Four Simple Rules of Parliamentary Procedure
By A. Gregory Wonderwheel, M.A., J.D.
Many people are intimidated by the words "parliamentary procedure" and by Robert's Rules of Order, both by the book's imposing number of pages and its complex cross referenced rules. Human beings are very complex too, but that doesn't prevent them from being our friends. Similarly, parliamentary rules should be the member's friend, and all the complexity of the rules should be made friendly by an understanding of their common sense relationships to each other.
The purpose of parliamentary rules of order are to help people make group
decisions after a full, fair, and free discussion. All the rules of
parliamentary procedure may be traced to four fundamental principles of common
sense, which I liken to the four legs holding up of the parliamentary table. If
the member of the board, committee, or assembly holds these four basic rules in
mind, all the other rules will fall into place and easily be put into
perspective.
1. One Speaker Speaks at a Time
2. One Question Is Decided at a Time.
3. The Speaker Must Be Respectful.
4. Everyone's Rights Are Protected by Balancing Them with Each Other.
~~
1. One Speaker Speaks at a Time. The rules of order about
who may get the floor to speak and when a speaker may be
interrupted all derive from the simple rule that if any of the members are to
be heard then only one member should speak at a time. If someone is speaking
then others should be quiet. If another feels it is important enough to
interrupt, hopefully that person will know the rule that allows him or her to
interrupt. But if the person feels the need to interrupt is important and
doesn't know the rule, then the member may always make a parliamentary
inquiry to ask the chair if there is a rule that allows for interruption for
that purpose. It is the chair's duty to assist members with understanding the
rules and finding the appropriate rule to assist the member's participation.
2. One Question Is Decided at a Time. A question is a motion.
People need to know what issue is being discussed and when and how it will be
decided. All the rules about considering motions and their rank in order are
made to avoid confusion about which question the group is discussing and
deciding. The basic rule is that only one question is considered at a time in
the order of being raised. If one question is being debated but another
question develops that would have an important impact on the first question,
then the rules provide a way for the subsidiary question to be decided
before the main question. Also when important questions arise that are
not about the main question but must be asked and answered before the group can
continue, these privileged or incidental questions may be
considered while the main or subsidiary question is pending. By making a
parliamentary inquiry any member may ask the chair if their question has any
precedence over the immediately pending question. When one question has
precedence all other pending questions are stacked to be decided in order.
3. The Speaker Must Be Respectful. The rules of order are
fundamentally about respecting each member of a group so that the group can get
decisions made in as quick and as fair a manner as possible, considering the
size of the group and the urgency of the question. Decorum is a significant
factor in helping questions be decided expeditiously, ethically, and
impartially. The rules of decorum embody the principle that each member of a
group has an equal right to attempt to persuade the other members that his or
her view of a question is correct or best for the group. A member's attempt to
persuade the group is debate. Fair debate requires each member so show
respect for the other members. Disrespectful debate takes unfair advantage of
the right to persuade. Name calling, personalizing, shouting down, or other
types of disrespect are not appropriate means of persuasion. The chair has the
duty to call to order any member who is disrespectful. Also any member may
raise a point of order to call to order another member who breaches
decorum. The chair should direct the offending member to proper conduct. If a
member continues to be disorderly after correction, the chair or any member may
ask the group to discipline the member, including asking for an apology or
ejecting the member for the remainder of the meeting. Since the conduct
occurred in the meeting there is no need for a formal disciplinary trial. But
if a member continues to act disrespectfully and that conduct reflects badly on
the group or interferes with the group's ability to conduct business, then the
ultimate discipline of being expelled from membership in the organization may
be decided after a trial according to the bylaws or the rules of parliamentary
procedure adopted by the organization.
4. Everyone's Rights Are Protected by Balancing Them with Each
Other. The whole design of the rules of parliamentary procedure is
created to balance the rights of the members. The interests balanced by the
rules are those 1) of the majority, 2) of the minority, 3) of the individual
member, 4) of the absentee members, and 5) of all together. For example, the
simple majority vote for most main questions protects the majority's right to
get business done. A two-thirds majority vote protects the rights of a minority
larger than one-third when certain significant questions are considered. The
rules requiring or not requiring a second protect the rights of the individual
or the minority to consider or prevent consideration of certain questions. The
rules of quorum and notice protect the absentee members. By having the common
sense understanding of whose rights are being protected by any particular rule,
both the member and the group will appreciate the rule and how the rule
operates within the greater scheme of applying the rules to particular circumstances.
Knowing that the rules are balanced to protect everyone's rights, not just the
majority or just a minority, helps members appreciate why the rules are
elaborate.
~~
All the rules of parliamentary procedure relate directly to one or more of
these four simple rules. If these four primary rules are held in mind when
conducting meetings, the members should be able to have their say while the
questions needing to be decided are decided in the most fair and efficient
manner possible. Even if a member isn't familiar with all the rules of
procedure, these four rules will provide enough of a basis to know by common
sense whether the rules of parliamentary procedure generally are being followed
or not. If a member thinks that one of these four rules is being violated, or
not appropriately applied, that is a warning sign. It is always in order for
the member to ask the chair if the member is correct. Then the chair should
assist the member in clarifying the point or question and, if necessary, assist
the member in formulating the proper particular motion to make the point or
question appropriate to consider.
Contact: Gregory Wonderwheel,
50 Santa Rosa Avenue, Suite 303
Santa Rosa, California 95404
Tel: (707) 578-2181 Fax: (707) 578-2184
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