“Cannot use RONR without a Parliamentarian.”
Most association members have grown up with RONR in their college, employment, and community life, observing how RONR is utilized. Additionally, there is an abundance of workshops, textbooks, and websites to teach members RONR. There is no such educational support for the “modern and brief ” entities. RONR is not an obstacle to member or officer recruitment; unknown entities are. Furthermore, if an association is serious about its reason to exist, it probably is incorporated and has an involved budget. The association would not cease to grow merely because now it will need an attorney and a CPA. Why should it cease to grow because its complexity and size leads it to need a parliamentarian? “RONR is complex and complicated.”
There are two ways to simplify a set of rules of order. Neither is beneficial, productive, or advisable. a. Place members’ rights under the authority and discretion of the presiding officer. b. Omit procedures that protect members’ rights and include only the minimum, basic procedures. The “modern and brief ” entities lack an explanation on debate protocol, serving in committees, disciplinary action, reversal of decisions, removal of elected officials, convention procedures, handling of complex situations, electronic meetings, preference in recognition, etc. “RONR includes too many unnecessary motions that add nothing.”
See the previous explanation. In the past year I have worked with three of these “modern and brief ” entities. • Rosenberg’s Rules of Order:
The majority rules, but the chair has a great deal of discretion over all members’ rights. The chair’s ruling is the final word, though the body could try to overrule the chair. Rosenberg Continued next page www.parliamentarians.org
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