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Parliamentary Procedure Resource

Parliamentary Procedure (Robert's Rules of Order)

Many Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) at Michigan State University use Parliamentary Procedure, often called Robert's Rules of Order, to conduct meetings. This system provides a structured and fair process for discussing ideas, making decisions, and voting on organizational business.

Parliamentary procedure helps organizations:

  • Keep meetings organized and productive
  • Ensure all members have an opportunity to participate
  • Facilitate respectful discussion and debate
  • Make decisions through a transparent voting process
  • Balance majority decision-making with minority voices

The Basic Process

Most business follows a simple sequence:

  1. A member makes a motion.
  2. Another member seconds the motion.
  3. The chair presents the motion for discussion.
  4. Members debate or propose amendments.
  5. The organization votes.
  6. The chair announces the result.

Common Terms

  • Main Motion: Introduces new business for consideration.
  • Amendment: Proposes a change to a motion.
  • Point of Order: Addresses a procedural issue.
  • Point of Information: Requests factual information related to the topic.
  • Parliamentary Inquiry: Asks a question about procedure.
  • Refer to Committee: Sends an item to a committee for further review.
  • Previous Question: Ends debate and moves to a vote.
  • Postpone: Delays consideration of an item until a later time.

Best Practices

  • Follow your organization's constitution and bylaws.
  • Recognize speakers before they address the group.
  • Focus discussion on ideas rather than individuals.
  • Encourage participation from all members.
  • Use parliamentary procedure as a tool to support, not limit, member engagement.

This overview provides a basic introduction to parliamentary procedure. Organizations seeking additional guidance should consult Robert's Rules of Order for more detailed resources. Another helpful tool is this Parliamentary Motions Guide by Jim Slaughter


 

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