The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and
regional officers.
May 2001
Issue
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Journey Survey!
Surviving
Meeting Pitfalls with Parliamentary Procedure
Was your last meeting total chaos? Were people speaking out of turn, throwing paper airplanes and planning their escape? If so, then it's time to introduce your chapter members to Robert's Rules of Order - a surefire way to replace the anarchy with order (and actually end the meeting on time!)
Robert's Rules of Order sets up specific guidelines for the easy and orderly conduct of meetings. It allows everyone in attendance to be heard which aids members in decision-making. In short, this time-tested method of conducting business is a way to ensure democratic rule, protection of rights, flexibility and a fair hearing for everyone.
Robert's General Rules:
- All members have equal rights, privileges and obligations.
- Only one person should speak at a time; this speaker must first be recognized by the chair.
- If you are given the right to speak by the chair, stand and identify yourself. (At a regional meeting, for example, you would say your name, chapter, college and state.)
- No member can speak twice on the same issue until everyone else wishing to speak has spoken on it once.
- Remarks must be courteous in language and manner.
- Personal comments should not be made.
- Silence means consent.
- All remarks must be directed to the chair.
Below is a sample of a simple agenda. This agenda can be found in many Phi Theta Kappa chapters' bylaws and can be a good starting point for planning your next meeting.
- Call to order
- Roll Call
- Reading of the minutes
- Treasurer's report
- Committee reports
- Old business
- New business
- Announcements
- Adjournment
For more information and to order a copy of Robert's Rules of Order, visit www.robertsrules.com.
--> Continue to "The Do's and Don'ts of Parliamentary Procedure"
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