Education Pamphlet Page 9

Roberts rule of order

Role of meeting chair (in our case the President)

1. Calling the meeting to order on time
2. Announcing the business in the order noted on the agenda 
3. Determining the presence of a quorum
4. Recognizing members who want to speak 
5. Processing all motions
6. Expediting business
7. Ruling on points of order
8. Conducting the meeting in a fair and equitable manner

Making a motion is a six-step process 

1. Member makes a motion 
2. Another member seconds the motion
3. The chair states the motion, formally putting it before the group
4. The members discuss the motion
5. The chair puts the question to vote 
6. The chair announces the results of the vote

Debates and Decorum 

• After a motion is made, the floor is open for debate
• The person making the motion has the right to speak first
• Each speaker needs to be recognized by the meeting chair
• Ideally, speakers alternate between those in favor and those opposed
• Each speaker is given a time limit to present their arguments
• A longer time can be given if approved by a two-thirds vote
• A person who hasn’t spoken yet gets precedence over people who have
• No speaker can speak more than two times
• Maker of the motion calls for closure of the debate after everyone who wishes to speak has been heard. 
• A two-thirds vote is required to end a debate

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