|
If the motion to reconsider passes, then
<br />the original matter is back before the
<br />body, and a new original motion is in
<br />order. The matter may be discussed and
<br />debated as if it were on the floor for the
<br />first time.
<br />The rules of order are meant to create
<br />an atmosphere where the members of
<br />the body and the members of the public
<br />can attend to business efficiently, fairly
<br />and with full participation. And at the
<br />same time, it is up to the chair and the
<br />members of the body to maintain com-
<br />mon courtesy and decorum. Unless the
<br />setting is very informal, it is always best
<br />for only one person at a time to have
<br />the floor, and it is always best for every
<br />Rose bergs Rules of Order.• Simple Parliamentary Procedurefor the 21st Century
<br />V e
<br />ear
<br />t I S "I'lls"t,ia to "11 C""I "bef bre tli bov,-
<br />�pr101��, to agei,�i(,Illa
<br />9 1116,�
<br />to"llie"[P evei,fywie f *0 C 1,1, S 10
<br />lee relate to anything that would inter-
<br />fere with the normal comfort of the
<br />meeting. For example, the room may
<br />be too hot or too cold, or a blowing
<br />fan might interfere with a person's
<br />ability to hear.
<br />Order. The proper interruption would
<br />be: "Point of order." Again, the chair
<br />would ask the interrupter to "state your
<br />point." Appropriate points of order
<br />1 10
<br />\4otioi,]s to w1lei��i(,',J w](111-1 s"t,,i,"1)Stit�t,,.Ae ],�Iiotioi,]s ai,fe
<br />oftei,l�i coi,1ift,,.1,S e B "t 11 e
<br />so Is t"Im"I", effect, if
<br />1 S
<br />speaker to be first recognized by the
<br />chair before proceeding to speak.
<br />The chair should always ensure that
<br />debate and discussion of an agenda item
<br />focus on the item and the policy in ques-
<br />tion, not on the personalities of the
<br />members of the body. Debate on policy
<br />is healthy; debate on personalities is not.
<br />The chair has the right to cut off discus-
<br />sion that is too Personal, too loud or
<br />too crude.
<br />Debate and discussion should be fo-
<br />cused, but free and open. In the interest
<br />of time, the chair may, however,, limit
<br />the time allotted to speakers, including
<br />members of the body. Can a member of
<br />the body interrupt the speaker? The
<br />general rule is no. There are,, however,,
<br />exceptions. A speaker may be interrupt-
<br />ed for the following reasons:
<br />Privilege. The proper interruption
<br />would be: "Point of privilege." The chair
<br />would then ask the interrupter to "state
<br />your point." Appropriate points of privi-
<br />relate to anything that would not be
<br />considered appropriate conduct of the
<br />meeting; for example, if the chair moved
<br />on to a vote on a motion that permits
<br />debate without allowing that discussion
<br />or debate.
<br />Appeal. If the chair makes a ruling that
<br />a member of the body disagrees with,
<br />that member may appeal the ruling of
<br />the chair. If the motion is seconded and
<br />after debate, if it passes by a simple
<br />majority vote, then the ruling of the
<br />chair is deemed reversed.
<br />Call for orders of' the day. This is sim-
<br />ply another way of saying, "Let's return
<br />to the agenda." If a member believes that
<br />the body has drifted from the agreed-
<br />upon agenda, such a call may be made.
<br />It does not require a vote, and when the
<br />chair discovers that the agenda has not
<br />been followed, the chair simply reminds
<br />the body to return to the agenda item
<br />properly before them. If the chair fails
<br />to do so, the chair's determination may
<br />be appealed.
<br />Withdraw a motion. During debate
<br />and discussion of a motion, the maker
<br />of the motion on the floor, at any time,
<br />may interrupt a speaker to withdraw
<br />his or her motion from the floor. The
<br />motion is immediately deemed with-
<br />drawn, although the chair may ask the
<br />person who seconded the motion if
<br />he or she wishes to make the motion,
<br />and any other member may make the
<br />motion if properly recognized.
<br />Special N�ot,es About, Public Input,
<br />The rules outlined here help make meet-
<br />ings very public-friendly. But in addi-
<br />tion, and particularly for the chair, it is
<br />wise to remember three special rules that
<br />apply to each agenda item:
<br />Rule One-. Tell the public what the body
<br />will be doing.
<br />Rule Two-. Keep the public informed
<br />while the body is doing it.
<br />Rule Three- When the body has acted,
<br />tell the public what the body did.
<br />Public input is essential to a healthy
<br />democracy, and community participa-
<br />tion in public meetings is an important
<br />element of that input. The challenge for
<br />anyone chairing a public meeting is to
<br />accommodate public input in a timely
<br />and time-sensitive way, while maintain-
<br />ing steady progress through the agenda
<br />items. The rules presented here for con-
<br />ducting a meeting are offered as tools for
<br />effective leadership and as a means of
<br />developing sound public policy. 0
<br />*t*
<br />www.cad ies.org
<br />
|