1. Paul Clarke Nonprofit Resource Center 23 @ 4 Series - July 23, 2009
Because Robert Said So!
Parliamentary Procedure Explained
Paul Clarke Nonprofit Resource Center
4 Series - July 23, 2009

2. Parliamentary Procedure
Traces back to 5th Century England
1801 Thomas Jefferson compiled manual
Widespread use in USA in 1876 when Robert’s Rules of Order published
To date 10 Editions published
Parliamentary law developed mainly in USA
The actual hands-on usage of parliamentary procedure did not become widespread in the United States until Henry Martyn Robert published his famous Rules of Order in 1876.
Henry Martyn Robert was an engineering officer in the regular Army. Without warning he was asked to preside over a public meeting being held in a church in his community and realized that he did not know how. He tried anyway and his embarrassment was supreme. This event, which may seem familiar to many readers, left him determined never to attend another meeting until he knew something of parliamentary law.
Ultimately, he discovered and studied the few books then available on the subject. From time to time, due to his military duties, he was transferred to various parts of the United States where he found virtual parliamentary anarchy since each member from a different part of the country had differing ideas of correct procedure. To bring order out of chaos he decided to write Robert's Rules of Order as it came to be called

3. Rules Governing an Org State & Federal Law Articles of Incorporation
Governing Docs of Parent Org
By-Laws & Local Constitution
Standing Rules
Rules of Order
Precedent & Custom
A. State and Federal Law - governing corporations, tax-exempt organizations, public
legislative bodies, etc.
B. Articles of Incorporation - applicable to corporations
C. Governing Documents of Parent Organizations - applicable to chapters, affiliates, etc. of
larger organizations
D. Local Constitution and Bylaws - defines the organization's basic structure and fundamental
rules. Normally requires a 2/3 vote and prior notice for amendment and are not subject to
suspension.
E. Standing Rules - operating procedures consistent with all of the above. Normally can be
amended by majority vote at any business meeting and can be suspended.
F. Rules of Order - parliamentary authority, superseded by any of the above which conflict.
G. Precedent and Custom - apply when there are no written rules governing a situation.

4. Parliamentary procedure
has been described as a “means of reaching decisions on when and how power shall be used” 
According to such a definition, procedure is at once the “means” used to circumscribe the use of power and a “process” that legitimizes the exercise of, and opposition to, power.

5. Purposes Justice and courtesy for all. One thing at a time.
The rule of the majority.
The rights of the minority.
ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED. THESE RULES ARE, IN EFFECT, DEFAULT RULES; THAT IS TO SAY, THEY GOVERN ONLY IF THERE ARE NO CONTRARY PROVISIONS IN ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR OTHER LAW APPLICABLE TO THE SOCIETY, OR IN THE SOCIETY'S BYLAWS, OR IN ANY SPECIAL RULES OF ORDER THAT THE SOCIETY MAY HAVE ADOPTED.

6. Basic Principles Equal rights, privileges & obligations
Quorum must be present to act
Right to full & free discussion
One question & one speaker at a time
Member right to know immediate pending question
Must be recognized by chair to speak
Personal remarks always Out of Order
Majority decides a question except when member’s basic rights involved
Two-thirds vote required for motion that deprives a member of rights
Silence gives consent
Chair should always remain impartial

7. Typical Order of Business
Call to order
Roll Call / Determination of Quorum
Adoption of agenda
Approval of minutes
Reports
Officers
Standing committees
Special committees
Special orders
Unfinished business
New business
Program
Announcements
Adjournment

8. Presiding Officer’s Role
To remain impartial
Tie vote only
Determine quorum
Introduce business in order
Recognize speakers
Determine if motion in order
Determine if motion in order
Keep discussion on motion
Maintain order
Put motions to vote & announce results
Employ unanimous consent (when appropriate)

9. How to Handle a Motion Be recognized by chair
Make motion (must be seconded)
Here any member may modify wording. Maker must accept or reject
If in order, chair states motion & opens debate

10. Types of Motions
Main
Subsidiary
Privileged
Incidental
Motions that bring a question again before the meeting
Secondary
Main Motions—A main motion is one which brings business before the meeting. It is the most often used and is the device by which a matter is presented to the meeting for possible action.
Subsidiary Motions—Subsidiary motions assist the meeting in treating or disposing of a main motion. They are always applied to another motion while it is pending. The adoption of one of them does something to this other motion, that is, changes its status in some way.
Privileged Motions—Unlike subsidiary or incidental motions, privileged motions do not relate to the pending business but have to do with special, important matters which should be allowed to interrupt the consideration of anything else.
Incidental Motions—Incidental motions relate to the pending business or other business. With but few exceptions, incidental motions are related to the main question in such a way that they must be decided immediately, before business can proceed.
Motions that bring a question again before the meeting—Either by their adoption or introduction, this type of motion serves the function described by the name of the class. This class of motions allows the members, for good reason, to reopen a completed question during the same session, to take up one that has been temporally disposed of, or to change something previously adopted.

11. Debate Motion maker goes first Debate closed when:
Discussion ends, or
Two-thirds vote closes debate
Chair restates motion
Chair calls for vote
Chair announces result
DEBATING
Each motion that is debated receives ten minutes of debate. The member initiating the motion speaks first. The Chair asks for a rebuttal. All members wishing to speak about the motion receive the opportunity to speak before any one member speaks for a second time.
All motions must be seconded and adopted by a majority vote unless otherwise noted. All motions may be debated unless otherwise noted.
VOTING
Majority vote is more than half of the members. 2/3's vote is more 2/3s or more of the members. Be sure to announce what is being voted on before the vote.

12. Rules of Debate Personal attacks not permitted
Discussion relevant to question
May not speak 2nd time until everyone wishes to speak has
Cannot speak more than 2 times, and more than 10 minutes
Cross debate not permitted
Cannot speak against own motion (can vote against)
Personal attacks not permitted
Presiding officer must relinquish chair to debate
When possible alternate for/against
Members may not disrupt assembly
Rules of debate can be changed with two-thirds vote

13. Web Resources http://www.rulesonline.com/ http://www.robertsrules.org/
FAQs
Adopting: