NAPUS
of
North Carolina

ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER

I have chosen to write a series of articles on our method of organization, Robert’s Rules of Order. During each convention, be it; our North Carolina State Convention or the National NAPUS Convention, I have observed instances of misapplication or total lack of awareness. For this reason, I have decided we could all use a little refresher in procedural methods.

In Webster’s “ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER” the importance of learning parliamentary procedures is compared to learning the rules of the road. By knowing the rules it can be assumed that meetings will run smoother, the same as traffic. I will now attempt to explain the three basic principles:

1. Take up business one item at a time. Doing so maintains order, expedites business, and accomplishes the purpose of the organization.

2. Promote courtesy, justice, impartiality, and equality. This ensures that everyone is heard, that members treat each other with courtesy, that everyone has the same rights, and that no individual or special group is singled out for special favors.

3. The majority rules, but the rights of individual, minority, and absent members are protected. This principle insures that, even though the majority rules, the minority has a right to be heard and its ideas are taken seriously. Similarly, the minority doesn’t leave the organization because it didn’t win; it knows that it may win another day. Following this principle preserves the unity and harmony of the organization.

My next article will cover Planning and using Agendas.

Darlene P. Williams
Education Chairperson
Postmaster, Jamestown, NC