Notes and Comments on Robert's Rules, Fourth Edition

The Chair

142 The Chair Any advice for the new chair? For openers, the chair must be willing to do the job—must be willing to lead. There is a misconception that the chair is a closet fascist, a tyrant who uses the power of the office to abuse the rights of the grassroots members. Occasionally that is true. Far more likely is the chair who hesitates to lead, the chair who wants to please everyone and thus finds a way not to do the job. Our experience with presidents of organizations has been that almost universally they are concerned—at times obsessed—with being fair, with conducting business according to the rules. When the chair abuses the role or makes an error, motions are available in parliamentary procedure to correct the error; when the chair refuses to lead, the meeting dies (454–56). How should the chair respond to the phrase “I so move” or “so moved”? After an idea is stated (and sometimes before refinement), a member will push forward with the phrase, “I so move” or “So moved.” Such a statement is as dangerous as the chair saying, “You have heard the motion.” Neither approach provides the clarity necessary to avoid later confusion. “The chair should never try to avoid [this] critically important duty by saying, ‘You have heard the motion’ or by saying, ‘The motion is moved and seconded’ without repeating its words” (455). May the chair enter into debate? No, the presiding officer who wishes to debate must relinquish the chair and not return to it until the main question has been disposed of (43–44, 394–95). Robert’s is strict: “On certain occasions—which should be extremely rare—the presiding officer may believe that a crucial factor relating to such a question has been overlooked and that 143 The Chair his obligation as a member to call attention to the point outweighs his duty to preside at that time” (394–95). Too strict. The chair is not only a member; the chair is the leader. The chair has a responsibility to keep members fully informed of the consequences of any action they might take and may remain in the chair while meeting this responsibility . It does not serve the organization well to require the presiding officer to leave the chair while providing crucial information that is necessary for informed debate. For example, if a motion might prompt legal action due to proposed changes in state law, the presiding officer can and should call this situation to the attention of the members, and the members then can debate and act as they wish. Should the chair say “Nay” or “No” for negative votes? “No” is used in voice votes (45). The term “Nay” only appears occasionally in roll-call votes (420). Horses say “neigh”; people say “no.” Oh, and while we are at it, the term “Aye” is pronounced like eye, not hay. How should the chair phrase a rising or show of hands vote? Once again, clarity is the key word. The chair should tell members exactly what she wishes them to do. For example, “The question is on the adoption of the motion to amend by ——.” Those in favor of the motion to amend, please rise. . . . You may be seated. . . . Those opposed, please rise. . . . You may be seated.” While this wording is slightly different from that found in Robert’s (47), it has the advantage of sounding nicer. On a counted vote, the chair might add, “and remain standing while the vote is counted.” Similarly for a vote by show of hands, “Those in favor of the motion, raise your hand. . . . Thank you. . . . Those opposed, raise your hand. . . . Thank you.” Once again, Robert’s has more detail (47), including which hand to raise, which is a bit unnecessary. Whichever voting method is used, always consider that some delegates due to infirmity or handicap may need a different means of expressing their vote. May the chair of a small board (such as a condominium) make motions, enter into debate, and vote on motions? Yes (487–88; also 9–10, 43, 53), subject to any specific rules or statutes to the contrary. 144 Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules May the chair order the removal of a disruptive member? No. Only the members have the right to require a member to leave a meeting. Robert’s tests the patience of the chair with...