Point of order

[Guest Gary]

We have a set policy for how our meetings are to be conducted. Who can speak, and when. If during the meeting, the chair disreguards one of those policy rules, is there a roberts rule way to point this out? Point of order seems to suggest errors in procedure, not errors in rules violations.

[Chris Harrison]

A Point of Order and/or Appeal are the proper tools to use.  See RONR pp. 247-260 for details.

[Josh Martin]

We have a set policy for how our meetings are to be conducted. Who can speak, and when. If during the meeting, the chair disreguards one of those policy rules, is there a roberts rule way to point this out?

 

A Point of Order.

 

Point of order seems to suggest errors in procedure, not errors in rules violations.

 

A Point of Order is used when a member believes there has been a violation of the rules, and an error in procedure is a violation of the rules.

 

"When a member thinks that the rules of the assembly are being violated, he can make a Point of Order (or "raise a question of order," as it is sometimes expressed), thereby calling upon the chair for a ruling and an enforcement of the regular rules" (RONR, 11th ed., pg. 247).

 

"It is the right of every member who notices a breach of the rules to insist on their enforcement. If the chair notices a breach, he corrects the matter immediately; but if he fails to do so - through oversight or otherwise - any member can make the appropriate Point of Order" (RONR, 11th ed., pgs. 249-250).

 

Now, since you say the chair is disregarding one of the rules, this seems to suggest that the violation is intentional (and I suspect this is the distinction you were really trying to get at with your errors in procedure vs. rules violations comment). A Point of Order is still the correct first step, but it seems the chair will likely rule the point not well taken. The next step is to Appeal from the decision of the chair.

 

"By electing a presiding officer, the assembly delegates to him the authority and duty to make necessary rulings on questions of parliamentary law. But any two members have the right to Appeal from his decision on such a question. By one member making (or "taking") the appeal and another seconding it, the question is taken from the chair and vested in the assembly for final decision" (RONR, 11th ed., pgs. 255-256).