The document provides an overview of parliamentary procedure and Robert's Rules. It discusses that Henry Robert created the first version of the rules in 1876 after a poor performance running a church board meeting. The rules aim to allow for open and honest discussion in meetings. As a participant, you have rights like expressing opinions and voting, and responsibilities like following the rules. The meeting chair is responsible for impartial rule application and ensuring discussion and agenda adherence. Common motions discussed include laying on the table, postponement, and reconsideration.

1. Parliamentary Procedure
By Jason Fossum

2. Overview
 Robert’s Rules: The who, what, and why
of these rules.
 Rights and responsibilities for you as a
meeting participant.
 Rights and responsibilities of the
meeting chair.
 How to handle main motions.
 Other commonly used motions.

3. Robert’s Rules
 Henry Robert published the first set of his
rules in 1876.
 He was so upset after his poor performance
running a church board meeting that he
vowed to learn about parliamentary
procedure.
 The rules were loosely based off those of the
US House.
 Robert’s Rules are not meant to be used by
legislative bodies.

4. Robert’s Rules
 Why it is important to understand
Robert’s Rules:
◦ Most commonly used meeting procedures.
◦ Business meetings are quite common in life.
◦ Can help you get your way!
◦ Will allow you to help others.
 These rules are set around a couple of
key points.

5. Robert’s Rules
 Key principles behind the rules:
◦ Allow open and honest discussion in a
professional, controlled manner.
◦ Allow for the efficient disposal of business
on your agenda.
◦ Allow the minority opinion to be heard.
◦ Allow the majority to ultimately rule.

6. As a meeting participant…
 You have some rights and
responsibilities.
 You have a right to:
◦ Express your opinion (to a point).
◦ Make motions
◦ Vote on motions (under most
circumstances).
◦ To be treated respectfullly

7. As a meeting participant…
 You have some responsibilities:
◦ To act professionally.
◦ To understand he rules and follow them.
◦ To help others understand and follow the
rules.
◦ To allow others to have their say.

8. The meeting chair….
 The chair of the meeting often holds
the key to the effectiveness of your
business.
 The chair has some rights and
responsibilities just like other
members.
 Their rights often depend on the
organization’s by-laws.

9. The meeting chair…..
 Responsibilities of the chair:
◦ Impartial application of the rules.
◦ Guarantee open and respectful discussion.
◦ Set the agenda.
◦ Ensure the agenda is adhered to in the
meeting.
◦ Controlling the flow of the meeting from
start to finish.
◦ Answering questions when appropriate.
◦ Only applying the rules as strictly as needed
to get the job done.

10. The meeting chair….
 Rights of the chair (Vary by
organization type and governing
documents):
◦ To set the agenda (with approval by the
group).
◦ To enter into debate (under certain
circumstances).
◦ To vote (under certain circumstances).

11. Sample Agenda
 Call to Order
 Roll Call (to establish quorum)
 Approval of minutes
 Approval of the agenda
 Reports
 Old business
◦ Technology fee
 New business
◦ Student life fee increase
◦ Tuition consultation update
 For the Good of the Order
 Adjournment

12. Handling main motions
 Main motions seek to directly dispose
of business on your agenda.
 These are the most commonly used
motions in Robert’s Rules.
 Amendments will seek to change the
main motion in some way.
 Using the logical precedence of motions
will help you better handle your
business!

13. Handling motions
 There are four categories of motions in Robert’s Rules:
◦ Main motion
◦ Subsidiary motion: are used to change how a main
motion is handled or debated (amendment is most
common of this category).
◦ Incidental motion: purpose is to allow for questioning of
procedure (point of order is most common).
◦ Privileged motion: are used to bring other business,
usually unrelated to the main motion before the body (lay
on the table is a common motion in this category).

14. Commonly used motions….
 Lay on the Table: allows for temporary set
aside of your main motion.
 Postponement: allows for longer term set
aside of debate on the main motion.
 Previous Question: allows for the immediate
end to debate on the main motion and
forces a vote.
 Division: allows for clarification on the result
of a voice vote.
 Reconsider: allows for further debate on an
issue that has already been acted upon.

15. Questions?