• Parliamentary procedure exists to facilitate the transaction of business and to promote cooperation and harmony.
  • All members have equal rights, privileges, and obligations.
    • The majority has the right to decide.
    • The minority has rights, which must be protected.
  • A quorum must be present for the group to act.
  • Full and free discussion of every motion considered is a basic right.
  • Only one question at a time can be considered at any given time.
  • Members have the right to know at all times what the immediately pending question is, and to have it restated before a vote is taken.
  • No member can speak until recognized by the chair.
  • No one can speak a second time on the same question as long as another wants to speak a first time.
  • The chair should be strictly impartial.

Adapted from Roberts Rules of Order, 10th Edition

Source: Leading Effective Meetings: Making Basic Parliamentary Procedure Work, Attachment 2, On-line pdf file, Northeast College, Houston Community College, Student Services Department