Rules for Adopting Policies/Procedures

[Guest Steve]

Can anyone tell me what the rules are for an organization voting on the adoption of a new set of policies/procedures that are independent of any other document?  How much notice must be given in advance of the vote?  Does the vote require a simple majority to pass or something else?

[Gary Novosielski]

When you say "new" set, does that imply there was an old set?

 

Also, it's worth noting that while policies and procedures might be separate from the bylaws, they can never be truly independent of them.

 

The answer will also vary depending upon whether these new rules will be in the nature of Special Rules of Order, or Standing Rules.

 

Special Rules of Order are usually not required if you have adopted a suitable parliamentary authority (viz. RONR).   But if you need them, they require for passage either

• previous notice and a 2/3 vote, or
• a vote of a majority of the entire membership.

Standing Rules, which are rules dealing with administrative matters not related to parliamentary procedure, can be adopted without notice by a majority vote, just as any regular act of the society.

[Guest Steve]

The new policies/procedures have to do with safety:  a committee developed an emergency action plan for our organization.  There was no "old" policy.

[George Mervosh]

The new policies/procedures have to do with safety:  a committee developed an emergency action plan for our organization.  There was no "old" policy.

 

These seem to be in the nature of Standing Rules, which can be adopted by majority vote.without previous notice, although there's no harm in giving notice if possible.  RONR (11th ed.), p. 18.

[Guest Steve]

Thank you so much.  That is exactly what I was looking for!