the agenda

[wwdslovene]

Our organization has gone through a rather serious crisis. Our president, who often ignored our own bylaws and Robert's Rules, resigned,

and we have a new president who is intent on running a democratic organization. A question has arisen to which I seek an answer.

It is determined that a quorum is present. The president calls the meeting to order with a rap of the gavel. What then should the next

order of business be? We know that the president should ask for additions, if any, to the agenda. When? Just before the agenda is

accepted? The latter requires a majority vote. If we wait until the agenda is accepted, then any change requires a 2/3 vote. So,

is asking for additions or changes to the agenda the very first item in a meeting? Many thanks for your replies.

[Chris Harrison]

Our organization has gone through a rather serious crisis. Our president, who often ignored our own bylaws and Robert's Rules, resigned,

and we have a new president who is intent on running a democratic organization. A question has arisen to which I seek an answer.

It is determined that a quorum is present. The president calls the meeting to order with a rap of the gavel. What then should the next

order of business be? We know that the president should ask for additions, if any, to the agenda. When? Just before the agenda is

accepted? The latter requires a majority vote. If we wait until the agenda is accepted, then any change requires a 2/3 vote. So,

is asking for additions or changes to the agenda the very first item in a meeting? Many thanks for your replies.

If you have an agenda it is up to you all to work out the details. However, under the Standard Order of Business the first item of business is to approve the minutes (RONR p. 25).

[Tim Wynn]

Our organization has gone through a rather serious crisis. Our president, who often ignored our own bylaws and Robert's Rules, resigned,

and we have a new president who is intent on running a democratic organization. A question has arisen to which I seek an answer.

It is determined that a quorum is present. The president calls the meeting to order with a rap of the gavel. What then should the next

order of business be? We know that the president should ask for additions, if any, to the agenda. When? Just before the agenda is

accepted? The latter requires a majority vote. If we wait until the agenda is accepted, then any change requires a 2/3 vote. So,

is asking for additions or changes to the agenda the very first item in a meeting? Many thanks for your replies.

Most organizations don't need an agenda and would do well to avoid them, as the Standard Order of Business will do just fine. It can be found in RONR(10th ed), p. 342, with detailed descriptions of its application on the following pages.

[tctheatc]

The president calls the meeting to order with a rap of the gavel. What then should the next

order of business be? .

If you have an agenda it is up to you all to work out the details. However, under the Standard Order of Business the first item of business is to approve the minutes (RONR p. 25).

And be sure to refer to it as Chris has indicated. e.g. "The next item of business is..."

[tctheatc]

If we wait until the agenda is accepted, then any change requires a 2/3 vote.

Perhaps. Or a vote of the majority of the entire membership. Or unanimous consent.

As indicated above, an agenda is not necessary. But if you are going to use one, be sure to read RONR 360-363 to get started.

[Kim Goldsworthy]

It is determined that a quorum is present.

The president calls the meeting to order with a rap of the gavel.

What then should the next order of business be?

The reading of the minutes.

We know that the president should ask for additions, if any, to the agenda.

When?

Just before the agenda is accepted?

Forget the agenda.

That might be your problem.

You don't need an agenda to run a meeting.

All the business can be called out by a prompt from the chair.

E.g., "Is there any officer ready to report? Is there any committee ready to report? Is there any new business?"

If you have no rule which demands that an agenda be presented and adopted, then, I suggest, simply your life, and DON'T MESS WITH ONE.

So, is asking for additions or changes to the agenda the very first item in a meeting?

Under normal circumstances, "No." The reading of the minutes is the very first item of business, for most organizations, under most circumstances.

If you have a rule which demands that an agenda exists, then, "Yes," the chair prompting for approval of the published agenda will likely be a mandatory first item, since the priority of each item is a variable, and the order of all items is up to the assembly to fix.