Must RONR be formally adopted by a deliberative body before they can be used in a meeting?

[Guest Niles]

During a meeting a member of a deliberative body (home owners association) attempts to stiffle discussion by citing Robert's Rules. However Robert's Rules have never been adopted by the HOA. Can he cite a rule in Robert's without the book being officially adopted by the group?

[Guest Edgar]

Can he cite a rule in Robert's without the book being officially adopted by the group?

Well, it could be argued that your group is bound by the common parliamentary principles best expressed in RONR whether it has formally adopted it or not. But if this person is using RONR to "stifle discussion", the odds are extremely good that he's mis-using it.

[Tim Wynn]

During a meeting a member of a deliberative body (home owners association) attempts to stiffle discussion by citing Robert's Rules. However Robert's Rules have never been adopted by the HOA. Can he cite a rule in Robert's without the book being officially adopted by the group?

RONR does not stifle anything but disorder.

If the association has adopted or is otherwise bound by a different manual on parliamentary law, anything that RONR has to say in conflict with that manual has no bearing.

However, RONR may be persuasive in cases not covered by your rules of order, but it is not binding.

By the way, how is this member trying to use RONR to stifle?

[g40]

Perhaps the OP could give an example. It is also possible that "discussion" should be "stifled". For example, during the deliberative part of the meeting, under RONR, there needs to be a motion, properly seconded, before "debate" (or perhaps discussion) proceeds. It would be perfectly proper for a member of the assembly to raise a point of order that this "discussion" is proceeding without a motion on the floor. One might (improperly, I believe) at this as citing Robert's Rules to stifle discussion, but I would consider it very proper in moving the meeting along to consider specifically proposed actions.

[David A Foulkes]

Can he cite a rule in Robert's without the book being officially adopted by the group?

Without actually answering this question (see Mr. Wynn's reply), there are times where "discussion" (RONR calls it debate) is not allowed. One example would be while voting is taking place, and another would be when the immediately pending motion is not debatable.

So, a few more details might get you farther along here.

[Guest Edgar]

So, a few more details might get you farther along here.

And one of those details might be just who is meeting, the general membership of the association or the board. And, if the board, just who is doing the "discussing", a member of the board or a general member of the association. And, as mentioned already, just when, in the course of the meeting, is this "discussion" taking place.