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Referencing the content of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised with contrasts noted in the minority report

Meeting Mechanics · Chapter 1

Why rules of order exist

Learn - foundations

Why this chapter matters

A grounded look at fairness, order, speed, quorum, and minority protection before you move a motion on the floor.

Chapter outline

  1. Why a meeting uses procedure
  2. Basic meeting setup

Vocabulary (6)

deliberative assembly
A group that meets to decide matters together under an accepted set of rules.
majority rule
The normal decision rule after fair debate and voting.
minority rights
Protections that let members be heard and use the rules before the vote is taken.
quorum
The minimum number of members who must be present for valid business.
order of business
The agreed sequence in which meeting business is taken up.
parliamentary authority
The rulebook or governing source relied on when procedure is in doubt.

Sequence practice (2 puzzles on Parliamentor)

Why a meeting uses procedure

Practice the flow until you can explain it without the screen.

  1. Members bring business to the assembly
  2. The assembly uses agreed rules to debate fairly
  3. Members vote after debate and amendment opportunities
  4. The decision is announced and recorded
Basic meeting setup

Practice the flow until you can explain it without the screen.

  1. Confirm quorum
  2. Adopt or follow the agenda
  3. Take business in order
  4. Record what the assembly decided

Quick fire sample (6 of 6 on Parliamentor)

Which term best matches this definition: A group that meets to decide matters together under an accepted set of rules.
  1. deliberative assembly
  2. majority rule
  3. minority rights
  4. quorum
Which term best matches this definition: The normal decision rule after fair debate and voting.
  1. deliberative assembly
  2. minority rights
  3. quorum
  4. majority rule
Which term best matches this definition: Protections that let members be heard and use the rules before the vote is taken.
  1. majority rule
  2. quorum
  3. minority rights
  4. deliberative assembly
Which term best matches this definition: The minimum number of members who must be present for valid business.
  1. minority rights
  2. quorum
  3. deliberative assembly
  4. majority rule
Which term best matches this definition: The agreed sequence in which meeting business is taken up.
  1. order of business
  2. deliberative assembly
  3. majority rule
  4. minority rights
Which term best matches this definition: The rulebook or governing source relied on when procedure is in doubt.
  1. deliberative assembly
  2. majority rule
  3. minority rights
  4. parliamentary authority

Some topics in this course differ across field references. See when sources disagree on Parliamentor before you teach from this sheet alone.

Full scored drills are on Parliamentor at /courses/meeting-mechanics/chapters/01/print/. Answers are not marked on this sheet.