Reference sheet
These are rules of order adopted into the Local 19 Constitution
From the Local 19 Constitution
ARTICLE XIV Miscellaneous
Rules of Order
Sec. 4. A motion to be entertained by
the presiding officer must be seconded, and the mover as well as the
seconder must rise and be recognized by the chair; it shall be reduced to
writing at the request of the Secretary.
Sec. 5. In presenting a motion a brief statement of its objects may be made;
but no discussion of its merits shall be admitted until the question is
stated by the
chair.
Sec. 6. Any member having made a motion can withdraw it by consent of his
second; but a motion once debated cannot be withdrawn except by unanimous
consent.
Sec. 11. Each member when speaking shall confine himself to the question
under debate and avoid all personal and indecorous language.
Sec. 12. No member shall interrupt
another while speaking, except to a point of order, and he shall definitely
state the point, and the chair shall decide the same without debate
Sec. 13. If a member while speaking be called to order, he shall take his
seat until the point of order is decided, when, if decided in order, he may
proceed.
Sec. 16. No member shall speak more than once on the same subject until all
members desiring the floor shall have spoken, nor more than twice without
consent.
Sec. 17. The presiding officer shall not speak on any subject except points
of order and appeals from the decision of the chair; he shall have a vote on
all questions before the meeting, and in case of a tie vote the question at
issue shall be declared lost.
Sec. 18. When a question is before the meeting, no motion shall be in order
except:
a. To adjourn,
b. To lay on the table,
c. To postpone to a given time,
d. To refer to recommit
e. To amend, and these several motions shall have precedence in order herein arranged.
Roberts Rules of Order
Roberts Rules of Order is the official Local 19 book for reference to ensure proper meeting decorum.
Some common mistakes;
Point of Information
A point of information is to ask the speaker a QUESTION for more
information, either about process or to better understand what they are
trying to say. This not to be used so you can interrupt the speaker to take
over the floor..
A member may interrupt the speaker to ask her/his question, but the speaker
who has the floor has the privilege to refuse the question. The chair will
ask the speaker if s/he wishes to entertain a question at that time. A point
of information is not an opportunity to bring forward information, jump the
speakers' list, harass another speaker, or generally disrupt the proceedings
- IT CAN ONLY BE A QUESTION.
Misc. Rules
The following three points are always in order at anytime.
1.Point of Order: a question about process, or objection and suggestion of alternative process. May include a request for the facilitator to rule on process.
2. Point of Information: a request for information on a specific question, either about process or about the content of a motion. This is not a way to get the floor to say something you think people should know.
3. Point of Personal Privilege: a comment addressing a personal need such as; to protest a direct response to a comment defaming one's character, a plea to open the windows, turn down the heat, etc.