Robert’s RulesRobert’s Rules of Order
for small boards
Board Selection Process
•Submit an application, describe your skills.
Applications remain on file 2 years.
•3 year terms end on 31 December. May serve 3
terms.
•Board Member Review Committee interviews
candidates when a vacancy occurs. They try to
match candidate qualifications with Board mission
and job description
•Paperwork and training in Nov/Dec in preparation
for 1 Jan appointment
Parliamentary Procedure
•Discuss one subject at a time.
•Allow full and free discussion of each idea
presented.
•Treat all members with justice and courtesy.
•Carry out the rule of the majority, and respect
the rights of the minority.
•Bring together the wishes of all group members
to form a cooperating, united organization.
…..Purpose of Parliamentary Procedures
•Gives every member a chance to be heard.
•Allows everyone to participate.
•Establish and maintain order in a meeting.
•Prevents confusion when discussing meeting’s
agenda.
•Keeps meeting moving.
Role of Members
•Come prepared, having read minutes
and packet. Do you forsee a conflict
of interest?
•Follow parliamentary procedures
–Obtain permission to speak
•Stick to the agenda
–Agenda may be modified by consent of
the members
•Respect the view of others
•Vote based on Code, the facts, the
good of the city as a whole.
What if there is a conflict of Interest?
•Announce when the
agenda item comes up
–Ex parte
•You may participate in
discussion. But,
•You should recuse
yourself from a vote
•See City Clerk to file form
8B
•Example: You, a member
of the ESC, own a tree
nursery. You may not
vote on a motion to
purchase trees from your
business
Role of the Chair
•Moderator
•Judge
•Grant the floor to speakers
•Enforce order and decorum
•Debates last, votes last
Agendas
•Lays out order of business and items to be
considered. Set COAB format.
•Prepared days in advance. Sent to committee and
48 hour notifications made to the Public.
•For COAB boards, agendas are coordinated and
published by staff liaison.
•Minutes: “If there are no corrections,
the minutes stand approved.” Note: not
not required to move, second and vote.
Making motions
•The member
making the
motion
should be the
first to speak
•A member
may not
speak against
their own
motion.
Amending Motions
“I move we amend the motion by striking out
or inserting _________”
“Second” (If no second, the motion fails)
•The chair restates the amendment.
•Discussion on the amendment ensues.
•The chair calls for a vote ON THE AMENDMENT
ONLY. (Majority required)
•The Chair announces the result of the vote.
Return to discussion of the ORIGINAL MOTION as
amended.
When a Motion Fails
•Tie vote: motion fails
•Lack of a second: motion fails
•Motion to postpone/defer: motion dies this
session
•Lack of 2/3 vote in designated motions
2/3 Votes Required
•Most votes pass on a simple majority
•Some Robert’s Rules situations require
2/3 vote:
–Modify an adopted rule or the Agenda
–Modify the extent of debate
–Amend or rescind something already
adopted (if not noticed)
To Change the order of items on the
published agenda:
Member: “Ms. Chairman. I move we
move item seven on the agenda to
immediately after item three. (needs a
second)
Chairman: It is moved and seconded
that we move item seven to after item
three. Those in favor, please raise your
hand (or take a role call vote). Counts
votes. “The nays have it by more than
2/3 vote and the motion to move item
seven is lost.”
Must have 2/3 vote.
Vote to limit debate
Member: “I move that debate
be limited to ten more
minutes.”
Chairman: “It is moved and
seconded that debate be
limited to 10 minutes. All
those in favor, please raise
your hands.”*Counts votes.
“ The ayes have it by a 2/3
vote and the motion to limit
debate carries.” (Announce the
current time and the ending
time for the debate.)
•Situation: There is a main
motion on the floor and a
member wants to limit
debate to ten more
minutes.
•This motion must carry
by 2/3 vote.
Motion to Reconsider a Motion
•Must be requested at
the same OR NEXT
regular meeting.
•Must be moved by a
member who
previously voted FOR
the motion.
•Can only be
reconsidered once.
•2/3 majority if not
noticed, otherwise a
simple majority.
Member: “I move we reconsider the vote
to hire a firm to design a new Atlantic
Beach logo.” (seconded)
Chairman: “It is moved and seconded that
we reconsider the vote on the motion to
hire an company to design a new logo.”
Discussion ensues.
Chairman: “The vote is on the motion to
reconsider the motion to hire a design
firm.” Counts votes. Majority or 2/3
Chairman: The “ayes” have it and the
motion to reconsider is carried. You now
have before you the motion to hire a
design company to design a new logo. Is
there any discussion on this motion?”
Permitted Interruptions: “I have a question of privilege”
•Point of personal privilege
–Comfort, safety, amplification, visuals
•Point of Order
–Are correct assembly rules being followed?
•Request for Information
–From current speaker
•Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
–City Attorney and City Clerk COAB Parliamentarians
How to discontinue Consideration
Lay on the Table
a motion on the
floor
Temporary,in face of
immediate urgency
No set time to resume
Will of the majority
No debate
May be taken off the table
later
Postpone to a
Certain time
To a day, meeting, or event
Automatically added to that
agenda
Limited debate on
propriety of motion
Postpone
Indefinitely
Kills item for the session.
Must be moved again in a
different meeting