Motion to Censure Member of the Body

[Guest Robert W. Barnes]

Just a general question. When Roberts is adopted by a deliberative body as the guide for discussion, debate and voting, is there included in Roberts a provision for censure of a member of the body who has made inappropriate remarks directed to others in the same body?

[Rob Elsman]

Just a general question. When Roberts is adopted by a deliberative body as the guide for discussion, debate and voting, is there included in Roberts a provision for censure of a member of the body who has made inappropriate remarks directed to others in the same body?

When a member breaches the rules of decorum in debate, any member can raise a Point of Order by interrupting, saying, for example, "Mr. President, I call the gentleman to order!". Ordinarily, the chair should correct the fault by admonishing the speaker to avoid dealing in personalities and permit the speaker to continue, if no one objects. See RONR (10th ed.), §23, pp. 240ff. For more serious offenses, see pp. 626-628.

[J. J.]

When a member breaches the rules of decorum in debate, any member can raise a Point of Order by interrupting, saying, for example, "Mr. President, I call the gentleman to order!". Ordinarily, the chair should correct the fault by admonishing the speaker to avoid dealing in personalities and permit the speaker to continue, if no one objects. See RONR (10th ed.), §23, pp. 240ff. For more serious offenses, see pp. 626-628.

That applies only within the context of a meeting; I'm not sure if these comments were made within a meeting. Mr. Barnes?

[Josh Martin]

Just a general question. When Roberts is adopted by a deliberative body as the guide for discussion, debate and voting, is there included in Roberts a provision for censure of a member of the body who has made inappropriate remarks directed to others in the same body?

The motion to censure is simply an original main motion which expresses the assembly's disapproval. It is debatable and requires a majority vote.

[hmtcastle]

Just a general question. When Roberts is adopted by a deliberative body as the guide for discussion, debate and voting, is there included in Roberts a provision for censure of a member of the body who has made inappropriate remarks directed to others in the same body?

RONR devotes an entire chapter (the dreaded "Dos Equis" Chapter XX) to Disciplinary Procedures.

[Trina]

RONR devotes an entire chapter (the dreaded "Dos Equis" Chapter XX) to Disciplinary Procedures.

I still haven't gotten around to reading that one from beginning to end, so 'dreaded' seems to apply. Maybe I need a bottle of the matching beverage, while reading, as suggested by Mr. Mountcastle's reference .

[David A Foulkes]

I still haven't gotten around to reading that one from beginning to end, so 'dreaded' seems to apply. Maybe I need a bottle of the matching beverage, while reading, as suggested by Mr. Mountcastle's reference .

A bottle? Trina, I'd put a six-pack in the fridge, just to be sure. It's a feature-packed 20 pages, to be sure.

[Guest Robert W. Barnes]

That applies only within the context of a meeting; I'm not sure if these comments were made within a meeting. Mr. Barnes?

Yes. Totally within the context of a measure being debated on the floor of the meeting.

[J. J.]

Yes. Totally within the context of a measure being debated on the floor of the meeting.

In that case, the chair might "name" the offender (pp. 627-8). Basically censure is a motion that expresses the opinion of the assembly. Naming a member is the first step in disciplinary action in this case.

[Rob Elsman]

Yes. Totally within the context of a measure being debated on the floor of the meeting.

If the offense is the first, and not exceptionally grievous, a simple admonition by the chair should suffice.