Robert’s Rules of Order Ramakrishna Kappagantu IEEE Region 10 Director-Elect IEEE Region 10 Meeting Kuching, Malaysia 1-2 March 2014

Rules of Order Rules of order, also known as standing orders or rules of procedure, are written rules of parliamentary procedure adopted by a deliberative assembly, which detail the processes used by the body to make decisions IEEE Bylaws I-300. Management Robert's Rules of Order shall be used to conduct business at meetings of the IEEE Board of Directors, Major Boards, Standing Committees and other organizational units of the IEEE unless other rules of procedure are specified in the Not-For-Profit Corporation Law of the State of New York, the IEEE Certificate of Incorporation, the IEEE Constitution, these Bylaws, the IEEE Policies, resolutions of the IEEE Board of Directors, or the applicable governing documents of those organizational units provided such organizational documents are not in conflict with any of the foregoing.

Origin  Henry Martyn Robert: Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies, February 1876  Robert was an active member of several organizations;  In order to help simplify and organise meetings, he decided to write a manual which would enable organizations to adopt a parliamentary procedure.  Loosely modelled after rules used in the United States House of Representatives

Rules of Order in R10 Committee All members of the committee have equal rights to participate in debate, except that non-voting members do not have right to vote Substantial parts of the meetings are organised in an informal way Formal parts of meetings are normally conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules –Robert’s Rules may not be well known in the countries of Region 10, given their diversity of social, cultural and historical background The Chair should facilitate an orderly, equal and fair debate to take place on all issues The Chair must take a neutral position and may vote only when his/her vote may change the outcome

Main ideas Simplifly parliamentary procedure, not to complicate it Everyone has the right to speak once if they wish, before anyone may speak a second time Everyone has the right to know what is going on at all times Only urgent matters may interrupt a speaker Members discuss one item at a time

How to do things… You want to bring up a new idea before the group. After recognition by the Chair, present your motion A second is required for the motion to go to the floor for consideration (and the motion now belongs to the body) You want a motion just introduced by another person to be killed Without recognition from the Chair, state "I object to consideration" This must be done before any debate This requires no second, is not debatable and requires a 2/3 vote You want to change some of the wording in a motion under debate After recognition by the Chair, move to amend by adding words, striking words or striking and inserting words This may be recognised as a friendly amendment by the person [or body] who proposed the original motion

How to do things… You like the idea of a motion under debate, but you need to reword it beyond simple word changes Move to substitute the motion for the original motion If it is seconded, debate will continue on both motions and eventually the body will vote on which motion they prefer You feel the motion addresses two or more separate issues Move to divide the question You want more study and/or investigation given to the idea under debate Move to refer to a committee Be specific as to the charge to the committee You want more time personally to study the proposal under debate Move to postpone to a definite time or date

How to do things… You want to postpone a motion until some later time Move to table the motion The motion may be taken from the table after 1 item of business has been conducted If the motion is not taken from the table by the end of the next meeting, it is dead You have heard enough debate Move to call the question; this cuts off debate and brings the assembly to a vote on the pending question only Requires a 2/3 vote You want to take a short break Move to recess for a set period of time. You want to end the meeting Move to adjourn

How to do things… You are unsure that the chair has announced the results of a vote correctly Without being recognized, call for a “division of the house." At this point a standing vote will be taken You are confused about a procedure being used and want clarification Without recognition, call for "Point of Information" or "Point of Parliamentary Inquiry" The chair will ask you to state your question and will attempt to clarify the situation You have changed your mind about something that was voted on earlier in the meeting for which you were on the winning side Move to reconsider If the majority agrees, the motion comes back on the floor as though the vote had not occurred

Summary You may INTERRUPT a speaker for these reasons only to get information about business - point of information to get information about rules - parliamentary inquiry if you can't hear, safety reasons, comfort, etc. - question of privilege if you see a breach of the rules - point of order if you disagree with the chair's ruling – appeal You may influence WHAT the members discuss: if you would like to discuss something – motion if you would like to change a motion under discussion – amend You may influence HOW and WHEN the members discuss a motion if you want to discuss the topic at another time – postpone or lay it on the table if you think people are ready to vote – call the question

To:You say: Interrupt Speaker Second Needed Debat ~able Amend ~able Vote Needed Adjourn"I move that we adjourn"NoYesNo Majority Recess"I move that we recess until…"NoYesNoYesMajority Complain about noise, room temp., etc. "Point of privilege"YesNo Chair Decides Suspend further consideration of something "I move that we table it"NoYesNo Majority End debate"I move the question"NoYesNo 2/3 Postpone consideration of something "I move we postpone this matter until…" NoYes Majority Amend a motion "I move that this motion be amended by…" NoYes Majority Introduce business (primary motion) "I move that…"NoYes Majority

To:You say: Interrupt Speaker Second Needed Debat ~able Amend ~able Vote Needed Object to procedure "Point of order" Yes No Chair decides Request information "Point of information"YesNo None Ask for vote by actual count "I call for a division of the house" Must be done before new motion No None unless someone objects Object to considering some matter "I object to consideration of this question" Yes No 2/3 Take up matter previously tabled "I move we take from the table…" Yes No Majority Reconsider something "I move we now (or later) reconsider our action relative to…" Yes Same as original motion NoMajority Vote on a ruling by the Chair "I appeal the Chair’s decision"Yes No Majority

Progress of the meeting 137/6/2016

Responsibilities of the chair Responsible for creation of agenda Runs the meeting and his/her decisions carry (unless overturned by a vote of 2/3 of the body) One motion or discussion at a time May not call the question 7/6/201614

Basics of running a meeting Call to order Approve agenda Approve minutes Action items (motions) Discussions New business/old business Adjourn –note time of next meeting, if known –a motion is not required if agenda done 7/6/201615

Quorum Usually half +1 of the voting members Can have special additional considerations – MGA requires that the quorum for the MGA Board must include at least a majority of the Region Directors. Establish quorum at the start of the meeting; if a quorum is not called, assume the quorum exists. 7/6/201616

Agenda List items for action Group by action, subject or speaker –Action/Discussion/Reports –Committee A/ Committee B –Speaker A/ Speaker B Place action items early (before members begin to leave) May include reports that are not reached 7/6/201617

Agenda (2) Put times – even if you do not adhere to them, it serves as a guide to keep meeting moving Start the meeting on time Meeting must end at the listed time (if approved with the agenda) unless the body agrees to extend the time Make sure to allow time for adjustment – perhaps in the breaks 7/6/201618

Consent Agenda Method for caring for routine business Post prior to the meeting to give members time to review items Approve all motions at once (often at time of agenda approval) Any individual may remove an item No discussion at this time – place into regular agenda 7/6/201619

Adjourn If agenda is complete, chair may close meeting without objection. If agenda not complete, may extend end time of the meeting Often IEEE meetings are not rigid with regard to end times Some S/Cs have rigid end times, with policies on how to extend the time (2/3 vote) 7/6/201620

Majority and Quorum 217/6/2016

How many is a majority? A majority is “more than half” If 24 voting members, majority is 24/2 = 12, more than 12 is 13 If 25 voting members 25/2 = 12.5,more than 12.5 is 13 If 26 voting members 26/2 = 13, more than 13 is 14 22

But.. the denominator is the total number of those eligible to vote who are present at the time of the vote. So… If 24 voting members 13 vote yes 11 vote no 13/24 is > or equal to majority = PASS If 24 voting members 11 vote yes, 9 vote no, 4 abstain 11/24 is < majority = NOT PASS even though a majority of votes cast were yes 23

Quorum Usually half +1 of the voting members Can have special additional considerations – MGA requires that the quorum for the MGA Board must include at least a majority of the Region Directors. Establish quorum at the start of the meeting; if a quorum is not called, assume the quorum exists. 7/6/201624

Thank you!