Bob’s Rules of Order Newly Revised

Residence Hall Association – September 10, 2012

Purpose of Robert’s Rules

•Help in the efficiency of the transaction of business of the assembly

•Promote rights of individuals•Achieve a decision that is

agreeable to all persons involved in the assembly

Rights and Rules•Only one matter can be considered at a

time•Will of the majority is carried out, but the

rights of the minority are protected•Equal rights of all members•Business and discussion follows good

rules of courtesy

How Motions are Handled •Raise your hand•Wait to be recognized by the Chair•Make the motion•Someone else must second the motion•Chair restates the motion and calls for

discussion•After discussion is complete, Chair calls for

question•Chair restates motion•Vote on motion

▫Show of hands•Chair states the decision

Tabling a Motion

• “I move to table the motion”• Set current motion aside for another time• Used if more time is needed to think about

an issue• “I move to bring _______ from the table.”• Used when ready to bring the issue back

before the body• Not in order when something else is on the

floor.

Motions Dealing with Proceedings • I move to extend debate/question and

answer• Used when time has expired and more time

is wanted/needed• I move to end debate/question and answer• Used when it appears the body is ready to

move forward with proceedings• I move previous question• Also heard as “Call to question”• Ends debate and moves directly into a vote

on the motion.

Amendments• Modify wording of pending motion• Must be relevant and directly bearing on

the motion• Three Basic Processes of Amendments• Insert or add words• Strike out words• Combination of strike out and insert

• Two type of Amendments• Primary-amendment to main motion• Secondary-amendment to the amendment

Amendments – it’s like a cake• Motion to create a cake• Amend to change the flavor• Vote to change flavor of cake• Amend to add frosting• Amend to change flavor• Vote to change flavor of frosting• Amend to add sprinkles• Vote on adding sprinkles to frosting

• Vote on adding frosting with sprinkles• Vote on whole cake with frosting and

sprinkles

Other Types of Motions

• Point of Order• Enforce rules• Point of parliamentary inquiry• Used to understand the proper procedure,

or to learn how to do something • Point of Information• Used to gather more information on a topic• Point of Personal Privilege• Used to voice personal concerns, i.e. the

room is too hot, please speak up, let’s jazzercise

Lets Review• Move to Introduce Proposal• -Second the Proposal

1. Ask Questions of the Author2. Discussion

1. Limit/extend Discussion as necessary2. Amend the Proposal as you see fit (Majority Vote)

a. Amendmenti. Ask questions (to the author of the amendment)ii. Discussion (only on the amendment)iii. Call to question (the amendment)

3. Discussion (original proposal with/out amendment)4. Call to question

-Vote on whether you should vote5. Vote!

Questions?