Several years ago I bought two little books that summarize Robert's Rules of Order. I have referred to them over and over. It's pretty standard that bylaws will define Robert's Rules of Order as the parliamentary authority for the organization. Basically, that means if your bylaws don't specify how to do something (like make a motion), you defer to what RRO says. That way, you can resolve issues and keep your meetings moving without getting bogged down in a debate over procedures. You just refer to the expert, Robert.
A PTO is a pretty informal group (compared to say the US Congress) so we use only a small bit of the scope of RRO. I've always understood that the Presiding officer (i.e. president) cannot make motions. By the way, she cannot vote either except to break a tie. My RRO books both describe how the chair can guide a member into making a motion. The chair also "restates" the motion which is a formal way to clarify exactly the words of the motion for the minutes and so the members are clear on what they are discussing and voting about. But the chair doesn't make the actual motion herself.
Any big bookstore will have a selection of books on RRO. The two I use are Robert's Rules in Plain English by D. Zimmerman and The Modern Ediition of Robert's Rules of Order by D. Patnode. I like having two books so I can compare them to eachother on especially confusing issues.
In a meeting of membership, the presiding officer can't make motions. You can guide discussion and get someone else to make the motion for you, though. Motions are supposed to come from your membership.
In a board situation, it is less restrictive, and the President can make a motion.
This is pretty much RRO.
If you don't expect too much from me, you might not be let down. <img src=images/smilies/smile.gif>
I love this board. We are dealing with thess types of questions too. Since we are newer to the board---we are still learning....but I have a simple yet clueless question...who makes the motions? Does the board? Can the Parents/members of the PTO???? I have looked in our "wonderful" bylaws and there is nothing there. Help!!!!!
If a President can make a motion, a Co-President can make a motion. Our PTO meetings only had the President allowed to make a motion (they cannot 2nd).
The great thing about asking questions here is you get myriad responses from folks that have expertise in different areas. I didn't know about the co-chair either, but appreciate the information. I've taken a lot from here and improved my own group (I hope).
We too use RR's as a back up but I always appreciate knowing how it's supposed to be done.
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