ORIGINAL: SSRCCPREZ
The most important thing to remember,John, is this is not the weapon for revenge or to disrupt the meting, but a tool to level the playing field and to conduct a meeting in a well thought out manner that is forward moving and allows for all parties interests to be protected. Ultimately, the chairma rules. There are very very very few motions that are not debateable or able to be overruled or ruled out of order by the chairman. also, remember the chairman can, when challenged make the final ruling. Only at the will of the chairman can he have an objection or question of order be determined by the membership. In otherwords if you question the chairman's ruling on an issue, he can make a final determination or ask the membership for said determination. He does not have to ask the membership and after he has mad a determination it is final. This is where knowing the rules and having them handy makes the difference. Without them handy you are tilting at windmills, and when your knowledge of the rules is not in depth or thorough you will then look like the village idiot instead of the town's mayor.
Believe me, I have had several people come at me with half the knowledge neccessary and no concrete proof of a rules violation I may have made. I then quote chapter and verse where I am correct, then pull out my book and have them look it up to bolster my argument. I know Robert's rules. I use them judiciousley and fairly. But do not bring a spit ball to a cannon fight.
Sir:
I would suggest that you revisit Roberts Rules in the area of "appeal" (decision of the Chair). It is a motion that has the same requirements of recognition by the Chair as does "point of order" (mandatory recognition) and if it is seconded then a vote must be taken to determine if the decision of the Chair is to be sustained or vacated. The Chair must recognize the motion, recognize the second, conduct discussion, record the vote of the membership, and is bound by the results. It prevents an over zealous Chair from becoming King and insures the Chair is subject to the will of the majority of the members.
Roberts rules certainly assist the Chair in conducting an organized meeting - but in the hands of the members, Roberts Rules assures democracy. Having a resonable working knowledge of the rules prevents a minority from over ruling the majority - Roberts rules can be administered from the floor as well as from the Chair.
Roberts rules defines a parliamentary process that empowers everyone, officers and members, and it levels the playing field. It follows the concept of "rule of law" which is infinitely better than no law. When there are problems just follow the rules. What Roberts rules is not is a tool that enables those in charge to dominate, it is exactly the opposite.
Howard