Standards of Parliamentary Order

for the

Manchester Community Council Revised: 2/4/06

The foundational standard for all rules of order for the Manchester Community Council, a local assembly of an organized society, shall be the most current edition of the official Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised issued by the Robert’s Rules Association.  All questions and interpretations pertaining to the rules of order shall be examined and measured by the full text contained within the whole standard.  Actual rules of order adopted and employed will be extracted from the standard as practicable as will any changes or additions to the employed rules of order.  No rule of order shall violate the by-laws.

The order of business during meetings will follow the agenda(s) proscribed by the Officers and the Executive Board.  This agenda (A list or program of things to be done or considered) will follow the order of business. 

The regular monthly meeting order of business shall be as follows:

•  Opening - Chair (or designee) The chair will ensure that a quorum of paid up members is present prior to opening the meeting. 

•  Minutes of previous meetings – Secretary; This includes those minutes which have not yet been approved of the previous membership, executive board or special meetings.  Following the reading of each, a motion by a member, a second by a member, discussion, and 51 % affirmative vote of members present is required for acceptance.

•  Treasurer's report – Treasurer; Following the report, a motion by a member, a second by a member, discussion, and 51 % affirmative vote of members present is required for acceptance.

•  Reports of standing committees - Chair will ask committee chairs for their reports.  Actions on committee recommendations shall be made under new business.

•  Reports of special committees - Chair will ask committee chairs for their reports.  Actions on committee recommendations shall be made under new business.  Old business - Chair will bring up business items from the previous meeting for consideration by the members present.  The Chair will entertain a motion from a member, a second from a member, discussion by the attendees, and a 51 % vote by members present for approval of each item.

•  New business - Chair will recognize members wishing to introduce new items of business.   Each item requires a motion from a member, a second from a member, discussion by attendees, with a 51 % vote by members present for approval.

•  Good and welfare - Chair will recognize those attendees wishing to speak, for the purpose of miscellaneous announcements and items of common interest to the Council.

•  Adjournment - Chair will ask for motion, second, and vote, and announce result.

Addressing the Council:

•  Attendees wishing to speak shall raise their hand for recognition. 

•  Attendees shall be recognized by the chair prior to speaking on an issue.

•  All remarks shall be directed to the chair. 

•  Disrespectful conduct is inappropriate.

•  For discussion on the motion, once recognized by the chair, the attendee shall be allowed to speak, uninterrupted by other members, at the discretion of the Chair.

•  The chair will ensure that any attendees wishing to speak to an issue shall be given the opportunity. 

•  After each attendee wishing to be heard has had an opportunity, those who have previously spoken may again be recognized.

The monthly meeting is recognized as being the official venue for members conducting any business to come before the body.  It is open to current paid up members, and non-members alike.  Non-members are guests, are invited to contribute any relevant comments to the meeting, as appropriate, but may not make motions, second motions, or vote.  Those eligible may apply for membership to the organization at any time.