Robert'S Rules Of Order For Beginners printable pdf download

Robert's Rules of Order for Beginners:

Call to Order

This occurs at the beginning of the meeting, once quorum has been attained. Quorum for GRC is at least 50%

of all members, excluding the Speaker and any vacant positions. Quorum for General Meetings is fifty Active

Members.

Motions

Business is resolved at meetings by voting on propositions put forward by members. Such propositions are

called motions. Any person who is eligible to vote at a meeting may make a motion. Depending on the type of

motion, another member is usually needed to second the motion. Motions are then debated and voted upon.

No member may speak more than once to any motion (although the Speaker may choose not to enforce

this rule if s/he deems it appropriate.) A member must raise his/her hand. A speaker's list is kept

acknowledging individuals in the order in which they have raised their hands.

Amendments

A motion may be amended by a subsequent motion. If the mover and seconder of the original motion consent

to the amendment, the amendment is deemed “friendly” and it does not require a seconder and is not subject

to debate. If an amendment is not deemed friendly, it does require a seconder. Such a motion must then be

debated and voted upon before the debate resumes on the original motion.

Motions which take Precedence

Normally, a motion cannot be made while another motion is being debated. There are, however, certain types

of motions that take precedence over “normal” motions…

1. Motion to Amend (as above)

2. Motion to Table – This is a motion to defer further debate on the main motion until some future time. The

motion requires a seconder and is debatable only as to the length of time that the main motion will remain

tabled.

3. Motion to Refer – This is similar to a Motion to Table, except that instead of deferring a motion for a specific

amount of time, it is deferred until advice can be sought from another body.

4. Motion to Call the Question – This is a motion to cease debate and proceed to the vote on the main motion.

If there is an objection to the motion, the motion requires a seconder and must pass by a two-thirds vote.

The motion is not debatable.

5. Motion to Reconsider – This is a motion to re-open debate on a motion that has already been voted upon

earlier in the same meeting. This motion requires a seconder.

6. Motion to Adjourn – A motion to end the meeting. Requires a seconder and is not debatable.

Points

There are several special motions called “Points” that have priority over all other motions or discussion. Points

are considered serious enough that a speaker may be interrupted by another individual who wished to make a

Point. Points do not require a seconder.

1. Point of Order - An individual may raise on a point of order if they feel that business is proceeding

incorrectly. The speaker must either agree or disagree with the point raised. An individual may also use this

point if they do not understand the proceedings and/or wish to have a clarification made on a specific

ruling.

2. Point of Privilege – Individuals may raise Points of Privilege if it is felt that their rights as members of the

assembly have been violated. This Point can also be used if an individual is unable to participate in the

discussion due to an inability to hear the speaker, because the room is too hot or cold, or because s/he is

unclear on matters of procedure. If you do not understand what is happening, you can interrupt the

speaker and request clarification on a Point of Privilege.

3. Point of Information - This point is the most misused one in the book. This Point is used to ASK for

information that you feel is essential to your understanding of the debate. It may not be used to give

information. The member may decide not to answer the question by refusing to yield the floor. Again, it is

not in order to give someone information on a point of information.

4. Challenge to the Speaker – This Point is used when an individual disagrees with the Speaker’s ruling. The

mover must state why he or she disagrees with the ruling. The Speaker may then give the reasoning

behind the ruling. A vote is then taken to affirm the Speaker’s ruling.

Robert'S Rules Of Order For Beginners

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