Robert's Rules of Order Cheat Sheet

Want to get stuff done?

Want to STOP bad things from happening?

Trying to get the Senate to take up an item of concern?

THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT!

PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING A MAIN MOTION

NOTE: Nothing goes to discussion without a motion being on the floor.

Obtaining and Assigning the Floor

A member raises their hand when no one else has the floor.
The chair then recognizes the member by name.

How the Motion is Brought Before the Assembly

The member makes the motion: “I move that…” and resumes their seat.
Another member seconds the motion: “I second the motion,” or “I second it,” or “Second.”
The chair states the motion: “It is moved and seconded that… Are you ready for the question?”

Consideration of the Motion

Members can debate the motion.
Before speaking in debate, members obtain the floor.
The maker of the motion has the first right to the floor if they claim it properly.
Debate must be confined to the merits of the motion.
Debate can be closed only by order of the assembly (2/3 vote) or by the chair if no one seeks the floor for further debate.

The Chair Puts the Motion to a Vote

The chair asks: “Are you ready for the question?” If no one rises to claim the floor, the chair proceeds to take the vote.
The chair says: “The question is on the adoption of the motion that… As many as are in favor, say ‘Aye.’” (Pause for response.) “Those opposed, say ‘Nay.'” (Pause for response.) “Those abstained, please say ‘Aye.’”
The chair announces the result of the vote.
- “The ayes have it, the motion carries, and…” (indicating the effect of the vote), or
- “The nays have it and the motion fails.”

WHEN DEBATING YOUR MOTIONS

Listen to the other side.
Focus on issues, not personalities.
Avoid questioning motives.
Be polite.

PROPOSING A NEW IDEA OR ACTION

After recognition, make a main motion.

Member: “Madame Chairman, I move that _________.”

AMENDING A MOTION

You want to change some of the wording that is being discussed.

After recognition, “Madame Chairman, I move that the motion be amended by adding the following words: “___________.”
After recognition, “Madame Chairman, I move that the motion be amended by striking out the following words ________.”
After recognition, “Madame Chairman, I move that the motion be amended by striking out the following words, _________, and adding in their place the following words ________.”

REFER TO A COMMITTEE

You feel that an idea or proposal being discussed needs more study and investigation.

After recognition, “Madame Chairman, I move that the question be referred to [a committee made up of members Smith, Jones and Brown], or [the appropriate standing committee], or [an ad-hoc committee to be selected by the Chairman].”

POSTPONE DEFINITELY

You want the membership to have more time to consider the question under discussion and you want to postpone it to a definite time or day.

After recognition, “Madame Chairman, I move to postpone the question until ________.”

PREVIOUS QUESTION

You think discussion has gone on for too long and you want to stop discussion and vote.

After recognition, “Madam President, I move the previous question.”

LIMIT DEBATE

You think discussion is getting long, but you want to give a reasonable length of time for consideration of the question.

After recognition, “Madam President, I move to limit discussion to two minutes per speaker.”

POSTPONE INDEFINITELY

You want to kill a motion that is being discussed.

After recognition, “Madam Moderator, I move to postpone the question indefinitely.”

RECESS

You want to take a break for a while.

After recognition, “Madame Moderator, I move to recess for ten minutes.”

ADJOURNMENT

You want the meeting to end.

After recognition, “Madame Chairman, I move to adjourn.”

PERMISSION TO WITHDRAW A MOTION

You have made a motion and after discussion, are sorry you made it.

After recognition, “Madam President, I ask permission to withdraw my motion.”

CALL FOR ORDERS OF THE DAY

At the beginning of the meeting, the agenda was adopted. The chairman is not following the approved agenda.

Without recognition, “Call for orders of the day.”

SUSPENDING THE RULES

The agenda has been approved and it is obvious that an item you are interested in will not come up before adjournment.

After recognition, “Madam Chairman, I move to suspend the rules and move item 5 to position 2.”

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

The noise outside the meeting has become so great that you are having trouble hearing.

Without recognition, “Point of personal privilege.”
Chairman: “State your point.”
Member: “There is too much noise, I can’t hear.”

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

You are going to propose a question that is likely to be controversial and you feel that some of the members will try to kill it.

After recognition, “Madame Chairman, I move that we go into a committee of the whole.”

POINT OF ORDER

It is obvious that the meeting is not following proper rules.

Without recognition, “I rise to a point of order,” or “Point of order.”

POINT OF INFORMATION

You are wondering about some of the facts under discussion, such as the balance in the treasury.

Without recognition, “Point of information.”

POINT OF PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY

You are confused about some of the parliamentary rules.

Without recognition, “Point of parliamentary inquiry.”

APPEAL FROM THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR

Without recognition, “I appeal from the decision of the chair.”

Rule Classification and Requirements

Class of Rule	Requirements to Adopt	Requirements to Suspend
Charter	Adopted by majority vote or as provided by law or governing authority.	Cannot be suspended.
Bylaws	Adopted by membership.	Cannot be suspended.
Special Rules of Order	Previous notice & 2/3 vote, or a majority of entire membership.	2/3 Vote.
Standing Rules	Majority vote.	Can be suspended for session by majority vote during a meeting.
Modified Roberts Rules of Order	Adopted in bylaws.	2/3 vote.

Robert’s Rules of Order Cheat Sheet