Robert’s Rules for Committees and Small Boards
Paul McClintock, PRP, CP-T
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) 11th edition, like the 10th edition, has less formal rules for board meetings with about a dozen or fewer members present ("small boards"). But there are some changes to these rules. One of the biggest changes is that under the 10th edition, these rules applied only to small boards and small committees, but under the 11th edition they apply to all standing and special committees regardless of size. (See RONR 10th ed., p. 9, ll. 19-24 and RONR 11th ed., p. 9, ll. 28-33; p. 500, ll. 9-13.)
The 10th edition said a member was not required to obtain the floor, but under the 11th edition, a member must obtain the floor but may do so by raising the hand instead of by rising. Both editions allow making motions and speaking while seated. Neither edition requires a motion to be seconded. (See RONR 10th ed., p. 470, ll. 24-27 and RONR 11th ed., p. 487, ll. 33-35, p. 488, l. 1.)
Whereas both editions allow a member to speak an unlimited number of times in debate, the 11th edition clarifies that for debatable appeals the standard limits still apply (one time for each member and twice for the chair). (See RONR 11th ed., p. 488, ll. 2-6.)
Also, the 11th edition now permits the motions to close or limit debate in board meetings, but not in committees. Even though a committee can’t close debate, it can limit a member abusing the unlimited number of speeches rule to obstruct committee business by reporting the behavior to the parent assembly for remedy, or if there is no opportunity for this to happen in time for the committee to complete its work, the committee chairman can deny the abusive member any further recognition to speak in debate on the pending motion. (See RONR 10th ed., p. 470, ll. 28-30; p. 483, ll. 21-22 and RONR 11th ed., p. 488, fn *; p. 500, ll. 20-21.)
Both editions allow for informal discussion with no motion formally pending, and to vote on a proposal without it being formally made as a motion if perfectly clear to all present. Voting by hand is explicitly allowed in both editions. And the chairman can remain seated when putting questions to a vote. (See RONR 11th ed., p. 488, ll. 7-17.)
The 11th edition clarifies that the chair can make, debate and vote on motions and removes the ability of custom to trump this rule. (See RONR 10th ed., p. 471, ll. 7-11; p. 483, ll. 16-19 and RONR 11th ed., p. 488, ll. 18-20, fn **.)
The 11th edition allows a board to protect itself against disorderly behavior during meetings following standard disciplinary procedures, with the maximum penalty of removing the offender from the remainder of the meeting. (See RONR 11th ed., p. 486, ll. 19-25.)
A committee in a similar situation can report the problem to the parent body for remedy, but if there will be no opportunity for this to happen in time for the committee to complete its work, the committee can follow the same disciplinary procedures with the same maximum penalty. (See RONR 11th ed., p. 501, ll. 14-26.)
In addition to these "small board rules," committees have variations from the general rules in the cases of Rescind/Amend Something Previously Adopted, and for Reconsider, which didn’t change from the 10th to the 11th edition.
Amend Something Previously Adopted (including Rescind, which is simply amending by striking out the entire item previously adopted) is adopted for most types of motions in regular assemblies by (a) a two-thirds vote, (b) a majority vote with previous notice, or (c) a vote of a majority of the entire membership. "In a committee, these motions require a two-thirds vote unless all committee members who [originally] voted for the motion [now proposed] to be rescinded or amended are present or have received ample notice, in which case they require a majority vote" (RONR 11th ed., p. 306, l. 34 f).
Reconsider generally can only be moved by a member who voted with the prevailing side, but in "standing and special committees, the motion to Reconsider can be made by any member who did not vote on the losing side – including one who did not vote at all." (See RONR 11th ed., p. 315, ll. 31-34.)
Also, the making of the motion to Reconsider is normally subject to time limits, but the "time limitations do not apply to standing or special committees" (RONR 11th ed., p. 316, ll. 22-31).
Like standing and special committees, a Committee of the Whole or a Quasi Committee of the Whole, in both editions, have their own separate rules, which also allow a member to speak an unlimited number of times in debate, but in general, the small board rules do not apply. (See RONR 11th ed., p. 529, l. 36 ff.)
Unlike small boards, a small assembly of an organization’s membership still follows the standard rules, but the 11th edition points out that small organizations can adopt some or all of these "small board rules" for their meetings. (See RONR 11th ed., p. 16, ll. 12-16.)
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Paul McClintock has served NAP as District 7 Director, on the Educational Resources Committee, and is now serving on the Webinar Committee. He lives near Seattle, Washington.