Webster's New WorldTM Robert's Rules of Order : Simplified and Applied

by Unknown

• ISBN13: 9780764563997
• ISBN10: 0764563998
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-08-29
• Publisher: Webster's New World

Summary

This is the clearest, most useful guide to parliamentary procedure, now with new information on effective and reliable procedures for nominations, elections, ballots, balloting, and ballot counting.

Author Biography

About the Author Robert McConnell Productions is a multimedia company providing simplified information about parliamentary procedure in the form of videos, books, magazine articles, and a Web site: http://parli.com. The company published Robert's Rules of Order: Simplified and Applied in 1998, a book designed to take the complexity and the mystery out of Robert's Rules and to explain it to users in plain, easily understandable terms. The company also makes special interest videos in its own production studio. To date, the company has made five videos about parliamentary procedure. Parliamentary Procedure Made Simple: The Basics is an 80-minute video produced in 1993. It has sold more than 12,000 copies worldwide so far. The next video, produced in 1996, is All About Motions, a 140-minute video covering all the motions in Robert's Rules of Order. The third and fourth videos are a 32-minute How to Conduct a Meeting and its Spanish companion version, the 46-minute Como Conducir Reuniones, the world's first video about parliamentary procedure made in Spanish. The fifth video is Nominations & Elections, a video designed to keep organizations out of trouble by showing them how to do the electoral process correctly. The company markets these videos through a combination of direct mail brochures, targeted faxes, and a Web site, http://parli.com, which was the first Web site about parliamentary procedure on the Internet. The company also makes and markets videos about France, Russia, and Cuba, and produces custom-made videos for corporate clients. Robert McConnell Productions has been in business since 1993.

Table of Contents

Preface	xvii
Introduction	xix
PART I: Meetings and Organizations
The Basics	3	(10)
Structure of an Organization	3	(1)
Applying Democratic Principles to Organizations	4	(2)
Defining Parliamentary Procedure	6	(1)
Importance of Parliamentary Procedures	7	(1)
Basic Principles of Parliamentary Procedure	7	(6)
Taking Up Business One Item at a Time	8	(1)
Promoting Courtesy, Justice, Impartiality, and Equality	9	(2)
The Rule of the Majority and Protection of the Minority	11	(2)
The Order of a Business Meeting	13	(18)
Planning and Using Agendas	13	(7)
Accepted Order of Business	14	(2)
Creating a Specific Agenda	16	(2)
Adopting the Agenda	18	(1)
Mailing an Agenda to the Members	19	(1)
Consent and Priority Agendas	19	(1)
Quorum	20	(3)
How to Keep a Record of the Quorum	22	(1)
What to Do When No Quorum Is Present	22	(1)
A Business Meeting in Action	23	(8)
Calling the Meeting to Order	23	(1)
Reading and Approving the Minutes	23	(2)
Reports of Officers	25	(1)
Reports of Committees	26	(2)
Unfinished Business and General Orders	28	(1)
New Business	28	(2)
Adjourning the Meeting	30	(1)
Presenting Business to the Assembly	31	(14)
Basic Steps in Presenting a Motion	31	(2)
Making a Main Motion	33	(2)
Discussing a Motion	35	(2)
Taking the Vote	37	(2)
Completing the Action on the Motion	39	(1)
Important Points to Remember Before Making a Motion	39	(4)
Resolutions	43	(2)
Debating the Motion	45	(8)
Rules of Debate	46	(3)
Limitations on Debate	49	(1)
Debatable Motions And Undebatable Motions	49	(4)
Voting	53	(22)
Procedure for Taking a Vote	54	(1)
The Majority Rules	55	(4)
Majority Vote Defined	56	(1)
Modifications in Majority Vote	56	(3)
A Two-Thirds Vote	59	(1)
A Three-Fourths Vote	59	(1)
The Tie Vote	60	(1)
Ways the Vote Can Be Taken	60	(8)
Taking a Vote by Voice	61	(1)
Taking a Vote by Show of Hands	61	(1)
Taking a Vote by Rising (Standing)	62	(1)
Taking a Vote by Ballot	62	(2)
Taking a Vote by Mail	64	(1)
Taking a Vote by E-mail	65	(1)
Taking a Vote by General or Unanimous Consent	66	(2)
Doubting the Result of the Vote	68	(1)
Calling for a Division	68	(1)
Doubting the Result of a Ballot Vote or Roll Call Vote	69	(1)
Other Voting Procedures	69	(1)
Frequently Asked Questions About Voting	70	(5)
PART II: Motions Simplified
Motions	75	(10)
Classes of Motions	75	(7)
Main Motions	76	(2)
Secondary Motions	78	(3)
Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly	81	(1)
Previous Notice of Motions	82	(1)
The Ranking of Motions	82	(3)
Using Subsidiary Motions to Help Adopt a Main Motion	85	(22)
Postpone Indefinitely	85	(2)
Amend	87	(3)
Voting on Amendments to the Main Motion	90	(4)
Refer to a Committee	94	(1)
Committee (or Quasi-Committee) of the Whole	95	(1)
Consider Informally	96	(1)
Postpone to a Certain Time	97	(1)
Postpone to a Certain Time Made into a Special Order	98	(1)
Limit or Extend the Limits of Debate	99	(2)
Previous Question (Close Debate)	101	(3)
Lay on the Table	104	(1)
Legitimate Uses of the Motion Lay on the Table	105	(2)
Using Privileged Motions	107	(10)
Calls for the Orders of the Day	107	(2)
Raise a Question of Privilege	109	(2)
Recess	111	(1)
Adjourn	112	(2)
Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn	114	(1)
Fix the Time at Which to Adjourn	115	(2)
Using Incidental Motions	117	(16)
Point of Order	117	(1)
Appeal from the Decision of the Chair (Appeal)	118	(2)
Requests and Inquiries	120	(2)
Request for Permission to Withdraw or Modify a Motion	122	(2)
Request To be Excused from a Duty	124	(1)
Object to Consideration of a Question	125	(1)
Division of the Assembly	126	(1)
Division of the Question	127	(1)
Suspend the Rules	128	(5)
Using Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly	133	(10)
Take from the Table	133	(1)
Reconsider	134	(3)
Rescind and Amend Something Previously Adopted	137	(3)
Discharge a Committee	140	(3)
PART III: Membership
Officers	143	(32)
Elected Officers	143	(1)
The President	144	(8)
Setting Goals for the Organization	145	(1)
Performing Administrative Duties	145	(1)
Presiding at Meetings	145	(6)
Becoming an Effective Presiding Officer	151	(1)
Legal and Ethical Considerations	152	(1)
The Vice President	152	(1)
The Secretary	153	(8)
Meeting Minutes	154	(1)
The Structure of the Minutes	155	(5)
Approval of and Corrections to the Minutes	160	(1)
Finalized Form of the Minutes	160	(1)
Carrying out the Actions in the Minutes	161	(1)
The Treasurer	161	(4)
The Treasurer's Duty in Small Clubs	162	(1)
The Treasurer's Report in Small Clubs	162	(1)
The Treasurer's Duty in Larger Organizations	163	(2)
Boards	165	(7)
Bylaws and Boards	166	(3)
Ex Officio Board Members	169	(1)
Handling Resignations	170	(2)
Passing the Torch	172	(3)
Nominations and Elections	175	(26)
Nominations	175	(5)
Nominations by Committee	176	(1)
Nominations from the Floor	177	(2)
Nominations by Ballot	179	(1)
Nominations by Mail	179	(1)
Nominations by Petition	179	(1)
Other Nominating Procedures	179	(1)
Nominations and the Minutes	179	(1)
Motions Relating to Nominations	180	(1)
Close the Nominations	180	(1)
Reopen the Nominations	181	(1)
Undemocratic Practices in the Nomination and Election Process	182	(1)
Elections	183	(5)
Election by Voice Vote	183	(1)
Election by Ballot Vote	184	(3)
Election by Roll Call Vote	187	(1)
Election by Cumulative Voting	187	(1)
Election by Other Types of Voting	187	(1)
Motions Concerning Elections	188	(1)
Counting and Recording the Ballots by Teller's Committee	189	(7)
Teller's Sheet and Report	189	(1)
Counting the Ballots	190	(2)
Filling Out the Teller's Report	192	(2)
Giving the Teller's Committee Report	194	(2)
Other Points About Elections	196	(2)
Election Irregularities	198	(1)
Taking a Recount	199	(2)
Committees	201	(4)
The Role of a Committee	201	(1)
Standing Committees	202	(1)
Special Committees	202	(1)
Appointment of the Committee Chairman	203	(2)
The Role of the Member	205	(4)
Membership Involvement	206	(1)
Duties of the Members	206	(2)
A Special Responsibility for Members	208	(1)
Discipline	209	(12)
The Unruly Member at Meetings	209	(1)
Penalties	210	(7)
Removing an Offender from the Assembly Hall	211	(1)
Making a Motion to Censure	211	(1)
Censure	211	(4)
Holding a Trial	215	(2)
Some Final Thoughts	217	(4)
PART IV: Meetings and Strategies
Meetings	221	(36)
The Basics	221	(1)
Formal Meetings	222	(10)
Annual Meetings	222	(1)
Regular Meetings	223	(1)
Adjourned Meetings	223	(1)
Executive Sessions	224	(1)
Special Meetings	224	(1)
Sessions	225	(1)
Conventions	225	(4)
Mass Meetings	229	(3)
Informal Meetings	232	(3)
Board Meetings (Under 12 Members)	232	(2)
Committee Meetings (Under 12 Members)	234	(1)
Electronic Meetings	235	(2)
Meeting Management	237	(7)
Managing Meetings at the Office	239	(2)
The Meeting Environment	241	(1)
Evaluating Your Meetings	242	(2)
Meeting Strategies	244	(13)
Strategies for Members	245	(8)
Strategies for Presiding Officers	253	(4)
Strategies for Individual Motions Illustrated	257	(24)
Object to a Motion's Consideration	258	(1)
Subsidiary Motions	258	(14)
Postpone Indefinitely	258	(1)
Amend	259	(7)
Refer to a Committee	266	(1)
Postpone to a Certain Time	267	(2)
Limit or Extend the Limits of Debate	269	(1)
Previous Question	270	(1)
Lay on the Table	271	(1)
Privileged Motions	272	(4)
Raise a Question of Privilege	272	(1)
Recess	273	(1)
Adjourn	274	(1)
Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn	275	(1)
Incidental Motions	276	(1)
Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly	276	(2)
Reconsider the Vote	276	(2)
Rescind	278	(1)
Other Helpful Motions	278	(3)
Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes	279	(2)
Most Frequently Asked Questions	281	(32)
Voting	281	(9)
The Secretary and Minutes	290	(3)
The President	293	(5)
Nominations and Elections	298	(4)
Other Officers	302	(1)
Ex Officio Officers and Members	303	(1)
Quorum	304	(1)
Meetings	305	(3)
Motions	308	(5)
PART V: Governing Documents
Various Types of Governing Documents	313	(6)
The Corporate Charter	313	(2)
Constitution and Bylaws	315	(1)
Rules of Order	315	(2)
Standing Rules	317	(2)
Bylaws	319	(70)
Composition of Bylaws	319	(11)
Name	320	(1)
Object	320	(1)
Members	321	(1)
Officers	322	(2)
Meetings	324	(2)
Executive Boards	326	(2)
Committees	328	(1)
Parliamentary Authority	329	(1)
Amending the Bylaws	329	(1)
Other Bylaw Provisions	329	(1)
Revising the Bylaws	330	(2)
Amending the Bylaws	332	(1)
Helpful Motions for Bylaw Revision and Amendment	333	(1)
Seriatim (Consideration Paragraph by Paragraph)	333	(2)
Proviso	335	(1)
Sample Bylaws	336	(7)
PART VI: Appendices
Appendix A: Correct Parliamentary Terminology	343	(20)
Main Motions	343	(1)
Voting	344	(1)
Subsidiary Motions	345	(1)
Postpone Indefinitely (Kill a Motion)	345	(1)
Amend	345	(2)
Refer to a Committee (Commit)	347	(1)
Postpone to a Certain Time	347	(2)
Limit or Extend Debate	349	(1)
Close Debate (Previous Question)	349	(1)
Lay on the Table	350	(1)
Privileged Motions	351	(1)
Call for the Orders of the Day	351	(1)
Raise a Question of Privilege	352	(1)
Recess	352	(1)
Adjourn	353	(1)
Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn	354	(1)
Incidental Motions	355	(1)
Point of Order	355	(1)
Parliamentary Inquiry	355	(1)
Point of Information	355	(1)
Appeal from the Decision of the Chair	355	(1)
Object to Consideration of a Question	356	(1)
Suspend the Rules	357	(1)
Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly	357	(1)
Reconsider	357	(1)
Take from the Table	358	(1)
Rescind	359	(1)
Amend Something Previously Adopted	360	(1)
Additional Pointers for the Chair	361	(2)
Appendix B: Meeting Script	363	(6)
Appendix C: Sample Minutes	369	(4)
Minutes of a Regular Meeting	369	(2)
Minutes of an Adjourned Meeting	371	(2)
Appendix D: Steps in Making a Motion	373	(2)
Appendix E: Ranking of Motions	375	(2)
Appendix F: A History	377	(4)
Appendix G: Who Was Henry Robert?	381	(2)
Appendix H: National Organizations	383	(2)
Appendix I: Motions That Take a Majority Vote	385	(2)
Appendix J: Motions That Take a Two-Thirds Vote	387	(2)
Index	389