National Alliance of HUD Tenants
A multi-cultural, tenant-controlled alliance of tenant organizations
in privately-owned, multifamily
HUD-assisted housing. Hundreds
of tenant associations representing thousands of tenants in
every
region of the country are already involved, working together to:
Preserve affordable housing * Protect tenant's rights * Promote tenant ownership and control
National Alliance of HUD Tenants
42 Seaverns Avenue
Boston, MA 02130
tel: (617) 267-9564
fax: (617) 522-4857
naht@saveourhomes.org
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BOB'S RULES OF ORDER
For most organizations in which people share a sense of trust and a common vision, these simple rules are enough to run meetings in a friendly yet efficient manner-- without the need for using hundreds of specific and sometimes obscure rules of parliamentary procedure.
Rules of Order
- To speak at a meeting, a person must be recognized by the chair. Only one person can be recognized at a time.
- A main motion must be made and seconded before discussion can begin on any proposal for action.
- Only three things can happen to a main motion: It may be amended, tabled, or either adopted or rejected.
- An amendment can be debated, amended itself, and finally adopted or rejected by a majority vote of those voting. If it is adopted, it becomes part of the main motion. If it is rejected, the debate returns to the main motion.
- A motion to table requires a majority vote of those voting. If a main motion is tabled, it cannot be brought up again at that meeting.
- The main motion (as amended) can be adopted, or rejected by a majority of those voting. Once the main motion has been voted upon, there can be no further discussion of it.
- After sufficient debate has taken place on an
amendment or a main motion, anyone can “call
the question”--i.e. move to end debate and
proceed immediately to a vote. This can be
done either “informally” or “formally”.
- If the question is called “informally”, the chair asks if everyone is ready to vote. If there is no objection, an immediate vote is take, with no debate allowed.
- If someone objects to ending the debate, an immediate vote with no discussion allowed is taken. If two-thirds of those voting wish to end debate, then no more discussion is allowed. If less than two-thirds vote to end debate, then discussion continues until someone else “calls” the question.
- A motion to adjourn a meeting can be made at any time. There is an immediate vote, with no debate allowed. If a majority of those voting wish to adjourn, then the meeting is adjourned. If less than a majority wish to adjourn, then the meeting continues.
Under “Bob's Rules of Order” all other questions regarding the running of the meeting should be decided by the chair on the basis of...common sense! If someone tries to speak out of turn or disrupt the meeting in any way, the chair can rule that person “out of order”. If anyone objects to any decision by the chair, that person can “challenge the ruling of the chair”. When this occurs, each voting participant--including the chairperson-- can speak to the challenge once and for only one minute. Then debate is ended and a vote is taken immediately to either uphold or reject the decision of the chair. If the majority of those voting uphold the ruling of the chair, then the meeting proceeds. If the majority vote to reject the ruling of the chair, then the chair must announce a different decision, which can also be challenged if it is not acceptable.