Page 227 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

210 Chapter 8

use Robert’s rules for committees (see Table 8.5). But what many people do not know
is that these rules for committees are much less formal and detailed than the parlia-
mentary rules you may have encountered. These rules make it unnecessary (and unde-
sirable) for members to utter “question,” “point of order,” or “we can’t discuss this
topic because it hasn’t been moved and seconded.” Robert’s Rules suggests using
parliamentary procedure in groups with over a dozen or so members, but we believe
that groups as large as 30 can operate less formally. In Maureen’s committee of 27,
members raised their hands when they wanted to speak and voted when a particular
decision needed to be recorded, but they did not use motions, questions, points of
order, and so forth, during their meetings. Discussions in this group were less formal
than Robert’s Rules calls for but more formal than the free-flowing discussion of most
truly small groups.

TABLE 8.5
A brief summary Administrative Matters
of Robert’s Rules • The committee chair can be appointed or elected or is the first person named on
of Order for the list of members.
committees • The chair or any two committee members can call a meeting.
• A quorum (the number needed to do official business) is a simple majority of
members.
• If a committee cannot reach consensus, the minority can make a report to the
parent organization that differs from the majority report.
Chair’s Responsibilities
• The chair is responsible for the committee’s records but can delegate that duty.
• The chair can take stands on issues and vote.
Discussing, Making Motions, and Voting
• Members can speak without being “recognized” by the chair, as long as they
don’t interrupt others.
• Members can discuss anything without having to make a motion.
• Motions, if made, do not need a second.
• Members can speak as often as they want; motions to limit discussion are not
allowed.
• Informal discussion without a motion is appropriate; members may want to make
a motion for an official vote when a consensus or majority decision seems to be
emerging, but motions aren’t required to record a vote.
• “Straw” (nonbonding) votes can be taken at any time.
• The chair can ask if members consent or agree, and if no one objects, the
decision is made.
• A motion to reconsider a previous vote or decision can be made at any time by
any member, even one who voted with the losing side or was absent during the
original vote.
• Motions can be amended informally, using consensus rather than voting.

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