Parliamentarian’s Corner - Robert’s Rules
Societies function better when there is order and peace. This tenet holds true with the gathering of people or any deliberative assembly, including Staff Council!
Parliamentary procedure supplies a common body of rules that provide processes through which organizations can work out satisfactory solutions to the greatest number of questions/issues in the least amount of time. The general principle of parliamentary procedure is that the majority rules. Historically, parliamentary procedure existed as far back as the 13th century in the English Parliament, but in The United States it was not implemented until 1876, when “Robert’s Rules of Order” was published by Henry Martyn Robert. The Rules outlines procedures for various situations that may arise in decision making, allowing members to smoothly run a meeting while considering all perspectives.
More to come on parliamentary procedure in the next issue!
Alan Slinkard | BCSC Parliamentarian