Robert's Rules of Order

Robert's Rules of Order. It is the most widely used manual of parliamentary procedure for deliberative assemblies in the United States and many other English-speaking nations. The system provides a structured framework for conducting meetings, ensuring fairness, order, and the protection of minority rights through a codified set of rules. Its primary aim is to facilitate the efficient transaction of business while allowing for full and free debate on all questions brought before an assembly.

History and development

The manual was authored by Henry Martyn Robert, a United States Army officer, who was inspired by the chaotic proceedings of a church meeting in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Drawing upon the procedures used in the United States House of Representatives and the works of earlier parliamentary authorities like Thomas Jefferson's A Manual of Parliamentary Practice, Robert published the first edition in 1876 through S. C. Griggs & Company in Chicago. Subsequent editions were revised by Robert and, following his death, by his descendants and the Robert's Rules Association, with major updates including the Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised editions. The work's development was significantly influenced by its adoption by prominent organizations such as the General Federation of Women's Clubs and various fraternal organizations across North America.

Key principles and procedures

The system is founded on the principle that the assembly, as a body, makes decisions, with the chair acting as a neutral facilitator. A core tenet is that a quorum must be present to conduct business, and all members have equal rights, including the right to attend meetings, make motions, and participate in debate. Business is conducted through the formal introduction, consideration, and disposition of motions, following a standardized order of precedence. Crucial procedures include obtaining the floor before speaking, the requirement for a second to most motions, and the fundamental right of majority rule balanced by protections for the minority through specified voting thresholds.

Common motions and their handling

Motions are classified by purpose and privilege, with main motions introducing new business. Subsidiary motions, such as to amend, postpone indefinitely, or refer to a committee, affect how a main motion is handled. Privileged motions, like a call for orders of the day or a motion for recess, address urgent housekeeping matters. Incidental motions arise from other questions and include points of order, appeals, and requests for division of a question. Each motion type has specific rules for whether it is debatable, amendable, and what vote threshold—such as a simple majority or a two-thirds supermajority—is required for adoption, as detailed in the official manual.

Roles and responsibilities of officers

The presiding officer, typically titled the chair or president, is responsible for recognizing speakers, stating questions, ruling on points of order, and ensuring adherence to the rules. The vice president assumes these duties in the chair's absence. The secretary records the minutes of meetings, handles official correspondence, and maintains the organization's records. The treasurer is custodian of all funds and provides financial reports. Additional officers may include a parliamentarian to advise on procedural matters. These roles are often outlined in an organization's bylaws or constitution, with officers usually elected by the membership of bodies like the United States Congress or local school boards.

Adaptations and related parliamentary authorities

Many organizations adopt tailored versions through special rules of order or standing rules. Notable adaptations include the rules of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, which derive from Jefferson's Manual and later compilations like Deschler's Procedure. Other widely used parliamentary authorities include The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure by Alice Sturgis and Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure. In Canada, works like Bourinot's Rules of Order are prevalent, while in Britain, procedures are guided by Erskine May's Treatise on the Law, Privileges, Proceedings and Usage of Parliament. The American Institute of Parliamentarians and the National Association of Parliamentarians provide certification and training on these various systems.

Category:Parliamentary procedure Category:American non-fiction literature