Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Revised (RONR) As Its Parliamentary Authority-The Set of Rules It Uses To Run Its
Revised (RONR) As Its Parliamentary Authority-The Set of Rules It Uses To Run Its
Revised (RONR) As Its Parliamentary Authority-The Set of Rules It Uses To Run Its
Why Robert’s Rules? Parliamentary procedure helps meetings run smoothly and
without confusion. NFTY has adopted the current edition Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly
Revised (RONR) as its parliamentary authority—the set of rules it uses to run its
meetings.
Who is Robert, anyway? Henry Martyn Robert, retired U.S. Army brigadier general saw
issues in conducting official business. First published in 1876, Robert spent 176 pages
outlining the rules. Obviously, the rules caught on and now Robert’s Rules of Order,
Newly Revised, 10th edition contains 643 pages.
RONR should only be used to help and not hinder. Be flexible. The NFTY-SAR
Constitution states: “Robert’s Rules of Order shall influence the rules of procedure at
NFTY-SAR events, but they shall not be bound by it. Even Robert said, “The assembly
meets to transact business, not to have members exploit their knowledge of parliamentary
law.
Why this crash course? The NFTY-SAR Constitution states: “Robert’s Rules of Order
shall influence the rules of procedure at NFTY-SAR events, but they shall not be bound
by it. A NFTY-SAR rules guide shall be maintained continually containing specific
current rules of order and shall be openly distributed to all delegates.”
Who? The NFTY-SAR President will call and serve as “the chair” for all meetings. The
duties: Start and end meetings, recognize speakers, interpret motions, guide the meeting.
The PARLIAMENTARIAN is the expert on Robert’s Rules. The Parly helps the chair and
the delegates. See the Parly with any questions.
The SERGEANTS-AT-ARMS are used to pass around papers and distribute and collect
ballots. In NFTY-SAR they are also used to keep quiet.
The DELEGATES are either the president or an appointed proxy. Each TYG receives one
vote.
Quorum. The number of voting members needed to conduct business. The NFTY-SAR
Constitution requires 30%.
How does it go? The NFTY-SAR President will call for any agenda items prior to the
meeting. It is his duty to create an agenda and stick to it. Agendas are your friend. The
basic breakdown:
I. Call to Order
**Chair will call to order with a tap of the gavel.
V. Unfinished Business
**Business that was on the table at the last meeting or was scheduled to come up. Does not
happen often in NFTY-SAR.
VIII. Adjournment
**The chair can use “general consent” to end the meeting. If there is objection (or if the chair
wants to give one last chance for a motion) it needs a 2/3s vote.
Motions
Stating the motion- The chair will recognize the delegate, who will then stand
and state his motion. Be flexible. The chair will try to take motions in order.
However, delegates who have not spoken get priority. The CVP will record the
motion.
-Motions need at least two people to considered. Another delegate will raise his placard
and say, “SECOND.” There is no need to wait. THIS IS NOT A CONTEST. Seconds are
not recorded.
Debate- If the motion is debatable, the chair will open the floor. A delegate will
put his thumb up to speak pro, or his thumb down to speak con.
-The maker of the motion has first priority, then anyone who has not yet
spoken. Speakers will alternate pro/con.
-Speakers will start with two minutes each. The CVP will keep time. After speaking, if
there is still time, the speaker may yield his time to the next speaker or yield to
questions. The chair will facilitate the debate.
-If the author accepts the amendment as friendly, the amendment changes the
resolution automatically.
-If the author rejects the amendment as hostile, the delegate must then move
that the amendment be brought to the floor. The assembly can debate the
amendment and vote whether or not to amend the resolution.
Move to previous question. To end debate, delegates can call for the previous
question. “I MOVE TO THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.” The chair will states the
motion, and the assembly then votes whether or not to end debate.
-If the motion passes with 2/3s majority, the assembly will vote on the main motion.
Voting
Two main types of voting.
Majority vote- Requires more than half of the votes cast.
2/3s vote- Requires two-thirds of the votes cast.
[Easy way to calculate: Multiply the negative vote by two. This number must
be less than or equal to the affirmative votes to carry the motion.]
-The chair will say: This motion requires a majority to adopt. All those in favor,
say aye. Only the delegates in favor will speak.
-Then, the chair will say: All those opposed, say no. The delegates in opposition
will speak.
**Voice votes can be hard to determine. If the chair is unable to determine the
result, he can ask for a standing vote.
Standing. Used when 2/3s vote is needed or when a voice vote cannot be
determined.
-The chair will say: This motion requires a 2/3s vote to adopt. All those in favor
will stand. Only the delegates in favor will stand.
-Then the chair will say: All those in opposed will stand. Only the delegates in
favor will stand.
**If the chair cannot determine the result, he can ask for a counted standing vote.
Secret Ballot. All elections use a secret ballot vote. Additionally, if a delegate
feels a motion is controversial, he can call for a vote by secret ballot.
General consent. When the chair feels a motion will pass without dissent, he can
use general consent. THIS METHOD IS EASIEST AND WILL BE USED AS
MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
**The Chair cannot make motions but can help guide the meeting by “suggesting”
motions. [ex. “limit debate,” “adjourn the meeting”] It goes something like this:
Vote by secret Keeps specific results secret “I move that we vote by secret ballot”
ballot
Personal Privilege Can’t hear, water, bathroom, “Point of personal privilege”
need something, etc. [If emergency or can’t hear, just
interrupt]
Point of privilege: A point if personal privilege is used when someone needs something
relating to personal comfort. An issue of personal privilege could pertain to the
temperature, noise levels in the room, personal comfort, etc.
Point of order: A point of order is used if the chair violates the rules of order and must
be called immediately after the chair has done so.
Point of parliamentary inquiry: This point is used when there is a question about
procedure during the meeting.
Motion to HUH?!
Motion to table: This is a motion raised when there is an issue on the agenda that you
would like to discuss at a separate time. You must call “motion to table the resolution
until _______.”
Motion to previous question: This motion is raised during debate when you would like
the take a vote. After a motion to previous question has been made, a vote must be taken
on whether to go into voting.
Motion to caucus: This motion allows you to have a certain amount of time to discuss
the issue at hand with the voting delegates in your youth group.