Robert’s Rules of Order - Top 10 Things You Should Know About~
Bylaws:
A written document that defines the purpose of your group, its organizational structure, and the rules that govern the group. Bylaws should be customized for your group, published, and reviewed annually for revisions.Amendments: Formal changes to your bylaws.
Agenda:
A written list of items that will be covered during a meeting.Minutes:
The written record of all business transacted at a meeting.Minutes should be kept for both executive board meetings and general PTO meetings.
Motion:
A formal proposal that the group take some specific action. Motions are voted on by the group. An idea at a meeting will often result in the presentation of a motion. A motion is the way to resolve a dispute, debate, disagreement, or open issue. Any member in good standing can present a motion to the group.A motion can be tabled if the group needs more time before voting on the motion. Tabling a motion suspends consideration until the group’s next formal meeting.
Seconding:
When a member presents a motion, her idea must be supported by another member. The supporting member “seconds” the motion to indicate her support. After a motion is seconded, it should be discussed by the group. A motion cannot be voted on unless it is seconded.Adjournment: A formal motion to end a meeting. At the appropriate time, a member moves to adjourn, another member seconds, and the rest of the members voice their agreement. The secretary records the adjournment time in the minutes.
Quorum:
The minimum number of members that are required to conduct business at a PTO meeting. Quorum is specified in a PTO’s bylaws.Officers and Elections:
The bylaws should specify the elected officers of the PTO, their main duties, their terms of office, and the procedures by which they are nominated and elected.Robert’s Rules of Order:
Originally written by General Henry M. Robert in 1876, it is the most common form of parliamentary procedure in the United States. It was designed to keep business moving, protect the rights of members, and ensure polite behavior in organizations.A PTO’s bylaws should specify that Robert’s Rules of Order is the group’s parliamentary authority. The complete version of RRO is hundreds of pages and covers every conceivable situation for the most complex organization. Many simplified versions have been published. Every PTO president should own at least one simplified version of Robert’s Rules.