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�osenber 's Rules o �rdere � S im le I' arliamenta p �"Y Pro�edures for the 21st he rules of procedure at meetings = should be simple enough for mosc people ro understand. Unforrunately, chat hasn't always been the case. Vircu- ally all dubs, associations, boards, coun- cils and bodies follow a ser of rules, Robert's Rules of Order, whicki are em- bodied in a small but complex baok. Vir�ually no one 1 know has actually read this book co��er to cover. Worse yet, the book was wrircen for another time and purpose. If you are running the British Parliament, Roberts Rzrles of Order is a dandy and quite use- ful iiandbook. On �he ocher hand, if you're running a meeting of a five- member body wieh a few members of che public in arrendance, a simplified version of tlie rules oFparliamentary procedure is in order. Hence, the birth of "Rosenberg's Rules of Order.° This pubfication covers the rules of parliamentar�� procedure based on my 20 years ofexperience chairing meecings in stare and local govemment. These rules have been simpli6ed and slimmed c{own for 21st century meetin�s, yet they retain the basic tenets of order to cvhich we are acc�sromed. framework for the orderly conduct af ineerings. 2. Rules shou[d be clear. Simple rules lead to wider anderscanding and participa�ion. Complex rules create r�vo dasses: those who underscand and participate and those who do not fully understand and do nor fitlly participate. 3. Rules shonl� be nser-friendly That is, che r�les musr be simple enough chat citizens feel they have been able �o participare in the process. Rules should enforce the wiIl af the majority while protecting the rights of the minority. The ul[imace purpose oithe rules of procedure is to encoivage discussion and to facili- tate decision-making by �he body. In a democrary, the majoriry rules. The ruEes must eiiable the majoriry to express itself and fashion a result, �vhile permi�ting e6e minority to also express itself (but not dominate} and Fully participare in �he process. The Chairperson Should iake a Back Seat During Discussions "Rosenberg's Rules of Order" are sup- While all men�bers of the governing ported by the foElowing four principles: body shoufd knaw and undersiand the rules of parliamentary procedure, it is 1. Rules should establish order. The the chairperson (chair) who is charged firsc purpose of the rules of parlia- wich apply�ing the rules of conduct. mentar}� procedure is to establish a The chair should be Yvell versed in those There are exceptions to the general rule of free and open debate on motions. The exceptions all apply when there is a desire to move on. C e n-tu � by Dave Rosenberg rules, because �he chair, for all inrents and purposes, makes the 6na[ ruling on the rules. In facr, al[ decisio��s by che chair are final unless overruled by the �overning body itself. Because the chair conduas the meeting, it is comnion courtesy for the ckiair to take a less active role than orher mem- bers of the body in debaces a�id disnis- sions. This does not mean tliar tlie chair should not parciciPate in the debate or discussion. On �he contrary�, as a mem- ber of the body, che chair has full righ�s to parcicipaie in debates, discussions and decision-making. The chair should, hawever, strive to be the lasc co speak at the discussion and deba�e stage, and should iiot make or second a motian unless he or she is convinced that no other member of tlie body �vil[ da so. 7he Basic Format for an Agenda Item Discussion Formal meetings normally have a�vritten, published ageiida; informal meetings may have onl}' an oral or underscood agenda. ln either case, the mee�ing is governed b}' the agenda and rhe agenda canstitutes the body's agreed-upoii road n�ap for the meeting. And each agenda item can be handled by the chair in the following basic format. First, the chair should clearly announce the agenda item number and should clearEy state �vhat the sitbject is. The chair shoald then announce the formai rhat will be follo�ved. Second, fol[owing chat agenda Forma�, che chair should invite che apprapriate people ia report on che item, including any recommendation they mighc have. The appropriate person may be the chair, a member of tf�e governing body, www.cacities.org