Roberts Rules of Order (from DECA thingy)

Robert's Rules of Order

A guidebook published in 1876 that provides rules for running meetings fairly and smoothly.

RONR

Stands for Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, which is the 10th edition of the book.

Local Constitution and Bylaws

The fundamental rules and basic structure of a group, which usually need a two-thirds vote to change.

Standing Rules

The normal operating procedures of a group that can be changed by a simple majority vote.

Rules of Order

The official parliamentary guidelines a group follows, unless their own rules say something different.

Precedent and Custom

Unwritten habits groups follow when there are no official written rules for a specific situation.

Quorum

The minimum number of members who must be present at a meeting to officially make decisions.

Main Motion

A proposal that introduces new business for the group to think about and vote on.

Subsidiary Motions

Motions that change or affect how a main motion is handled, and must be voted on first.

Postpone Indefinitely

A way to kill a main motion without directly voting on it, used when the group doesn't want to take a clear stance.

Amend

A proposal to change the wording of a main motion by adding, deleting, or swapping words before voting on it.

Motion to Substitute

An amendment that replaces an entire paragraph or the whole text of a motion with a new one.

Secondary Amendment

A proposed change to an amendment that is already being discussed.

Refer (Commit)

Sending a motion to a smaller committee to investigate or work out the details.

Postpone Definitely

Delaying any action on a motion until a specific future time or meeting.

Limit or Extend Debate

Changing the rules to give speakers more or less time, or setting a strict time to end the discussion.

Previous Question

A motion to immediately close discussion and force a vote right away, requiring a two-thirds vote.

Lay on the Table

Temporarily putting a motion aside because an urgent emergency has come up.

Privileged Motions

Urgent requests that don't relate to the current business but must be handled immediately without debate.

Call for the Orders of the Day

Forcing the group to stick to the planned schedule or agenda.

Raise a Question of Privilege

Asking for something related to the rights or comfort of members, like turning up the AC or fixing a microphone.

Recess

Taking a short break without officially ending the meeting.

Adjourn

A non-debatable motion to close and end the meeting immediately.

Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn

Scheduling a specific time and place to meet again before the next normal meeting.

Incidental Motions

Procedural questions that pop up because of another motion and must be solved first.

Point of Order

Interrupting to tell the leader that the official rules of the meeting are being broken.

Appeal

Challenging a decision or ruling made by the meeting's leader.

Suspend the Rules

Temporarily pausing a meeting rule, which usually requires a two-thirds vote to do.

Withdraw

The person who made a motion asks to take it back before it is voted on.

Point of Information

Asking a question to get facts or details about the current topic being discussed.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Asking a question specifically about meeting rules or procedures.

Objection to the Consideration of a Question

Immediately trying to stop an inappropriate topic from being discussed at all.

Division of a Question

Splitting a complex motion into separate parts so they can be voted on individually.

Division of the Assembly

Demanding that members stand up to be counted to verify a close vote.

Take from the Table

Bringing a temporarily paused motion back to the floor for discussion.

Reconsider

Reopening debate on a motion that was already voted on earlier in the same meeting.

Rescind

Canceling or repealing a motion that was passed at a previous meeting.

Majority vote

Winning by getting more than half of the votes cast.

Two-thirds vote

Getting at least two-thirds of the votes, usually needed when taking away a member's rights like ending a debate.

Voice vote

Voting by saying "aye" or "no" out loud.

Show of hands or rising vote

Physically raising a hand or standing up to vote, used for close calls or two-thirds votes.

Ballot

Voting secretly on paper, usually used for electing officers.

Roll call vote

Calling each person's name to record exactly how everyone voted.

Proxy voting

Having someone else cast a vote for you, which is not allowed unless the group's rules specifically permit it.

State and Federal Law

The highest level of rules governing corporations and tax-exempt organizations.

Articles of Incorporation

The legal rules that apply specifically to incorporated organizations.

Parent Organization Documents

The overarching rules that local chapters or affiliates must follow.

Silence gives consent

The principle that members who choose not to vote are agreeing to let the voters decide.

Call to Order

The official start of the meeting.

Reading and Approval of the Minutes

Reviewing and agreeing on the official record of the previous meeting.

Special Orders

Important business items designated to be discussed at a specific time.

Unfinished Business

Items that were not completed at the previous meeting (often incorrectly called "old business").

New Business

Fresh topics or motions introduced to the group for the first time.

Good of the Order

A time at the end of a meeting for general comments or informal observations.

Presiding Officer

The person running the meeting (the chair), who must remain impartial and only votes to make or break a tie.

Unanimous Consent (General Consent)

A shortcut to pass a motion without a formal vote if no one objects.

Second

An indication from a second member that they want a motion to be discussed, required before debate starts.

Ten minutes

The maximum amount of time a member is allowed to speak on a motion at one time.

Twice per motion

The maximum number of times a member can speak on a single motion.

Friendly Amendment

A concept that does not actually exist in Robert's Rules; once a motion is stated by the chair, it can only be changed by a vote or unanimous consent.

Executive Session

A closed, private meeting where proceedings are kept secret (requested via Question of Privilege)