Basic Parliamentary Procedure Robert’s Rules of Order

1. Basic Parliamentary ProcedureRobert’s Rules of Order Cliff Creel, Stated Clerk Presbytery of Northern New England

2. Parliamentary Principles • Will of majority shall prevail. • Rights of minority shall be protected. • Protect the rights of the individual. • Protect against instability. • All councils must conduct business according to Robert’s Rules of Order. (G-3.0105)

3. Quorum / Majority • A quorum should be stated in the bylaws. Otherwise it is a majority of the membership. • Most decisions are passed by a majority (more than ½) of those present and voting. • Decisions that affect the rights of the minority require a supermajority. • Those that abstain are not counted.

4. Voting Example • Assume you have 9 members on session with a quorum of a majority. • 5 members are present at this meeting – a quorum • 2 abstain, so only 3 vote (2 for, 1 against) • The motion passes by a valid majority – you have a quorum and a majority of those present and voting voted yes, even though there were only 2 votes in favor of the motion out of an 9 member session. • If controversial issue, consider a vote to reconsider and postpone to the next meeting when more will hopefully be present.

5. Motions • Motions should be short, concise statements of what action is to be approved, who will do it, how much it will cost and when it is to be done. • Do not put supporting explanations in motions, but rather in a separate statement. • Motions must be seconded unless coming from committee.

6. Motion Text • Bad motion: “The Worship committee moves that we hold a fund raiser for hymnals”. • Better motion: “The Worship committee moves approval of a fund raiser to be held during the first week of November 2012 following worship in the fellowship hall. The fund raiser is to be managed by the Worship committee and will consist of $25 donations towards the purchase of 200 hymnals. Any extra proceeds will be used to purchase music for the choir”

7. Discussion of Motion • After motion is seconded, call for discussion. • Each person may only speak once as long as others want to speak that have not spoken. • In controversial issues, alternate between those for and those against. • End discussion when no one else has anything to say or “previous question” is called and approved by 2/3 vote.

8. Amendments • An amendment changes a motion by adding, striking out or substituting some or all of the motion. • Amendments must be seconded. • Discuss amendment and then vote on whether to accept the amendment – then return to discussion of amended main motion • Some motions cannot be amended.

9. Subsidiary Motions In order of precedence: • Lay on table (frequently misused) • Previous Question (requires 2/3 vote) • Limit or extend debate (requires 2/3 vote) • Postpone to certain time • Commit or refer to a committee • Amend • Postpone indefinitely (kills the motion)

10. Privileged Motions In order of precedence: (Note that these outrank the subsidiary motions) • Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn • Adjourn • Recess • Question of Privilege • Call for Orders of the Day

11. Some Non-Ranking Motions • Appeal chair’s decision • Point of Order (call attention to an error) • Division of Assembly (count the vote) • Divide the Question • Consider Seriatim (by paragraph) • Reconsider • Rescind (requires 2/3 vote or previous notice) • Take from the Table