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Intuitively, congregation councils (and even Synod
Council) typically do not followed Robert's Rules of
Oder, Newly Revised, in the full, recognizing that
debate can in most cases take place in a less formal
fashion. The downside of this emerges when matters become
contentious or confused. Buried in Robert's Rules of
Order, Newly Revised, is provision for procedure
in small boards, a handy set of alternative rules
that provide for order without being onerous. From the 12th
edition:
49:21 PROCEDURE IN SMALL BOARDS. In a board
meeting where there are not more than about a dozen
members present, some of the formality that is necessary
in a large assembly would hinder business. The rules
governing such meetings are different from the rules
that hold in other assemblies, in the following
respects:
- Members may raise a hand instead of standing when
seeking to obtain the floor and may remain seated
while making motions or speaking.
- Motions need not be seconded.
- There is no limit to the number of times a member
can speak to a debatable question. Appeals, however,
are debatable under the regular rules—that is, each
member (except the chair) can speak only once in
debate on them, while the chair may speak twice.
- Informal discussion of a subject is permitted while
no motion is pending.
- When a proposal is perfectly clear to all present, a
vote can be taken without a motion’s having been
introduced. Unless agreed to by unanimous consent,
however, all proposed actions must be approved by vote
under the same rules as in larger meetings, except
that a vote can be taken initially by a show of hands,
which is often a better method in small meetings.
- The chairman need not rise while putting questions
to a vote.
- If the chairman is a member, he may, without leaving
the chair, speak in informal discussions and in
debate, and vote on all questions .
Additionally, the footnotes to the chapter of this
section state:
- However, motions to close or limit debate,
including motions to limit the number of times a
member can speak to a question, are in order even in
meetings of a small board…. (fn. 3).
- Informal discussion may be initiated by the chairman
himself, which, in effect, enables the chairman to
submit his own proposals without formally making a
motion as described in 4:4–8 (although he has the
right to make a motion if he wishes) (fn. 4).
It is not necessary that a congregation council formally
adopt this procedure. If the parliamentary authority of the
congregation is Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised,
latest edition, the procedure in small boards is
automatically in effect, though a given council may want to
use the full rules for a deliberative assembly if the
councilors do not play well together. It would be wise for a
congregation council to review the procedure in small
boards, especially when new council members join it.
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