Last week's meeting was embarrassing. It was ironic to hear a resident make a reference to Robert's Rules of Order, when his own wife was not observing Robert's Rules. Personal attacks were made toward other board members. Speaking without being recognized by the president seems to be the norm now. This includes the superintendent! When residents or taxpayers go up to speak, they are often met with interruptions. Hostility and bullying have no place at a school board meeting.
I am extremely optimistic that good things will happen this year. I believe the school board is headed in the right direction. Even Pantone's Color of the Year is encouraging. Here is to 2018!
5 comments:
Having your husband to speak on your behalf at a school board meeting (when you serve on the board and already have an outsized voice) is embarrassing. It shows how powerless they really are. It's the final gasp of a desperate attempt to retain some semblance of control.
I believe that he responded on his behalf not hers. The rules of order and transparency were ignored by the new President. He is allowed to have a voice.
He can have a voice, but it's not his place to cite the rules. That's counsel's job. I'm guessing he was napping. Such a valuable contributor, I can see why CLC went to bat for him. /sarcasm
But please let me know when another spouse or partner comes to the mic.
Can someone corroborate?
http://www.roberts-rules.com/suspendrules2.htm
It appears the board by-laws do allow for suspension of rules with majority vote of those present and since the re-organization meeting appears to be a policy and not a by-law, rule suspension is permitted with approval.
SURVIVAL
TIPS
on Parliamentary
Procedure
According to
Robert's
RULES OF
ORDER
California State
Association of
Parliamentarians
Home
Survival Tips on
Robert's Rules of Order
Suspend the Rules
When an assembly wishes to do something it cannot do without violating its regular rules, it can adopt to 'Suspend the Rules' that interfere with the proposed action. The proposal must not be in conflict with bylaws/constitution, local/state/national laws, or a fundamental principle of parliamentary law. This motion cannot be debated or amended.
Examples of how to move this motion is to say:
"I move that we suspend the rule that prohibits us from right now taking up the previously postponed motion on book sales."
"I move that we suspend the rule that prohibits us from listening to the budget report now."
"Call for the Orders of the Day" forces the assembly to adhere to the adopted agenda. "Suspend the Rules" releases us from adhereing to the adopted agenda. There is no such thing as "Suspend the Orders of the Day".
Rules that CAN be suspended with a 2/3 vote:
Rules of Order (These relate to Parliamentary Procedure)
Special Rules of Order (These relate to Parliamentary Procedure)
Rules that CAN be suspended with a majority vote:
Standing Rules (not related to Parliamentary Procedure)
Rules that CANNOT be suspended even with unanimous consent (unless they provide for their own suspension):
Bylaws/Constitution (unless it is clearly a rule of order, see page 17, line 22-24.) **
Federal/State/local law **
Fundamental Principles of Parliamentary Law: **
Rule that allows one question at a time
Rule that allows only members to vote when present in a legal meeting.
Rule that prohibits absentee or cumulative voting.
Rule protecting absentees or basic rights of the individual member.
Rule requiring the presence of a quorum.
Rule requiring a previous notice.
Rule requiring the election of officers by a (secret) ballot.
Rule allowing members to attend meetings, make motions, speak in debate (move Previous Question is not the same as Suspend the Rules), or vote, except through §61 - Disciplinary Procedures.
Portion or entire order of business (agenda). 'Proceed to' and later 'Return' is not the same as Suspend the Rules.
A Lebo Citizens reader just spoke with a Castle Shannon court representative who said it is still sitting on the judge's desk.
Elaine
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