I am not a lawyer. This is not legal advice.

Robert's Rules Are Different for Small Boards

Groups with a dozen or fewer members operate under a different set of rules. See RONR (10th ed) pages 470-1.

• No motion is required for discussion or debate.
• No motion is required for a vote.
• The chair may make motions.
• The chair may speak on issues.
• No one need stand (the floor is not required) for motions, points of order, voting, etc.
• Motions need not be seconded.
• There are no limits on the number of times, or the length of time, that any member may speak, and motions to limit debate are not generally in order.
• The chair may vote in any size assembly, but in a small board, the chair usually votes.
• Informality may make it difficult to know when a decision has been reached and makes it more difficult to know what to include in the minutes, particularly when the minutes are to be published (made available to the public) .

Conducting Meetings Table of Contents

Created July 22, 2007
Updated July 23, 2007