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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRoberts Rules Cheat SheetROBERTS RULES CHEAT SHEET To: You say:Interrupt Speaker Second NeededDebatableAmendableVote NeededAdjourn "I move that we adjourn"NoYesNoNoMajorityRecess "I move that we recess until…"NoYesNoYesMajorityComplain about noise, room temp., etc. "Point of privilege"YesNoNoNoChair DecidesSuspend further consideration of something "I move that we table it"NoYesNoNoMajorityEnd debate "I move the previous question"NoYesNoNo2/3Postpone consideration of something "I move we postpone this matter until…"NoYesYesYesMajorityAmend a motion "I move that this motion be amended by..."NoYesYesYesMajorityIntroduce business (a primary motion) "I move that…"NoYesYesYesMajority The above listed motions and points are listed in established order of precedence. When any one of them is pending, you may not introduce another that is listed below, but you may introduce another that is listed above it. To: You say: Interrupt SpeakerSecond Needed DebatableAmendableVote NeededObject to procedure or personal affront "Point of order"YesNoNoNoChair decidesRequest information "Point of information"YesNoNoNoNoneAsk for vote by actual count to verify voice vote "I call for a division of the house"Must be done before new motionNoNoNoNone unless someone objects Object to considering some undiplomatic or improper matter "I object to consideration of this question" YesNoNoNo2/3Take up matter previously tabled "I move we take from the table…"YesYesNoNoMajorityReconsider something already disposed of "I move we now (or later) reconsider our action relative to…" YesYesOnly if original motion was debatable NoMajorityConsider something out of its scheduled order "I move we suspend the rules and Consider …"NoYesNoNo2/3Vote on a ruling by the Chair "I appeal the Chair’s decision"YesYesYesNoMajority The motions, points and proposals listed above have no established order of preference; any of them may be introduced at any time except when meeting is considering one of the top three matters listed from the first chart (Motion to Adjourn, Recess or Point of Privilege). Page 1 of 4 Page 2 of 4 PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING A MAIN MOTION NOTE: Nothing goes to discussion without a motion being on the floor. Obtaining and assigning the floor, A member raises hand when no one else has the floor • The chair recognizes the member by name How the Motion is Brought Before the Assembly • The member makes the motion: I move that (or "to") ... and resumes his seat. • Another member seconds the motion: I second the motion or I second it or second. • The chair states the motion: It is moved and seconded that ... Are you ready for the question? Consideration of the Motion 1. Members can debate the motion. 2. Before speaking in debate, members obtain the floor. 3. The maker of the motion has first right to the floor if he claims it properly 4. Debate must be confined to the merits of the motion. 5. Debate can be closed only by order of the assembly (2/3 vote) or by the chair if no one seeks the floor for further debate. The chair puts the motion to a vote 1. The chair asks: Are you ready for the question? If no one rises to claim the floor, the chair proceeds to take the vote. 2. The chair says: The question is on the adoption of the motion that ... As many as are in favor, say ‘Aye’. (Pause for response.) Those opposed, say 'Nay'. (Pause for response.) Those abstained please say ‘Aye’. The chair announces the result of the vote. 1. The ayes have it, the motion carries, and ... (indicating the effect of the vote) or 2. The nays have it and the motion fails WHEN DEBATING YOUR MOTIONS 1. Listen to the other side 2. Focus on issues, not personalities 3. Avoid questioning motives 4. Be polite Page 3 of 4 HOW TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IN MEETINGS MAIN MOTION You want to propose a new idea or action for the group. • After recognition, make a main motion. • Member: I move that ." AMENDING A MOTION You want to change some of the wording that is being discussed. • After recognition, I move that the motion be amended by adding the following ___ • After recognition, I move that the motion be amended by striking out the following __ • After recognition, I move that the motion be amended by striking out the following words ____, and adding in their place the following words __. REFER TO A COMMITTEE You feel that an idea or proposal being discussed needs more study and investigation. • After recognition, I move that the question be referred to a committee made up of members Smith, Jones and Brown." POSTPONE DEFINITELY or TO A TIME CERTAIN You want the membership to have more time to consider the question under discussion and you want to postpone it to a definite time or day, and have it come up for further consideration. • After recognition, I move to postpone the question until ____” PREVIOUS QUESTION You think discussion has gone on for too long and you want to stop discussion and vote. • After recognition, I move the previous question." LIMIT DEBATE You think discussion is getting long, but you want to give a reasonable length of time for consideration of the question. This may require a suspension of the rules. • After recognition, I move to limit discussion to two minutes per speaker." POSTPONE INDEFINITELY You want to kill a motion that is being discussed. • After recognition, I move to postpone the question indefinitely." RECESS You want to take a break for a while. • After recognition, I move to recess for ten minutes." ADJOURNMENT You want the meeting to end and believe that all items on the agenda have been completed. • After recognition, I move to adjourn." Page 4 of 4 CALL FOR ORDERS OF THE DAY At the beginning of the meeting, the agenda was adopted. The chairman is not following the order of the approved agenda. • Without recognition, "Call for orders of the day." SUSPENDING THE RULES There is a need to modify the rules to accomplish what you think needs to be done. In most cases this requires a 2/3 vote of the assembly. • After recognition, I move to suspend the rules and move item 5 to position 2." POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE The noise outside the meeting has become so great that you are having trouble hearing. • Without recognition, "Point of personal privilege." • Chairman: "State your point." • Member: "There is too much noise in the room for many of us to hear the speakers." POINT OF ORDER It is obvious that the meeting is not following proper rules. • Without recognition, "I rise to a point of order," or "Point of order." POINT OF INFORMATION You are wondering about some of the facts under discussion, such as the balance in the treasury when expenditures are being discussed. • Without recognition, "I rise to a Point of information." POINT OF PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY You are confused about some of the parliamentary rules. • Without recognition, "I rise to a Point of parliamentary inquiry." APPEAL A DECISION OF THE CHAIR Without recognition, "I appeal from the decision of the chair." Rule Classification and Requirements Class of Rule Requirements to Adopt Requirements to Suspend Charter or Governing Statutes Adopted by majority vote or as provided by law or governing authority Cannot be suspended and nothing in conflict can be adopted Constitution and Bylaws for the Organization Rules for adoption and amendment are embedded in the Constitution and Bylaws Cannot be suspended and nothing in conflict can be adopted Bylaws Adopted by membership Cannot be suspended Special Rules of Order Previous notice & 2/3 vote, or a majority of entire membership 2/3 Vote Rules adopted for the meeting Majority vote Can be suspended for session by 2/3 vote during a meeting