Robert's Rules
SURVIVAL
TIPS
on Parliamentary
Procedure

According to
Robert's
RULES OF
ORDER

California State Association of Parliamentarians

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Survival Tips on
Robert's Rules of Order

Some General Exceptions

For the sake of expediency, the chair can always say "If there is no objection ...", and then declares what action the chair is going to take in the name of the assembly! If no one objects, the 6 steps are skipped and the motion has been adopted in 5 words. If someone objects, the chair follows the 6 steps, cheerfully.

On the other hand, not all motions require the 6 steps. Your power comes in knowing which motions do and which motions do not require the 6 steps, especially when the chair cannot get away with "If there is no objection ...".

STEP 1. State the Motion:
Some motions are so important that the maker can interrupt the speaker and not even wait to be recognized by the chair! - Question of Privilege, Orders of the Day, Point of Order, Appeal, Parliamentary Inquiry, Point of Information, Division.

STEP 2. Second the Motion:
Some motions do not require a second - Generally, if Robert's Rules of Order allow you to interrupt a speaker, you do not need a second (except Appeal).

STEP 3. Chair Restates the Motion:
The presiding officer may help a verbose person rephrase the motion.

STEP 4. Discuss the Motion:
Some motions may not be debated because the debate would defeat the purpose of the motion - Recess, Orders of the Day, Lay on the Table, Limit or Close Debate, Division of the Assembly, Division of the Question.

STEP 5. Vote on the Motion:
Some motions are made and passed without voting - Question of Privilege, Orders of the Day, Point of Order, Division.

STEP 6. Announce Result of Vote:
No exceptions here. The result of the voting must always be announced.

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