Browse the categories below for answers to common questions about parliamentary procedure and business meetings. Click on the answer to any question for additional information. Relevant blog posts are also listed for each category.
FAQs
What is parliamentary procedure?
The rules that govern the process of doing business in a group. Learn More >
Where are parliamentary procedure rules found?
In a book called a “parliamentary authority.” Learn More >
Is parliamentary procedure even relevant anymore? Yes. Learn More >
Does the law ever reference parliamentary procedure? Yes. Learn More >
Should bylaws be easy to change? No. Learn More >
Should bylaws include as much detail as possible? No. Learn More >
Is there a way to set a rule aside temporarily and move forward without it? Yes. Learn More >
Blog Posts
3 Foundational Principles of Parliamentary Procedure Read Blog >
What Does a Professional Parliamentarian Do? Read Blog >
100 FAQ’s about Parliamentary Procedure Read Blog >
What Is Parliamentary Procedure? Read Blog >
Why You Should Hire a Professional Parliamentarian for Your Annual Meeting – Part 1 Read Blog >
Why You Should Hire a Professional Parliamentarian for Your Annual Meeting – Part 2 Read Blog >
Who Needs Parliamentary Procedure Anyway? Part 1 Read Blog >
Who Needs Parliamentary Procedure Anyway? Part 2 Read Blog >
Where Do Meeting Rules Come From? Read Blog >
How To Break the Rules Read Blog >
Does Parliamentary Procedure Apply in Small Groups? Read Blog >
How to Ask for Parliamentary Procedure Help During a Meeting Read Blog >
Quick Guide: Fiduciary Duties Read Blog >
A Quick Guide to Being an Effective Board Member in 2024 Read Blog >
3 Essential Facts about Bylaws Read Blogs >
FAQs
Should bylaws include as much detail as possible? No. Learn More >
Is there a way to set a rule aside temporarily and move forward without it? Yes. Learn More >
Blog Posts
3 Essential Facts about Bylaws Read Blog >
How To Break the Rules Read Blog >
What Is the Standard Code? Read Blog >
How to Get Help with Your Robert’s Rules Questions Read Blog >
What Is Robert’s Rules? Read Blog >
A Beginner’s Guide to Governing Documents & Rules Read Blog >
How to Ignore Robert’s Rules and Do Your Own Thing Read Blog >
Infographic: Laws, Bylaws, and Parliamentary Procedure Read Blog >
FAQs
Is a larger quorum better than a smaller one? No. Learn More >
Can a group still meet if a quorum isn’t present? Yes. Learn More >
Are actions taken without a quorum valid? No. Learn More >
Is there a way to make actions taken without a quorum valid? Yes. Learn More >
If you lose a quorum in the middle of a meeting, does the meeting have to end immediately? No. Learn More >
Can a different, higher quorum be set for a particular action? Yes. Learn More >
Blog Posts
How to Ask the Group for a Favor Read Blog >
4 Myths About Quorum – And Why the Truth Matters Read Blog >
Why You Should Consider a Lower Quorum Requirement Read Blog >
FAQs
Does a special meeting require advance notice? Yes. Learn More >
Does the standard order of business in Robert’s Rules of Order always have to be followed? No. Learn More >
Are consent agendas allowed for non-government groups? Yes. Learn More >
Do consent agendas save time? Likely, yes. Learn More >
Should a committee always give a verbal report? No. Learn More >
Is there a way to limit the amount of time that each member debates a motion? Yes. Learn More >
Is there a way to continue a meeting at a later date? Yes. Learn More >
Should the Chair alternate between those in favor of and those opposed to a motion during discussion? Yes. Learn More >
Blog Posts
Can an Agenda Be Changed During a Meeting? Read Blog >
What to Put on a Consent Agenda Read Blog >
Easy Fix: Ways to Make an Agenda Work for You Read Blog >
8 Questions To Ask When Making an Agenda Read Blog >
4 Key Steps To Get Ready for a Meeting Read Blog >
The Secret Tip that Will Transform Your Property Owners Association Annual Meeting Read Blog >
How to Have a Special Meeting Read Blog >
5 Basics for Successfully Navigating Your Next Business Meeting Read Blog >
5 Ways to Fail at Leading a Meeting Read Blog >
The No. 1 Secret to Shortening Your Meetings Read Blog >
3 Tips To Save Time in Your Next Board Meeting Read Blog >
How to Continue a Meeting Read Blog >
How to Take a Break During a Meeting Read Blog >
How to End a Meeting Read Blog >
Take This One Step To Transform Your Business Meetings Read Blog >
How to Break a Rule in a Meeting Read Blog >
Quick Guide: Unanimous Consent Read Blog >
What No One Tells You About Executive Session Read Blog >
Are Virtual Meetings the Best Choice? Read Blog >
Why You Should Disable the Chat for Your Next Virtual Meeting Read Blog >
3 Things Most People Get Wrong About Virtual Meetings Read Blog >
What You Really Need to Know About Consent Agendas Read Blog >
3 Ways to Be a Good Board Member in 2023 Read Blog >
3 Tips To Save Time in Your Next Board Meeting Read Blog >
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Your 2022 Business Meetings Read Blog >
5 Blog Posts to Help Remake Your Meetings in 2019 Read Blog >
Quick Fix: Get Rid of Time-Wasting Committee Reports Read Blog >
How to Make Discussion More Efficient Read Blog >
Handy Tips for Keeping Discussion under Control Read Blog >
FAQs
Do you need a motion to enter executive session? Yes. Learn More >
Can someone who isn’t a member attend executive session? Likely, no. Learn More >
Do you need to take minutes in executive session? Yes. Learn More >
Are actions taken in executive session a secret? Generally, yes. Learn More >
Blog Posts
What No One Tells You About Executive Session Read Blog >
FAQs
Can any motion be made at any time? No. Learn More >
Can a group discuss a topic without a main motion? Yes. Learn More >
How do you make a motion? Say, “I move that….” Learn More >
Does every motion need a second? Generally, yes. Learn More >
Should you second a motion only if you agree with it? No. Learn More >
Does a motion coming from a committee need a second? No. Learn More >
Is there a way to change the wording of a motion? Yes. Learn More >
Does an amendment to a motion require a vote? Yes. Learn More >
Does a friendly amendment need a second? Likely, yes. Learn More >
What should happen after someone makes a main motion? The Chair should ask if anyone wants to discuss it. Learn More >
Are motions required in a small group? Yes. Learn More >
Are seconds required in a small group? No. Learn More >
When is the right time to make a specific motion? Check the order of precedence. Learn More >
Is a motion to Table always in order? No. Learn More >
Does a motion to Table kill a main motion? No. Learn More >
What motion should a member use to kill a main motion? The motion to Postpone Indefinitely. Learn More >
Can the Chair debate a motion? Likely, no. Learn More >
Blog Posts
How to Lay a Motion on the Table Read Blog >
How to Postpone a Motion to a Specific Time Read Blog >
How to Make Sure Business Is Conducted in the Proper Order Read Blog >
Infographic: Motions Quick Guide Read Blog >
How Does a Main Motion Work with Other Motions? – Part 1 Read Blog >
How Does a Main Motion Work with Other Motions? – Part 2 Read Blog >
Can You Kill a Motion by Moving To Table It? Read Blog >
Tips for Ensuring Maximum Impact When You Debate a Motion Read Blog >
How to Avoid Wordsmithing a Motion During a Meeting Read Blog >
What To Do If You Think a Main Motion Is a Bad Idea Read Blog >
Infographic: Lifecycle of a Motion Read Blog >
Quick Guide: The Lifecycle of a Motion Read Blog >
Quick Guide: How to Make Motions Read Blog >
How to Amend a Main Motion Read Blog >
How to Change the Wording of a Motion Read Blog >
Can You Discuss a Topic without a Main Motion? Read Blog >
What Is a Secondary Motion? Read Blog >
How to Refer a Motion to a Committee Read Blog >
5 Quick Facts about Seconds Read Blog >
4 Things Most People Get Wrong About Seconds Read Blog >
Quick Guide: Friendly Amendments Read Blog >
How to Ask the Group for a Favor Read Blog >
Don’t Use Committees Until You’ve Read This Read Blog >
The Right Way To Make a Point of Information Read Blog >
What To Do If The Chair Rules Against Your Point of Order Read Blog >
3 Facts You Must Know About a Point of Order Read Blog >
5 Things Most People Get Wrong about a Point of Order Read Blog >
How to Kill a Motion Read Blog >
How to Rescind or Change a Previous Action Read Blog >
How to Take a Motion Off the Table Read Blog >
How to Appeal a Ruling by the Chair Read Blog >
How to Make Sure a Group Doesn’t Consider a Motion Read Blog >
How to Withdraw a Motion Read Blog >
How to Split a Motion into Parts Read Blog >
A Quick Guide on the Motion to Refer to Committee Read Blog >
How to Make a Point of Order Read Blog >
How to Make a Point of Information Read Blog >
How to Take a Motion Back from a Committee Read Blog >
3 Tips for Making an Amendment to a Main Motion Read Blog >
Does Parliamentary Procedure Apply in Small Groups Read Blog >
FAQs
Does Robert’s Rules allow each member to speak indefinitely? No. Learn More >
Is the setting of debate time limits an irreversible decision? No. Learn More >
Blog Posts
How To Manage Business Meeting Debate Read Blog >
How to End Debate and Vote Immediately Read Blog >
Can a Decision to Limit Debate Be Changed? Read Blog >
How To Make Discussion More Efficient Read Blog >
5 Essential Facts about Closing Debate Read Blog >
Handy Tips for Keeping Discussion under Control Read Blog >
3 Wrong Ways to Facilitate Discussion at a Meeting Read Blog >
How to Set the Amount of Time for Discussing a Topic Read Blog >
4 Answers to Your Questions about “Previous Question” Read Blog >
How To Discuss a Topic After It’s Been Voted On Read Blog >
Tips for Ensuring Maximum Impact When You Debate a Motion Read Blog >
Can You Discuss a Topic without a Main Motion? Read Blog >
FAQs
If there’s only one candidate running for a position, do you have to use ballots for the election? Likely, no. Learn More >
Do nominations need a second? No. Learn More >
Are nominations from the floor always permitted? No. Learn More >
Can a member of the nominating committee also be a candidate for a position? Yes. Learn More >
Does a nominating committee need to nominate more than one person for each position? No. Learn More >
Can a person run for more than one office at the same time? Yes. Learn More >
Blog Posts
How to Make a Nomination from the Floor Read Blog >
The Robert’s Rules Way To Make a Nominating Committee Report Read Blog >
2 Common Nominations Mistakes Read Blog >
Can a Person Run for More Than One Office at the Same Time? Read Blog >
4 Things Most People Don’t Know About Nominations Read Blog >
The No.1 Mistake People Make in Elections Read Blog >
Quick Guide: Election by Acclamation Read Blog >
FAQs
Does the group need to take a vote on a friendly amendment? Likely, yes. Learn More >
Is a vote to close debate also a vote on the main motion? No. Learn More >
Does a motion to close debate require a two-thirds vote? Yes. Learn More >
Can a member interrupt another speaker to make a motion to close debate? No. Learn More >
Should the Chair ask who is abstaining when he takes a vote? No. Learn More >
Should abstentions be counted as votes “cast” when calculating a majority? No. Learn More >
Do abstentions ever affect the result of a vote? Yes. Learn More >
If you think a vote count is incorrect, can you do anything about it? Yes. Learn More >
Can the Chair of a meeting vote? Usually, no. Learn More >
Can a member change his vote after casting it? Sometimes, yes. Learn More >
Does a raised hand or standing vote always need to be counted? No. Learn More >
Is a unanimous consent vote actually a vote? Yes. Learn More >
Is unanimous consent the same as general consent? Yes. Learn More >
In an election, can an individual who receives the lowest number of votes on the first ballot be automatically removed from the second ballot? No. Learn More >
Is a vote of no confidence a vote to remove a person from an office? No. Learn More >
Is a tie vote a winning vote? No. Learn More
Is a member entitled to cast a secret ballot? No. Learn More >
Should the Chair ask for those opposed to a motion even if he knows it passed? Yes. Learn More >
Can a member ask for a recount of a ballot vote? Yes. Learn More >
Can a candidate oversee the counting of election ballots? Yes. Learn More >
How do you calculate a two-thirds vote? Determine the number present and voting , multiply by 2, divide by 3. Learn More >
Is the number of people present important for calculating a majority vote? Usually, no. Learn More >
Blog Posts
How to Calculate the Results of a Vote Read Blog >
Can the Chairman of a Meeting Vote? Read Blog >
Quick Guide: Voting Terms and Calculating Votes Read Blog >
How to Challenge the Announced Result of a Voice Vote Read Blog >
How to Take a Vote in 5 Easy Steps Read Blog >
Quick Guide: Election by Acclamation Read Blog >
How to Decide If a Ballot Vote is Legal Read Blog >
A Beginner’s Guide for Tellers: How to Collect Ballots and Count Votes Read Blog >
5 Characteristics of a Rock Star Teller Read Blog >
How to Take a Vote Online Read Blog >
4 Things Most People Get Wrong about Abstentions Read Blog >
4 Ways to Screw Up a Vote Read Blog >
Everything You Need to Know About Counting Ballot Votes Read Blog >
10 Common Questions about Voting Read Blog >
4 Facts You Must Know About a Vote of No Confidence Read Blog >
What Is a Majority Vote? Read Blog >
4 Things People Get Wrong About Voting Read Blog >
The No.1 Mistake People Make in Elections Read Blog >
4 Ways to Take a Vote Read Blog >
4 Things Most People Don’t Know About Nominations Read Blog >
How to End Debate and Vote Immediately Read Blog >
How to Take a Vote Online Read Blog >
How to Draft a Tellers Report Read Blog >
3 Facts You Must Know about a Tellers Report Read Blog >
How to Ask for a Vote to Be Retaken Read Blog >
How to Make a Ballot Read Blog >
Quick Guide: Ex-officio Members Read Blog >
How To Discuss a Topic After It’s Been Voted On Read Blog >
Quick Guide: Friendly Amendments Read Blog >
4 Answers to Your Questions about “Previous Question” Read Blog >
Quick Guide: Unanimous Consent Read Blog >
FAQs
Does a nominating committee report have to be read out loud at a meeting if it was already distributed to members in email? Yes. Learn More >
Should a tellers report include th e number of members eligible to vote or the number of members abstaining?No. Learn More >
Blog Posts
How Should Committee Reports Be Drafted and Presented? Read Blog >
Quick Fix: Get Rid of Time-Wasting Committee Reports Read Blog >
How to Draft a Tellers Report Read Blog >
3 Facts You Must Know about a Tellers Report Read Blog >
The Robert’s Rules Way To Make a Nominating Committee Report Rea d Blog >
Don’t Use Committees Until You’ve Read This Read Blog >
How to Refer a Motion to a Committee Read Blog >
FAQs
Should the minutes include a summary of what each member said during debate? No. Learn More >
Should the minutes include points of order? Yes. Learn More >
Can any member review the Board’s meeting minutes? No. Learn More >
Can a member view the organization’s minutes whenever he wants? No. Learn More >
Should minutes be a transcript of the meeting? No. Learn More >
Should the minutes say who seconded each motion? No. Learn More >
Should the minutes include the motions that failed? Yes. Learn More >
Can any member demand that his comments be included in the minutes? No. Learn More >
Do the minutes have to be read aloud before they are approved? No. Learn More >
Does a correction to the minutes require a vote? Yes. Learn More >
Does approval of the minutes require a vote? Yes. Learn More >
Is there a legal reason to take minutes? Yes. Learn More >
Blog Posts
The Real Truth about Who Gets to See Meeting Minutes Read Blog >
4 No-Nonsense Reasons to Take Good Minutes Read Blog >
How to Take Minutes in 4 Easy Steps Read Blog >
How Do You Approve or Correct Minutes? Read Blog >
10 Common Questions About Minutes Read Blog >
The Top 3 Reasons To Take Minutes Read Blog >