Robert's Rule: an Introduction

Robert's Rules of Order 會議秩序規則
Written by Henry Martin Robert in 1862.
Full name of the is Robert's Rules of Order.
It discussed and summarized consensus decision-making, an approach that may often be more appropriate for organization.
1. Bylaws & Status 內部章程和規定
2. Formality 正式手續
3. Basic Principles 會議的基本原則
4. the Agenda 議程
5. Motions 提議  議案
6. Reports 報告
7. Elections 選舉
8. Removal 撤職 卸任
9. Mall Ballots and Proxies
10. Bylaw Amendments 規章修正

Parliamentary procedure
1. A motion should be made or seconded before discussion of any issue starts.

2. The chair should restate the motion after it has been made and seconded to clarify and ruled in order.

3. Reports of committee don't always have to be "approved" or "accepted". They can simply be received if no immediate action is desired.
"Approving" or "accepting" means that all items within the report have received approval from the meeting group. Usually, the treasurer's report should be "received" rather than approved,since it is un-audicted and sometimes incomplete.

4. The chair of a committee to move the report be received or approved. (This places more responsibility on committee chairs for running good committee meetings.)

5. Only one main motion can be considered at a time:
A main motion brings an action before the group. For example, "I move adoption of the report", or " I move approval of the minutes". 我提議....

6. A privileged motion is one that calls for immediate action of the whole group. For example, "I move that one we recess". It must be considered before any other motion and is not debatable. (Courtesy has a very high place in parliamentary procedure.)

7. A subsidiary motion is one to change or dispose of a main motion. For example: "I moves that the minutes be amended to delete paragraph three," or "I move that the minute be amended to reflect my vote."
The subsidiary motion must be discussed and voted on before the main motion can be discussed and voted on, although it can not be made unless the main motion is already on the table.

8. A motion to reconsider a previous vote must be made by someone on the previous winning side.

9. When someone "calls for the previous question," it is only a suggestion to end the discussion going. If someone "moves the previous question" and there is a second, you much vote on whether or not to end the debate If the motion fails, the discussion continues.

10. As a general rule, don't attempt to draft substantive language longer than a single sentence in a formal meeting. Refer it to a committee or back to staff.

We Are All Human
Everybody, from statesman and diplomats to salesmen, corporate executive, and professionals - all of us make mistakes in matters of customs and courtesies and with parliamentary procedures.
We are not born with this knowledge, it is learned through experience and study.
If others make mistakes, correct or instruct them gently. Drawing attention to another's error is a discourtesy in itself.
If we make an error of custom, courtesy or procedure, simply offer an honest apology and move on.
The art of apology - sincere, not supplicating - is the greatest courtesy of all.