Robert's Rules

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
	About This Book
	(Not So) Foolish Assumptions
	Icons Used in This Book
	Beyond the Book
	Where to Go from Here
		Parliamentary procedure education in your area
		Hiring a professional parliamentarian
Part 1 It’s Parliamentary, My Dear: Participating Effectively in Meetings
	Chapter 1 Following the Rules (Robert’s, That Is)
		Keeping Things Informal
		Making Meetings Meaningful
		A Brief History of Robert’s Rules
		Being Empowered at Meetings
		Understanding What Parliamentary Procedure Is
			General parliamentary law
			Principles of parliamentary law
		Achieving Personal Goals
		Experiencing Personal Success
	Chapter 2 Defining the Organization: Bylaws and Other Rules
		Covering the Rules about Rules
			Classifying your rules
			Ranking the rules
			Laying down rule requirements
		Uncovering Bylaw Basics
		Breaking Down the Content of Bylaws
		Making Sure Your Bylaws Are Complete
			Express-permission needed bylaws
			Special bylaw provisions for convention-holding organizations
		Amending Your Bylaws
			Setting the conditions for amending your bylaws
			Giving notice of bylaw amendments
			Handling a motion to amend bylaws
		Interpreting Bylaws
		Publishing Your Bylaws and Other Rules
	Chapter 3 Meetings: Making Group Decisions
		Defining the Deliberative Assembly
		(Un)Tying the Hands of the Assembly in Future Sessions
		Understanding Types of Business Meetings
			Regular meetings
			Special meetings
			Adjourned meetings
			Annual meetings
			Executive session
		Conducting Your Business
			Giving notice and getting people to the meeting
			Getting some help up front
			Planning the work
			Getting down to business
				Making motions
				Discussing and debating
				Adjourning
		Participating in Meetings as a Member
			Addressing the presiding officer
			Speaking through the chair
			Waiting for recognition before speaking
		Presiding over Meetings with Style
		Relaxing the Rules at Meetings
			Considering things informally
			Taking it easy in small boards
		Meeting Virtually
			Amending your bylaws to make virtual meetings possible
			Evaluating meeting platforms
			Adopting special rules of order
	Chapter 4 Notice and a Quorum
		Giving Notice of Meetings
			Regular meetings
			Special meetings
			Selecting forms of giving notice
			Protecting the rights of absentees
		Quorum Defined
			Determining how many is enough for a meeting
			Establishing a quorum
			Counting ex-officio members in board and committee quorums
			Knowing what you can do without a quorum
			Handling emergencies quorumless
	Chapter 5 Ordering Business: The Agenda
		Order of Business Sequence
			Approving the minutes
			Hearing the reports of officers, boards, and standing committees
			Receiving reports from special committees
			Taking up special orders
			Turning to unfinished business and general orders
			Calling for new business
		Using an Agenda
			Understanding the agenda
			Using Robert’s Rules’ basic agenda
Part 2 Motions: Putting Ideas into Action
	Chapter 6 Main Motions: Proposing Ideas for Group Action
		Understanding Motion Basics
			Classifying motions
			Defining relationships between the classes
			Knowing when to use secondary motions
		Taking the Plunge with a Main Motion
			Examining examples of main motions
			Understanding the main motion’s purpose
			Putting your motion in writing
			Making your motion in proper form
		Breaking Down the Types of Main Motions
			Original main motions
			Incidental main motions
		Giving Previous Notice of Motions
		Working within Limits: Basic Rules for Main Motions
		Avoiding Out-of-Order Main Motions
		Handling a Main Motion in Eight Easy Steps
			Step 1: The member rises and addresses the chair
			Step 2: The chair recognizes the member
			Step 3: The member makes the motion
			Step 4: Another member seconds the motion
			Step 5: The chair states the motion
			Step 6: The members debate the motion
			Step 7: The chair puts the question and the members vote
			Step 8: The chair announces the result
	Chapter 7 Debate: Discussing the Pros and Cons of Ideas
		Understanding the Debate Process
		To Debate or Not to Debate, That is the Question!
		Presiding over the Debate
			Starting the debate
			Assigning the floor
			Deciding who to recognize
			Refraining from debate
			Handling an appeal
			Closing debate and taking the vote
		Debating As a Member
			Taking your turn
			Seeking recognition and obtaining the floor
			Recognizing limitations on debate
			Getting around the rules by changing the limits of debate
			Knowing when it’s okay to interrupt
		Playing Nice: Decorum in Debate
		Dealing with Disruption: Dilatory and Improper Motions
	Chapter 8 Making Group Decisions: Voting on the Motion
		Knowing Your Voting Rights and Responsibilities
			Voting as a duty
			Abstaining from voting
			Voting for yourself
			Interrupting a vote
			Explaining your vote
			Changing your vote
			Making your vote count — once!
			Deciding questions of procedure
		Taking Your Pick of Voting Methods
			Unanimous consent
			Voice vote (viva voce)
			Rising vote
			Counted vote
			Roll-call vote
			Voting by ballot
		Allowing Absentee Voting
			Voting by proxy
			Voting by mail
			Voting online
		Determining Voting Results
			Crossing voting thresholds
			Handling tie votes
			Challenging a vote
	Chapter 9 Subsidiary Motions: Helping to Process the Main Motion
		Disposing of a Main Motion
		Ranking the Subsidiary Motions
		Let’s Vote but Say We Didn’t: Postpone Indefinitely
			Using the motion to Postpone Indefinitely
			Six key characteristics of the motion to Postpone Indefinitely
		Making a Change: Amend
			Six key characteristics of the motion to Amend
			Amending by the book
			Understanding basic forms of amendments
		Sending It to Committee: Commit or Refer
			Using the motion to Commit
			Delegating authority to a committee
			Six key characteristics of the motion to Commit
		Dealing with It Later: Postpone to a Certain Time (Or Postpone Definitely)
			Using the motion to Postpone to a Certain Time
			Limiting the time of postponement
			Six key characteristics of the motion to Postpone to a Certain Time
		How Long Can This Go On? Limit or Extend Limits of Debate
			Using the motion to Limit or Extend the Limits of Debate
			Additional information
			Six key characteristics of Limit or Extend the Limits of Debate
		Enough Already! Previous Question
			Putting the damper on debate
			Using Previous Question to stop debate and vote immediately
			Six key characteristics of the motion Previous Question
		Doing This Now: Lay on the Table
			Using the motion to Lay on the Table
			Six key characteristics of the motion to Lay on the Table
	Chapter 10 Privileged Motions: Getting through the Meeting
		Ranking the Privileged Motions
		Getting Back on Schedule: Call for the Orders of the Day
			Using the motion to Call for the Orders of the Day
			Setting aside the orders of the day
			Six key characteristics of the motion to Call for the Orders of the Day
		It’s Cold in Here: Raise a Question of Privilege
			Using the device Raise a Question of Privilege
			Six key characteristics of the device Raise a Question of Privilege
		Taking a Break: Recess
			Using the motion to Recess
			Six key characteristics of the motion to Recess
		Time to Get Outta Here: Adjourn
			Using the motion to Adjourn
			Six key characteristics of the privileged motion to Adjourn
		Finishing on Another Day: Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn
			Using the motion to Fix the Time to which to Adjourn
			Six key characteristics of the motion to Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn
	Chapter 11 Incidental Motions: Dealing with Questions of Procedure
		Defining Incidental Motions
		Using Incidental Motions
		Following the Rules: Point of Order
			Rising to a point of order
			Beating the clock on points of order
			Looking back in time: Precedent
			Six key characteristics of Point of Order
		Sorry, but I Disagree: Appeal
			The appeal of the motion to Appeal
			Applying the motion to appeal
			Six key characteristics of Appeal
		We Can’t Let That Stop Us: Suspend the Rules
			Moving to Suspend the Rules
			Knowing when you can’t suspend the rules
			Six key characteristics of the motion to Suspend the Rules
		Oh, Come Now! Objection to the Consideration of a Question
			Objecting to Considering a Question
			Six key characteristics of the motion to Objection to the Consideration of a Question
		Too Much in One Fell Swoop: Division of a Question
			Using Division of a Question
			Six key characteristics of the motion Division of the Question
		Going Over This Carefully: Consideration by Paragraph
			Considering by paragraph
			Considering as a whole
			Six key characteristics of the motion Consideration by Paragraph
		Being Sure about the Vote: Division of the Assembly
			Using Division of the Assembly
			Six key characteristics of the motion Division of the Assembly
		Deciding How to Decide: Motions Related to Methods of Voting and the Polls
			Using motions related to methods of voting and the polls
			Six key characteristics of motions related to methods of voting and the polls
		Coming Up with Candidates: Motions Related to Nominations
			Using motions related to nominations
			Six key characteristics of motions related to nominations
		I Can’t Take It Anymore! Request to Be Excused from a Duty
			Requesting to Be Excused from Duty
			Six key characteristics of the Request to Be Excused from a Duty
		Is It in Order To . . . ? Parliamentary Inquiry
			Making a Parliamentary Inquiry
			Six key characteristics of Parliamentary Inquiry
		Needing to Know More: Request for Information
			Using Request for Information
			Six key characteristics of Request for Information
		Making Other Requests
			What was I thinking? Request to Withdraw or Modify a Motion
			Just let me read this: Request to Read Papers
			Six key characteristics of other requests
	Chapter 12 Looking At Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly
		Been There, Done That! Preventing Revoting on Motions
		Having Second Thoughts: Reconsidering
			Understanding “Reconsider” as a parliamentary term
			Using the motion to Reconsider
			Knowing when not to use “Reconsider”
			Using a special form of Reconsider: Reconsider and enter on the minutes
			More considerations on the motion to Reconsider
			Identifying six key characteristics of the motion to Reconsider
		Rescinding or Amending Something Previously Adopted
			Using Rescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted
			Knowing what motions you can’t rescind or amend
			Identifying the six key characteristics of this motion
		Discharging a Committee
			Using the motion to Discharge a Committee
			Identifying six key characteristics of the motion to Discharge a Committee
		Examining What’s Left on the Table — Taking from the Table
			Using the motion to Take from the Table
			Understanding when you can’t take from the table
			Knowing what’s before the assembly when a motion is taken from the table
			Identifying the six key features of the motion to Take from the Table
Part 3 Getting Involved in Leadership
	Chapter 13 Who’s Going to Do the Work? Following Nomination Procedures
		Nominations by the Chair
		Nominations from the Floor
			Opening the floor for nominations
			Handling nominations from the floor
			Debating nominations
			Closing nominations
		Nominations by a Committee
			Selecting the committee
			Working on the committee
			Handling the committee report
		Nominations by Ballot
		Nominations by Mail
		Nominations by Petition
	Chapter 14 Holding Elections and Making Appointments
		Conducting Elections Like a Maestro
			Electing by ballot
			Electing by voice vote
			Electing by roll call
			Determining who wins
			Contesting an election
			Dealing with incomplete elections
		Filling Vacancies
		Making Committee Appointments
			Exploring the methods of appointing committees
			Finding more ways to appoint committee members
	Chapter 15 Running the Show: Officers and Directors
		Perfecting Presidential Presence
			Preparing to lead
			Presiding with pizzazz
			Maintaining magnanimity
			Rounding out the job
		Playing (Not-So) Second Fiddles
			Waiting in the wings: Vice-president
			Keeping jots and tittles: Secretary
			Balancing the books: Treasurer
		Tackling Other Tasks
			Managing the business: Directors
			Keeping the peace: Sergeant-at-arms
			Guarding the gate: Doorkeeper
			Continuing the saga: Historian
			Shelving the tomes: Librarian
			Stowing the scepter: Curator
			Speaking words of wisdom: Chaplain
			Managing the staff: Executive director
			Advising on procedure: Parliamentarian
		Filling Vacancies in Offices
		Defining Terms of Office
	Chapter 16 Gearing Up for the Real Action: Committees
		Defining the Ordinary Committee
			Standing committees
			Special committees
		Taking Stock of Committee Appointment Methods
		Appointing Committee Members
			Making appointments for the right reasons
			Appointing special committees for investigations or deliberations
			Picking the right mix for committees carrying out a specific task
			Selecting ideal members for standing committees
		Following Committee Procedures
			Using small board rules
			Unfettering the discourse
			Easing up on minutes
			Hearing from the masses
		Working on a Committee
			Hearing from the secretary
			Presiding over a committee
			Participating as a committee member
			Adjourning committee meetings
	Chapter 17 Reporting to Your Organization
		Making Minutes Minute
			Styling your minutes
			Composing your meeting’s minutes
			Signing the minutes
			Approving the minutes
			Publishing a record of proceedings
		First Things First: Filing the Treasurer’s Report
		Next Up: Hearing Reports of Other Officers
		Wrapping Up Reporting: Boards and Committees
			Hearing from the executive board
			Handling committee reports
		Knowing What to Do with Reports and Recommendations
		Recognizing Members’ Rights to Consult the Records
	Chapter 18 Disciplining and Removing Officers or Members
		Dealing with a Dictator
			Putting a question from your place
			Removing the presiding officer from the chair
			Removing an officer permanently
		Disciplining Members Who Shame Your Group’s Name
			Checking out the facts first
			Reporting findings of cause
			Holding a trial
		Maintaining Order in Meetings
			Understanding rights of the group
			Knowing what’s expected
			Managing misbehaving members
			Removing nonmembers from the hall
	Chapter 19 Starting a New Association
		Preparing for an Organizational Meeting
		Inviting Prospective Members
		Holding the First Organizational Meeting
			Electing temporary officers
			Adopting your parliamentary authority
			Adopting the resolution to form the association
			Appointing a committee to draft bylaws
			Before you call it a day . . .
		Drawing Up Your Bylaws
			Getting down to bylaw business
			Appointing a subcommittee to write the first draft
			Reviewing the first draft
		Holding Your Second Organizational Meeting
			Calling the meeting
			Approving the minutes
			Adopting the bylaws
		Holding Your Charter Meeting
			Enrolling charter members
			Electing permanent officers
			Handling other essential business
			Adjourning
	Chapter 20 The Convention of Delegates: A Special Kind of Assembly
		Defining the Convention of Delegates
		Serving As a Delegate
		Organizing the Convention Assembly
			Deciding who can vote: Credentials committee
			Establishing some rules: Committee on standing rules
			Knowing when to do what: Convention program committee
		Understanding Other Convention Committees
			Getting down to details: Convention arrangements committee
			Screening proposals for action: Resolutions committee
Part 4 The Part of Tens
	Chapter 21 Ten (Plus Two) Meeting Procedure Myths
		Robert’s Rules Is Just a Guide You Don’t Have to Follow
		Only One Motion Can Be on the Floor at a Time
		The Presiding Officer Can Vote Only to Break a Tie
		The Parliamentarian Makes Rulings
		A Motion Not Seconded Is Void
		Abstentions Count As Yes (or No) Votes
		The Chair Must Ask for Unfinished Business
		The Chair Must Call for Nominations Three Times
		If the Winner Doesn’t Serve, Second Place Can Take Over
		Officers Must Be Members
		Ex Officio Members Can’t Vote
		Motions Don’t Take Effect Until Minutes Are Approved
	Chapter 22 Ten Tips for Presiding Officers
		Know Your Rules
		Plan Your Meetings
		Start Your Meetings on Time
		Use Unanimous Consent
		Use Committees
		Preside with Impartiality
		Never Give up the Chair
		Don’t Share Your Lectern
		Keep Your Cool
		Use a Parliamentarian
	Chapter 23 Ten Motion Mistakes to Avoid
		“Reconsidering” a Vote
		Speaking without Recognition
		Moving to “Table!”
		Calling the Question
		Tabling It until Next Month
		Offering a Point of Information
		Offering Friendly Amendments
		Making Motions to Accept or Receive Reports
		Dispensing with the Minutes
		Wasting Breath on “I So Move”
	Chapter 24 Ten Custom Rules to Consider
		Changing the Ten-Minute Speech Rule
		Defining Your Quorum
		Establishing Rules Related to the Quorum
			Authorize your board to fill its vacancies to achieve a quorum
			Authorize a mail or Internet vote to change an impossible quorum
		Electing by Voice instead of by Ballot
		Adopting Special Vote Thresholds
		Authorizing a Committee to Adopt Its Own Rules
		Authorizing Spending When Adopting Budgets
		Requiring an Adopted Agenda by Rule
		Adopting a Customized Order of Business
		Breaking a Tie in Elections
	Chapter 25 Ten Considerations for Electronic Meetings
		Developing Bylaw Provisions
		Making Members Responsible for Connection and Access
		Providing for a Quorum Call
		Obtaining Recognition to Speak
		Interrupting a Speaker
		Establishing Requirements for Motions
		Hearing “What Are We Voting on?” Less Frequently
		Covering Voting Methods
		Noting Comings-and-Goings
		Pulling the Plug
Appendix: Glossary of Parliamentary Terms
Index
EULA