are needed to pass the motion.  8. Upon completion of the vote count, the chair rules on the vote and states the result.

 *If you don’t want any action taken from the discussion, you should not make a motion  *If you want action to come from the discussion, you make a motion  *Any complicated motions are to be prepared in writing in advance to cause less confusion and help correspond to the record of minutes  *You do not need to stand to second a motion

 Rights  Privileges  Proxy  Requirements for passing motions

 Article XIV: Miscellaneous  Section 6: ▪ “Voting rights include matters pertained to membership and finances. Everything else is a voting privilege.”

 Constitution  Article V. Meetings Section 10  Members that are unable to attend a chapter meeting must provide notice to the President or VP Administration prior to an absence. A member may give another member power of vote by proxy by presenting the chapter President or VP Administration with a notice of said proxy. Proxies allow a member to vote in place of another. A member may submit an absentee vote by providing the President or VP of Administration with a written ballot containing his signature. Absentee votes are made when you cannot attend meeting. Absentees may only be made if that member has voting privileges unless the issues pertain to finances or membership.

 Motions requiring a super majority vote (2/3). 1. Amending or suspending the Constitution Bylaws, House Rules, and all appendices 2. Impeaching an officer 3. The Chapter membership altering or dismissing the sanction 4. Approval of the Judicial Board members 5. Deeming an event mandatory

 Motions requiring a (3/4) vote.  Expulsion of a member  Changing a member’s status who is on academic probation  Exceptions for alumni and associate members living in house  Allowing a member to live out-of-house and hold an Executive Office

 To table is to lay a topic on the table or to move for postponement of consideration until a specified date. E.g.  I move to table the discussion of the budget until the next Chapter meeting.

 To nominate a member simply state, I nominate X.  They will respond will “I accept” or “I respectfully decline.”  Nominations do not require a second

1. The Rights of the organization as a whole supersede the rights of individual members 1. A Quorum must be present to conduct business and/or to take legal action 1. Only one Main Motion (Question) May be on the floor at a time

1. Debatable Motions Must Receive Full Debate 1. (The presiding officer may not put a debatable motion to vote as long as any member wishes to debate the motion. Every member has the right to understand the meaning of any question presented during a meeting and to know what effect any decision will have.)

1. Personal Remarks During debate are Always Out of Order 1. Debate must be directed to the motion on the floor, not motives; to principles, not personalities. 2. Once the Question has been Decided, It (or a Similar Question) Cannot be Brought Up Again at the Same Meeting 3. The Majority Rules 1. once a decision has been reached by the proper majority vote of the members present, the minority must respectfully abide by the decision

1. Choosing to abstain 1.Members who abstain (chose to not vote) are allowing the decision of the majority to happen by their silence.