Principles of Parliamentary Procedure

I. History of Parliamentary Procedure

A. The "Parli Pro" used today comes from Robert's Rules of Order.

B. Henry Martyn Robert did not know how to run an effective meeting.

a. He studied parliamentary law.
b. He wrote a user friendly how-to manual in 1876.
c. His ninth edition of Robert's Rules of Order was published in 1990.

C. Purpose of Parliamentary Procedure
 

a. To provide order to a meeting
b. To provide focus for the meeting
c. To ensure fairness for all members of the meeting

D. General Principles of "Parli Pro"

a. Majority rule/minority rights
b. Deal with one matter at a time
c. Members have rights & obligations

1. Right to be heard
2. Right to oppose
3. Right to request information