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If the motion to reconsider passes, then �he original macrer is back before the body, and a new original motion is in order. The ma�ter may be discussed and deba�ed as if ic were on the floor %r the &rst �ime. Courtesy and Decorum 7"he eules of order are meant ro create an a�mosphere where che members of the body and �he members of the public can at�end to business efficientl}�> faidy and with fu!] parcicipation. And at the same rime, it is up to the chair and the members of the body to maintain com- mon courtesy and decorum. Unless the setting is very informal, it is ahvays best for only one person at a time to have ihe floor, and ir is al�vays besc far every Rosenberg's Rules of Order: Simple Parlfamentary I'rocedure for the 21 st Century It is usually best to have a motion before the gov- ern�ng body prior to di to help everyone focus. scussing an agenda item, lege relare to anyti�ing tha� would inter- fere �virh the normal comfort of the meeting. For exan�ple, the roorri may be too hot or too cold, or a blativi�g fan might interfere with a person's ability ta hear. Order. The proper inrerruption would be: "Point af order." Again, �he chair would ask the interrupter to "state your point." Appropriate points of order Motions to amend and substitute motions are often confused. But they are c�uite different, and sa is their effect, if passed. speaker to be first recognized by the chair before proceeding to speak. The chair should always ensure that debate and discussion of an agenda item Eocus on the item and the policy in ques- tion, nor on the personalities af the members of the body. Debate on policy is healrhy; debate on personalities is not. The chair has the right to cut off discus- sion thar is rao personal, roo loud or too crude. Debate and discussion should be fo- cused, but free and open, in ihe imerest of time, the chair may, however, limir the time allotted to speakers, including members of t6e body. Can a member of the body interrupt the speaker? The general rule is no. There are, however, exceprions. A speaker may be inierrupr- ed for che following reasons: Privilege. The proper interruption wouCd be: "Point of privilege." The chair would then ask the interrupter to "state yaur point." Appropriate paints of privi- relate to anyrhing that would not be considered appropriate conducc of the meeting; for example, if the chair movei� on to a vote on a motion that permits debate �vith6ut aElowing that discussion or debace. Appeal. If che chair makes a rulin.g that a men�ber of the body disagrees with, that membe�r may appeal the ruling af t6e chair. If che m.otion is seconded and aEter debate, if it passes by a simple majority vate, then the ruling of the chair is deemed reversed. Call for or�ers of the day. This is sim- ply another way of saying, "Let's rerurn to the agenda." If a member believes fhat the body has drifced from the agreed- upan agenda, such a call may be made. Jt does not require a vote, and when ihe chair discovers tE�at the agenda has not been followed, the chair simply reminds the body to retum ta the agenda icem praperlq be€ore th.em. If che chair fails �o do so, the chair's determinatian map be appealed. Withdraw a motion. �uring debare and discussion of a motion, the maker of the moiion on the Aoor, at any time, may inrerrupt a speaker to withdraw his or her motion from ehe floor. The morion is immediately deemed �vith- drawn, although che chair may ask rlie person who seconded the mocion if he or she wishes to make the motion, and anp other member may make the n�otion if properly recognized. Special Notes About Pubtic Input T6e rules ouclined here help make meer- ings very publie-friendly. $ut in addi- tion, and particularly for the chair, it is �vise to remember three special rules that apply to each agenda irem: Rule One: Tell �he public what ihe body will be doing. Rule Two: Keep che public informed while the body is doing it. Rule Three: When the body has acted, tell the public �vhat the body did. Pub[ic input is essential to a ltealchy democracy, and communit}� participa- tion in pubfic rneetings is an importanr eleme�t af tihat input. The challenge for anyone ckiairing a public meeting is to accoinmodate public iizput in a timely and time-sensitive wa}; ��hile maintain- ing steaay progress through �he agenda items. The rules presenced here for con- ducring a meeting are offered as cools fw effec�ive [eadership and as a means of developing sound public policy. � www.cacities.orq �