Robert's Rules of Order Part 1 Flashcards
absentee voting
This type of voting is done by a person who is not in attendance at the meeting. The bylaws must expressly authorize this action before it is allowed.
abstain
To verbally refrain from voting. Frequently the reason for abstaining is a conflict of interest.
abstention
The result of abstaining from voting. Because the abstention is not voting, it does not count as a vote cast.
accept
To adopt or approve a motion or report. The effect of accepting a report is the assembly endorses the report in its entirety, every word of it.
acclamation
An election by unanimous consent.
ad hoc
A special committee. The term comes from a Latin term meaning “to this” and refers to a committee formed for a particular purpose.
adhering to the motion
A motion is considered adhering to the motion if it is made while the motion it is adhering to is pending. For example, a main motion is made. While it is being discussed, an Amendment is made to that Main Motion. The Amendment is adhering to the Main Motion. Adhering motions remain connected to the main motion even if the motion is interrupted, Referred, Postponed, or temporarily disposed of.
Adjourn
A motion to close the meeting.
adjourned meeting
A meeting that is a continuation of a previous meeting. It occurs when the work was not completed at a regular or special meeting and there was a motion to continue the meeting at a different time. The original meeting and the adjourned meeting make up a single session. Because it is a continuation of a previous meeting, special notice of the meeting doesn’t need to be sent to the membership. The adjourned meeting begins on the agenda where the meeting it is continuing left off.
adjournment sine die
A Latin term which means “without day.” It is the final adjournment of an assembly. The last meeting of the convention is said to be an adjournment sine die.
administrative year
While not a parliamentary term, this term refers to the time period in which the officers remains in office without need for re-election.
affirmative vote
A vote in favor of the adoption of the motion.
agenda
A predetermined sequence of items of business to be covered at a specific meeting; an order of business. The prescribed agenda for organizations that have regular meetings at least quarterly and have RRoO as their parliamentary authority is: approval of minutes; reports of officers, boards, and standing committees; reports of special committees; special orders; unfinished business and general orders; and new business.
alternate
A member authorized to substitute for another member.
Amend
A motion to modify the pending motion before it is voted on.
Amend by adding
One of the forms of a motion to Amend. This form places a word, consecutive words, or a paragraph at the end of a motion.
Amend by inserting
One of the forms of a motion to Amend. This form places a word, consecutive words, or a paragraph in the beginning or the middle of a motion.
Amend by striking out
One of the forms of a motion to Amend. This form takes out a word, consecutive words, or a paragraph in a motion.
Amend by striking out and inserting
One of the forms of a motion to Amend. This form strikes out a word or consecutive words and inserts a word or consecutive words in its place.
Amend by substituting
One of the forms of a motion to Amend. This form strikes out a paragraph or more and inserts another paragraph or more.
Amend Something Previously Adopted
A motion that allows the assembly to change an action previously taken. This motion can be applied to a motion adopted at a previous meeting provided that none of the action involved has been carried out in a way that is too late to undo.
amendable
When a motion is amendable, it can be modified during the time it is pending (Step 4).
Amendment
A motion that proposes a change to the wording of a pending motion.
American Institute of Parliamentarians (AIP)
The professional organization of parliamentarians that emphasizes knowledge of RRoO, Sturgis, and other parliamentary authorities.