Robert's Rules of Order

by Robert III, Henry M.

• ISBN13: 9780738203072
• ISBN10: 0738203076
• Edition: 10th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-11-09
• Publisher: PublicAffairs

Summary

Originally published as a slim document in 1896, General Henry M. Robert's classic guide to smooth, orderly, and fairly conducted meetings has sold close to five million copies in nine editions. The only book containing the completely developedRobert's Rules of Ordersubject matter, this latest edition will continue the book's reputation as the gold standard of meeting procedure for parliamentarians and novice club presidents and members alike. Thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the past decade's technological advances and usage, this tenth edition contains new information on how to conduct meetings over the Internet, on phone and video conference calls, and with members in absentia. The best book from which to learn all about running and taking an effective part in meetings, General Robert's gift of order is as indispensable now as it was a century ago.

Author Biography

Henry M. Robert III is co-author of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 10th Edition, the current and official manual adopted by most organizations to govern their meetings.

Table of Contents

Preface to the 10th Edition	xix
Introduction	xxv
Principles Underlying Parliamentary Law	xlvii
I THE DELIBERATIVE ASSEMBLY: ITS TYPES AND THEIR RULES
The Deliberative Assembly	1	(8)
Nature of the Deliberative Assembly	1	(4)
Types of Deliberative Assembly	5	(4)
Applicability of Modified Parliamentary Rules in Small Boards and Committees	9	(1)
Rules of an Assembly or Organization	9	(10)
Corporate Charter	10	(2)
Constitution; Bylaws	12	(3)
Rules of Order	15	(3)
Standing Rules	18	(1)
II THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS IN A DELIBERATIVE ASSEMBLY
Basic Provisions and Procedures	19	(1)
Minimum Composition of a Deliberative Assembly	20	(1)
Pattern of Formality	21	(3)
Call to Order; Order of Business	24	(2)
Means by Which Business Is Brought Before the Assembly	26	(2)
Obtaining and Assigning the Floor	28	(3)
The Handling of a Motion	31	(52)
How a Motion Is Brought Before the Assembly	31	(9)
The Consideration of a Main Motion: Basic Steps	40	(11)
Adoption of a Motion or Action Without a Motion, by Unanimous (or General) Consent	51	(3)
Relation of Other Motions to the Main Motion	54	(1)
III DESCRIPTION OF MOTIONS IN ALL CLASSIFICATIONS
Basic Classifications; Order of Precedence of Motions	55	(4)
Classes of Motions	55	(1)
Secondary Motions as an Underlying Concept	56	(3)
Description of Classes and Individual Motions	59	(17)
Main Motions	59	(1)
Subsidiary Motions	60	(4)
Privileged Motions	64	(2)
Incidental Motions	66	(6)
Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly	72	(4)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics of Motions	76	(3)
IV MEETING AND SESSION
Meeting, Session, Recess, Adjournment	79	(8)
Explanation of Terms	79	(2)
Interrelation of the Concepts	81	(4)
Significance of Session	85	(2)
Particular Types of Business Meetings	87	(8)
Regular Meeting	87	(2)
Special Meeting	89	(1)
Adjourned Meeting	90	(1)
Annual Meeting	91	(1)
Executive Session	92	(1)
Public Session	93	(2)
V THE MAIN MOTION
The Main Motion	95	(26)
Distinction Between Original Main and Incidental Main Motions	95	(3)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	98	(1)
The Framing of Main Motions	99	(7)
Main Motions That Are Not in Order	106	(2)
Treatment of Main Motions	108	(8)
Previous Notice of Motions	116	(2)
Motion to Adopt and Motion to Ratify	118	(3)
VI SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS
Postpone Indefinitely (To drop the main motion without a direct vote on it)	121	(4)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	121	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	122	(1)
Form and Example	123	(2)
Amend	125	(35)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	125	(3)
Further Rules and Explanation (with Forms)	128	(27)
Filling Blanks	155	(5)
Commit or Refer	160	(12)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	161	(2)
Further Rules and Explanation	163	(7)
Form and Example	170	(2)
Postpone to a Certain Time (or Definitely)	172	(11)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	172	(3)
Further Rules and Explanation	175	(6)
Form and Example	181	(2)
Limit or Extend Limits of Debate	183	(6)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	184	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	185	(3)
Form and Example	188	(1)
Previous Question (Immediately to close debate and the making of subsidiary motions except the motion to Lay on the Table)	189	(12)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	190	(3)
Further Rules and Explanation	193	(6)
Form and Example	199	(2)
Lay on the Table (To interrupt the pending business so as to permit doing something else immediately)	201	(10)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	202	(2)
Further Rules and Explanation	204	(5)
Form and Example	209	(2)
VII PRIVILEGED MOTIONS
Call for the Orders of the Day (To demand to take up the proper business in order)	211	(5)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	212	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	213	(3)
Form and Example	216	(1)
Raise a Question of Privilege	216	(6)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	218	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	219	(2)
Form and Example	221	(1)
Recess	222	(3)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	223	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	224	(1)
Form and Example	224	(1)
Adjourn	225	(9)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	227	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	228	(5)
Form and Example	233	(1)
Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn	234	(6)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	235	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	236	(1)
Form and Example	237	(3)
VIII INCIDENTAL MOTIONS
Point of Order	240	(7)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	240	(2)
Further Rules and Explanation	242	(2)
Form and Example	244	(3)
Appeal	247	(5)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	248	(2)
Further Rules and Explanation	250	(1)
Form and Example	251	(1)
Suspend the Rules	252	(6)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	252	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	253	(4)
Form and Example	257	(1)
Objection to the Consideration of a Question	258	(3)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	258	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	259	(1)
Form and Example	260	(1)
Division of Question	261	(5)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	261	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	262	(3)
Form and Example	265	(1)
Consideration by Paragraph or Seriatim	266	(4)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	266	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	267	(3)
Form and Example	270	(1)
Division of the Assembly	270	(3)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	271	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	271	(1)
Form and Example	272	(1)
Motions Relating to Methods of Voting and the Polls	273	(2)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	273	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	274	(1)
Motions Relating to Nominations	275	(2)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	275	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	276	(1)
Request to Be Excused from a Duty	277	(3)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	278	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	278	(2)
Requests and Inquiries	280	(9)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	280	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation (with Forms)	281	(8)
Parliamentary Inquiry	281	(1)
Point of Information	282	(1)
Request for Permission (or Leave) to Withdraw or, Modify a Motion	283	(3)
Request to Read Papers	286	(1)
Request for Any Other Privilege	287	(2)
IX MOTIONS THAT BRING A QUESTION AGAIN BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY
Take from the Table	289	(4)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	289	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	290	(3)
Form and Example	293	(1)
Rescind; Amend Something Previously Adopted	293	(6)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	294	(2)
Further Rules and Explanation	296	(2)
Form and Example	298	(1)
Rescind and Expunge from the Minutes	299	(1)
Discharge a Committee	299	(5)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	300	(1)
Further Rules and Explanation	301	(2)
Form and Example	303	(1)
Reconsider	304	(21)
Standard Descriptive Characteristics	306	(4)
Further Rules and Explanation	310	(9)
Form and Example	319	(2)
Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes	321	(4)
X RENEWAL OF MOTIONS; DILATORY AND IMPROPER MOTIONS
Renewal of Motions	325	(6)
Nonrenewability During the Same Session, and Exceptions	326	(3)
Conditions That May Impede Renewal at a Later Session	329	(2)
Dilatory and Improper Motions	331	(3)
Dilatory Motions	331	(1)
Improper Motions	332	(2)
XI QUORUM; ORDER OF BUSINESS AND RELATED CONCEPTS
Quorum	334	(6)
Rules Pertaining to the Quorum	334	(3)
Manner of Enforcing the Quorum Requirement	337	(2)
Call of the House	339	(1)
Order of Business; Orders of the Day; Agenda or Program	340	(24)
Usual Order of Business in Ordinary Societies	342	(9)
Taking Up Business Out of Its Proper Order	351	(2)
Orders of the Day	353	(7)
Agenda or Program	360	(4)
XII ASSIGNMENT OF THE FLOOR; DEBATE
Rules Governing Assignment of the Floor	364	(9)
Recognition of a Member	364	(2)
Assignment of the Floor When More Than One Person Claims It	366	(5)
Interruption of a Member Assigned the Floor	371	(2)
Rules Governing Debate	373	(14)
Summary of Procedures Incident to Debate	373	(2)
Length and Number of Speeches	375	(2)
Modification of General Limits of Debate	377	(2)
Decorum in Debate	379	(3)
Rule Against the Chair's Participation in Debate	382	(1)
Occasions Justifying Brief Discussion Outside Debate	383	(1)
Principles Governing the Debatability of Motions	384	(3)
XIII VOTING
Bases for Determining a Voting Result	387	(6)
Majority Vote: the Basic Requirement	387	(1)
Two-Thirds Vote	388	(1)
Modifications of Usual Bases for Decision	389	(2)
Plurality Vote	391	(1)
Tie Votes and Cases in Which the Chair's Vote Affects the Result	392	(1)
Voting Procedure	393	(23)
Rights and Obligations in Voting	393	(2)
Regular Methods of Voting on Motions	395	(3)
Other Methods of Voting	398	(18)
XIV NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Nominations and Elections	416	(15)
Nominations	416	(8)
Elections	424	(7)
XV OFFICERS; MINUTES AND OFFICERS' REPORTS
Officers	431	(20)
Principles Applying to Holding of Office	431	(1)
Elected Officers	432	(15)
Appointed Officers or Consultants	447	(4)
Minutes and Reports of Officers	451	(13)
Minutes	451	(8)
Reports of Officers	459	(5)
XVI BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Boards	464	(7)
The Executive Board of an Organized Society	464	(2)
Ex-Officio Board Members	466	(1)
Officers of Boards	467	(1)
Bodies Subordinate to a Board	467	(2)
Conduct of Business in Boards	469	(2)
Committees	471	(14)
Appointment of Committees	474	(8)
Conduct of Business in Committees	482	(3)
Reports of Boards and Committees	485	(27)
General Considerations Affecting Board and Committee Reports	485	(7)
Board Reports	492	(1)
Committee Reports	493	(19)
Committee of the Whole and Its Alternate Forms	512	(14)
Committee of the Whole	514	(7)
Quasi Committee of the Whole (Consideration As If in Committee of the Whole)	521	(2)
Informal Consideration	523	(1)
Aids to the Crystallization of Opinion	524	(2)
XVII MASS MEETINGS; ORGANIZATION OF A PERMANENT SOCIETY
Mass Meetings	526	(10)
Distinguishing Characteristics of a Mass Meeting	526	(1)
Organization of a Mass Meeting	527	(4)
Transaction of Business Specified in the Call	531	(3)
Adjournment	534	(2)
Series of Mass Meetings; Temporary Society	536	(1)
Organization of a Permanent Society	536	(8)
First Organizational Meeting	537	(2)
Work of the Bylaws Committee	539	(1)
Second Organizational Meeting	540	(4)
Merger, Consolidation, and Dissolution of Societies	544	(4)
Combining of Societies	544	(2)
Dissolution of a Society	546	(2)
XVIII BYLAWS
Content and Composition of Bylaws	548	(25)
Nature and Importance of Bylaws	548	(1)
Committee to Draw Up Bylaws	549	(4)
Content of Bylaw Articles	553	(11)
Sample Bylaws	564	(6)
Some Principles of Interpretation	570	(3)
Amendment of Bylaws	573	(8)
Method of Handling Bylaw Amendments	574	(2)
Amending a Proposed Amendment to the Bylaws	576	(1)
Giving Notice of Amendments	577	(1)
Time at Which a Bylaw Amendment Takes Effect	578	(1)
Captions, Headings, and Article and Section Numbers	579	(2)
XIX CONVENTIONS
Conventions of Delegates	581	(7)
Basic Provisions in Bylaws	582	(1)
Convention Members and Alternates	583	(3)
Caucuses	586	(2)
Organization of a Convention of an Established Society	588	(33)
Advance Preparation	588	(1)
Services of a Parliamentarian	589	(1)
Formal Organization Procedure at the Convention	590	(2)
Credentials Committee	592	(7)
Committee on Standing Rules	599	(6)
Program Committee	605	(7)
Convention Arrangements Committee	612	(2)
Resolutions Committee	614	(7)
Conventions Not of a Permanent Society	621	(3)
XX DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
Disciplinary Procedures	624	(21)
Offenses Occurring in a Meeting	625	(4)
Offenses Elsewhere Than in a Meeting; Trials	629	(13)
Remedies Against Misconduct or Dereliction of Duty in Office	642	(3)
Charts, Tables and Lists Index	645