Robert’s Rules

Basic Meeting Flow

• Call to Order
• Roll Call (if required)
• Approval of Minutes
• Reports (officers, committees, staff)
• Unfinished Business
• New Business
• Adjournment

Types of Motions

• Main Motion – Introduces new business.
• Subsidiary Motions – Change or affect how a main motion is handled. Examples:
  • Amend (change wording)
  • Commit/Refer (send to committee)
  • Postpone (to a time certain or indefinitely)
  • Lay on the Table (temporarily set aside)
  • Previous Question (close debate, force a vote)
• Privileged Motions – Urgent matters not related to current business. Examples:
  • Adjourn
  • Recess
  • Question of Privilege (comfort, rights, etc.)
  • Orders of the Day (stick to the agenda)
• Incidental Motions – Handle procedural questions. Examples:
  • Point of Order (enforce rules)
  • Appeal (challenge chair’s ruling)
  • Suspend the Rules
  • Division of the Assembly (verify a voice vote)
• Motions that Bring a Question Again – Revisit or change previous decisions. Examples:
  • Reconsider
  • Rescind
  • Take from the Table

Key Rules to Remember

• Only one motion on the floor at a time.
• Members must be recognized by the chair before speaking.
• Debate must stay on the pending motion.
• Majority vote decides most questions; some require 2/3.
• Minutes are the official record, not transcripts.

Real World Examples

• A nonprofit board uses Robert’s Rules to ensure clarity and fairness during decision-making on annual budgets.
• A community group follows these rules to manage discussions and votes on new projects.