Procedures

The School Site Council (SSC) is required by the Rowland Unified School District to conduct business using Robert's Rules of Order. Robert's Rules of Order are a set of procedures designed to facilitate collaboration and democratic decision-making.

Opening Meetings & Quorum

Meetings are "called to order" (started) by the Chairperson, followed by a roll call of all elected council members by the Secretary. A Quorum (meaning enough members are present for the council to do business) is present when 7 of the 12 members of council are in attendance. Upon confirmation of Quorum, the council may begin business.

Approving Agendas and Minutes

Every meeting of council typically begins with the review and approval of the agenda (list of actions to be done at the current meeting) followed by a review and approval of the minutes (notes on what happened last meeting). The council is given time to review both documents, and any member of council has the right to make a motion to amend either document, which may be passed or rejected by a majority vote. 

Conducting Business

Once the agenda and minutes have been approved, the chair will typically provide a contextual presentation to council on the matter at question in each item, yielding the floor when necessary to other presenters. Members can use the following to attempt to enact actions during business:

• To bring up a new idea/action: "Chair, I would like to make a motion to ______________" (requires someone to "second")

• To change the wording in a motion: "Chair, I would like to make a motion to amend the motion by (add/strike/insert) ______"

• You want to completely change the motion: "Chair, I would like to substitute my motion to _______ for the original motion"

• You want to talk about this in a separate meeting: "Chair, I would like to move refer (specify) to a committee (specific to which committee and the task you give them)"

• You want more time to study the idea: "Chair, I would like to move to postpone ________ to (specific time/date)"

• You want to end the discussion: "Chair, I would like to move to end debate" Requires 2/3rds approval

• You think the discussion has drifted away and want to bring it back: "Chair, I would like to call for the orders of the day." 

• You want to ask a question about business: "Chair, point of information"

• You want to ask a question about the procedure/rules: "Chair, parliamentary inquiry"

• You can't hear, you're uncomfortable, ect...: "Chair, question of privilege"

• You believe someone is breaking rules/procedures: "Chair, point of order"

• You believe the chair has made a wrong ruling: "Chair, I would like to appeal your ruling"

• You believe the chair counted the vote wrong: "Chair, I call for a division of the house" 

Public Comment/Hearings

By Californian law, the Brown Act requires all public local legislative bodies to ensure that their meetings are open to the public. The Brown Act requires such bodies to hold public comment to allow members of the public an opportunity to share their opinions regarding the business of the day. 

Public comment is restricted to 3 minutes (unless extended by vote of the council) per speaker. The council is allowed a "brief response" to questions or statements made, but may not interrupt a speaker during their time.

Adjourning Meetings

Meetings are typically adjourned by 5:00 but this is merely tradition. Adjournment requires a motion, second, and majority vote of the council to be passed and enacted. Adjournment is followed by an announcement of the next meeting scheduled.