Editing Robert's Rules of Order

{{short description|Book on parliamentary procedure by Henry Martyn Robert}}
{{redirect|In Brief|the online publication formerly known as ''In Brief''|Virginia Law Review Online{{!}}''Virginia Law Review Online''}}

[[File:Book cover - robert's rules of order orig 1876 edition.jpg|thumb|First edition, 1876]]
'''''Robert's Rules of Order''''', often simply referred to as '''''Robert's Rules''''', is a manual of [[parliamentary procedure]] by U.S. Army officer [[Henry Martyn Robert]] (1837–1923). "The object of Rules of Order is to assist an assembly to accomplish the work for which it was designed [...] Where there is no law [...] there is the least of real liberty."<ref>{{Cite book |title=Robert's Rules of Order |last=Robert |first=Henry |year=1986 |publisher=Bantam Books |isbn=0-553-22598-7 |location= |pages=16}}</ref>  The term ''Robert's Rules of Order'' is also used more generically to refer to any of the more recent editions, by various editors and authors, based on any of Robert's original editions, and the term is used more generically in the [[United States]] to refer to parliamentary procedure.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bliss |first1=Edwin |title=The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure |date=1993 |publisher=McGraw-Hill, Inc. |location=New York |isbn=0-07-062522-0 |page=xx |edition=Third |quote = The term 'Robert's Rules of Order' is commonly used today as a synonym for parliamentary procedure.}}</ref> It was written primarily to help guide voluntary associations in their operations of governance.

Robert's manual was first published in 1876 as an adaptation of the rules and practice of the [[United States Congress]] to suit the needs of non-legislative societies. ''Robert's Rules'' is the most widely used manual of parliamentary procedure in the United States.<ref name="Notes and Comments">{{Cite book|title = Notes and Comments on Robert's Rules|last1 = Slaughter|first1 = Jim|publisher = Southern Illinois University Press|year = 2012|isbn = 978-0-8093-3215-1|location = Carbondale and Edwardsville|page = 160|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=5THFbCnDdbIC&pg=PA160|last2 = Ragsdale|first2 = Gaut|last3 = Ericson|first3 = Jon L.|edition = Fourth}}</ref> It governs the meetings of a diverse range of organizations—including church groups, county commissions, homeowners' associations, nonprofit associations, professional societies, school boards, trade unions, and college fraternities and sororities—that have adopted it as their [[parliamentary authority]].<ref name=":8" /> Robert published four editions of the manual before his death in 1923, the last being the thoroughly revised and expanded Fourth Edition published as '''''Robert's Rules of Order Revised''''' in May 1915.

== History ==
[[File:Henry Martyn Robert.jpg|thumb|upright|Henry M. Robert]]
A U.S. Army officer, Henry Martyn Robert (1837–1923), saw a need for a standard of parliamentary procedure while living in [[San Francisco]]. He found San Francisco in the mid-to-late 19th century to be a chaotic place where meetings of any kind tended to be tumultuous, with little consistency of procedure and with people of many nationalities and traditions thrown together.

The first edition of the book, whose full title was ''[[s:Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies|Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies]]'', was published in February 1876 by the then-Major Robert, with the short title ''Robert's Rules of Order'' placed on its cover.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Robert|2020}}</ref>

The procedures prescribed by the book were loosely modeled after those used in the United States House of Representatives, with such adaptations as Robert saw fit for use in ordinary societies.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Robert|2020|p=xliii}}</ref> Although he was in the military, the rules in his book were not based on military rules. The author's interest in [[parliamentary procedure]] began in 1863 when he was chosen to preside over a church meeting and, although he accepted the task, he felt that he did not have the necessary knowledge of proper procedure.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |url-status=deviated |url=https://www.usace.army.mil/About/History/Historical-Vignettes/General-History/038ChurchMeetings/ |title=Historical Vignette 038 – An Army Engineer Brought Order to Church Meetings |date=November 2001 |access-date=2015-11-25 |publisher=U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Office of History |archive-date=2015-11-26 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151126105402/http://www.usace.army.mil/About/History/HistoricalVignettes/GeneralHistory/038ChurchMeetings.aspx }}</ref>

In his later work as an active member of several organizations, Robert discovered that members from different areas of the country had very different views regarding what the proper parliamentary rules were, and these conflicting views hampered the organizations in their work.<ref name=":2" /> He eventually became convinced of the need for a new manual on the subject, one which would enable many organizations to adopt the same set of rules.<ref name=":6" />

Henry M. Robert himself published four editions of the manual before his death in 1923, the last being the thoroughly revised and expanded Fourth Edition published as ''[[s:Robert's Rules of Order Revised for Deliberative Assemblies|Robert's Rules of Order Revised for Deliberative Assemblies]]'' in May 1915.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Af4gAAAAIBAJ&pg=4218%2C4818380|title = One of the Best Sellers|date = August 22, 1917|access-date = 2015-12-01 |page=14 |via = Google News Archive|newspaper = The Day |location=New London, Connecticut}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PexQAAAAIBAJ&pg=7375%2C3374067|title = The Man Who Wrote the Rule Book|date = December 5, 1955|access-date = 2015-11-27|via = Google News Archive Search|newspaper = The Milwaukee Journal|last = Kloss|first = Gerald }}{{deadlink|date=September 2023}}</ref> By this time Robert had long been retired from the Army with the rank of brigadier general. The revisions were based on the feedback from hundreds of letters that Robert had received through the years.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":3" /> In addition, to explain the rules in ''Robert's Rules of Order Revised'' (abbreviated ROR), Robert published an introductory book for beginners titled ''Parliamentary Practice: An Introduction to Parliamentary Law'' in 1921 and a full book of explanations titled ''Parliamentary Law'' in 1923.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Parliamentary Practice: An Introduction to Parliamentary Law|last = Robert|first = Henry M.|publisher = D. Appleton-Century Company|year = 1921|location = New York|page = x|url = https://archive.org/details/parliamentarypr00robegoog}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = Parliamentary Law|url = https://archive.org/details/parliamentarylaw00robe|last = Robert|first = Henry M.|publisher = D. Appleton-Century Company|year = 1923|location = New York|page = v}}</ref>
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== Special rules ==
In those cases in which the bylaws or other governing documents of an organization refer to "Robert's Rules of Order", certain rules in the book may be subordinate to other specified rules, including any conflicting provisions in applicable law, the corporate charter, the constitution or bylaws, and special rules of order.

Even if an organization has adopted ''Robert's Rules of Order'', it can still adopt its own rules which supersede any rules in this book.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web|title=How to Adopt|url=https://robertsrules.com/how-to-adopt/|access-date=2020-09-07|website=The Robert’s Rules Association}}</ref> The only limitations might come from the rules in a parent organization or from national, state, or local law. An example of a rule that organizations sometimes adopt is one that allows the use of [[proxy voting]]. Such a rule is not allowed unless the organization specifically provides for it in its bylaws.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Robert|2020|p=407}}</ref>

== Concise editions ==
Since the [[copyright]]s for several of the original editions (1915 or earlier) have expired, numerous other books and manuals have been published incorporating "Robert's Rules of Order" as part of their titles, with some of them based on those earlier editions (see [[List of books with Robert's Rules in the title]]). Some examples are<ref>{{cite web |title=RRO Versions |url=https://robertsrules.org/versions.php |website=robertsrules.org |access-date=April 13, 2020}}</ref>
*''Robert's Rules of Order'' (1989) by Darwin Patnode, PhD, past President of the American Institute of Parliamentarians. Simplified and updated based on the original 1876 edition, [[Thomas Nelson (publisher)|Thomas Nelson]], {{isbn|978-0840771995}}
*''[[The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure]]''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bliss |first1=Edwin |title=The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure |date=1988 |publisher=McGraw-Hill, Inc. |location=New York |isbn=0-07-062522-0 |page=xx |edition=Third |quote=This book has been described as 'Robert's rules of order without the deadwood.' It's an apt description.}}</ref>
*''Robert's Rules in Plain English, Second Edition'' (2005) by Doris P. Zimmerman, [[HarperCollins]], {{isbn|978-0060787790}}
*''Robert's Rules Simplified'' (2006), by Arthur T. Lewis and Henry M. Robert, [[Dover Publications]], {{isbn|978-0486450964}}
*''In Brief''
{{Infobox book
| name              = Robert's Rules of Order <br/> Newly Revised In Brief
| title_orig        = Robert's Rules of Order
| translator        = 
| image             = RONR_In_Brief_cover.jpg
| image_size        = 200px
| caption           = Cover of 2020 (3rd) edition
| author            = {{plainlist|
* [[Henry Martyn Robert|General Henry M. Robert]]
* Sarah Corbin Robert
* Henry M. Robert III
* William J. Evans
* Daniel H. Honemann
* Thomas J. Balch
* Daniel E. Seabold
* Shmuel Gerber
}}
| illustrator       = 
| cover_artist      = 
| country           = 
| series            = 
| subject           = [[Parliamentary procedure]]
| genre             = Reference
| publisher         = [[Da Capo Press]]
| pub_date          = 2020
| english_pub_date  = 
| media_type        = 
| pages             = 214
| isbn              = 978-1-5417-9770-3
| isbn_note         = (paperback)
| dewey             = 060.42 ROB
| congress          = JF515 .R692 2011
| oclc              = 
| preceded_by       = 
| followed_by       = 
}}
Henry M. Robert III, grandson of the original author and Trustee for the Robert's Rules Association, had acknowledged that "there has been controversy among parliamentarians concerning the length of ''Robert's Rules'' in its various editions and the complexity of the rules it describes."<ref name=":3" /> As a result, a supplemental book was developed.

In 2005, a shorter reference guide, ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief'' (abbreviated RONRIB), was published by the same authorship team and publisher as the Tenth Edition of ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'' (RONR) and was made to be in accord with that edition of RONR. A third edition of this shorter guide was published in 2020 to conform with the current Twelfth Edition of ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised''.

The ''In Brief'' book is the only concise guide for ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'' authorized by the Roberts Rules Association, and is intended as an introductory book for those unfamiliar with [[parliamentary procedure]].<ref name=":7">{{cite web|title=Newly Revised 3rd In Brief Edition|url=https://robertsrules.com/books/newly-revised-3rd-in-brief-edition/|access-date=2020-09-07|website=The Robert’s Rules Association}}</ref> The authors say, "In only thirty minutes, the average reader can learn the bare essentials, and with about ninety minutes' reading can cover all the basics."<ref name="Robert 2011 xxiv">{{Harvnb|Robert|2020|p=xxiv}}</ref> It is meant to be an introductory supplement to the current edition of ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'' and is not suitable for adoption as a [[parliamentary authority]] in itself.

== Comprehensive editions ==
{{Infobox book
| name              = Robert's Rules of Order <br/> Newly Revised
| title_orig        = Robert's Rules of Order
| translator        = 
| image             = RONR_12th_Edition.jpg
| caption           = Cover of 2020 (12th) edition
| author            = {{plainlist|
* [[Henry Martyn Robert|General Henry M. Robert]]<br />(1837–1923)
* [[Sarah Corbin Robert]]<br />(1886–1972)
* Henry M. Robert III<br />(1920–2019)
* William J. Evans<br />(1928–2007)
* Daniel H. Honemann
* Thomas J. Balch
* Daniel E. Seabold
* Shmuel Gerber
}}
| illustrator       = 
| cover_artist      = Pete Garceau
| country           = 
| series            = 
| subject           = 
| genre             = 
| publisher         = [[Hachette Book Group]]
| pub_date          = {{start date|2020|9|1}}
| english_pub_date  = 
| media_type        = 
| pages             = 
| isbn              = 978-1-5417-3669-6
| isbn_note         = (paperback)
| dewey             = 060.42 ROB
| congress          = JF515 .R692 2020
| oclc              = 
| preceded_by       = 
| followed_by       = 
}}
Through a family trust, and later through the Robert's Rules Association (which is made up of descendants of Henry M. Robert), several subsequent editions of ''Robert's Rules of Order'' have been published, including another major revision of the work.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O9cmAAAAIBAJ&pg=6676%2C2967424|title = The 75th Anniversary of Robert's Rules of Order |at=Afro Magazine section, p. 6 |date = March 24, 1951|access-date = 2015-12-02|via = Google News Archive |newspaper = The Afro-American }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q-FLAAAAIBAJ&pg=4474%2C1769970|title = Madam, Are You Out of Order?|date = September 6, 1957|access-date = 2015-11-27|via = Google News Archive |newspaper = The Free Lance-Star |location=Fredericksburg, Virginia |page=4 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gl0tAAAAIBAJ&pg=2376%2C1655269|title = Roberts'<!--sic--> rules pass test of time|date = January 11, 1981|access-date = 2015-12-02|via = Google News Archive |work = Beaver County (Pa.) Times |agency=Associated Press |last = Braude |first = Dick |page=A14}}</ref> The Seventh Edition, published in February 1970 on the 94th anniversary of the publication of the First Edition, was the first under the title ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'' (RONR).<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qCYxAAAAIBAJ&pg=5659%2C1020485|title = Is 'Robert's Rules' Passe?<!--sic: not "passé"-->|date = July 5, 1970|access-date = 2015-11-25|via = Google News Archive |work = Toledo Blade |last = Dennis|first = Landt |page=B3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q2kfAAAAIBAJ&pg=6181%2C1371733|title = New edition of 'Robert's rules' ready|date = July 14, 1970|access-date = 2015-12-02|via = Google News Archive |work = The Southeast Missourian |page=16}}</ref> The subsequent editions were based on additional feedback from users, including feedback received by electronic means in recent years. These later editions included material from Robert's ''Parliamentary Practice'' and ''Parliamentary Law''.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Excerpts from Speech by Henry M. Robert III (Presented September 21, 2004 to the convention of the National Association of Parliamentarians)|url=http://www.robertsrules.com/speech.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729040146/http://www.robertsrules.com/speech.html|archive-date=2020-07-29|access-date=2015-11-28|publisher=The Robert's Rules Association}}</ref>

The current edition of the series became effective on September 1, 2020, under the title ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'', Twelfth Edition.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.parliamentarians.org/documents/convention-minutes/|publisher = National Association of Parliamentarians|title = Convention Minutes (38th Biennial Convention Minutes September 2011)|access-date = 2015-11-28|archive-date = 2015-12-08|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208140659/http://www.parliamentarians.org/documents/convention-minutes/|url-status = dead}} Announcement by Henry M. Robert, III, at the 2011 convention of the National Association of Parliamentarians</ref> This edition states that it:

{{quote|supersedes all previous editions and is intended automatically to become the [[parliamentary authority]] in organizations whose bylaws prescribe "Robert's Rules of Order", "Robert's Rules of Order Revised", "Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised", or "the current edition of" any of these titles, or the like, without specifying a particular edition.<ref name=":9">{{harvnb|Robert|2020|p= vii }}</ref>}}

The authorship team of the current Twelfth Edition consists of a grandson of General Robert, an attorney, a lobbyist and legislative analyst, a mathematics professor, and a copy editor, all of them being experienced [[Parliamentarian (consultant)|parliamentarians]].<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/20/books/review/Donadio-t.html?ref=books|work = The New York Times|first = Rachel|last = Donadio|title = Point of Order|date = May 20, 2007|access-date = 2008-03-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Authors|url=https://robertsrules.com/the-authors/|access-date=2020-09-07|publisher=The Robert's Rules Association}}</ref>

More than six million copies have been printed (which is a total of all editions).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Our History|url=https://robertsrules.com/our-history/|access-date=2020-09-07|publisher=The Robert's Rules Association}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

The following table lists the official versions of the body of work known as ''Robert's Rules of Order'' developed by Henry M. Robert and maintained by his successors.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Editions of Robert's Rules of Order, Robert's Rules of Order Revised, and Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url = http://www.newkent.net/robert.html|title = Robert's Rules of Order Printings|access-date = 2015-11-19|last = Trout|first = Stran|archive-date = 2016-01-23|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160123023248/http://www.newkent.net/robert.html|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url = http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupname?key=Robert%2C%20Henry%20M.%20(Henry%20Martyn)%2C%201837-1923|title = The Online Books Page, Online Books by Henry M. Robert|access-date = 2015-11-20|publisher = University of Pennsylvania Libraries|last = Ockerbloom|first = John Mark}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
|-
!style="width: 20%;" |Title
!style="width: 7%;" | Edition
!Cover
!style="width: 7%;" | Year
!style="width: 40%;"| Authors (posthumous authorial credit in italics)
!style="width: 20%;"| Publisher
|-
!rowspan="3" style="width: 20%;" |''Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies'':
''Robert's Rules of Order''
|First<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.newkent.net/rulespic.html|title = Pictures of Robert's Rules of Order|access-date = 2015-11-28|last = Trout|first = Stran|quote = First Edition 1876 (Note the diamond shape on the cover)|archive-date = 2016-01-24|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160124005544/http://www.newkent.net/rulespic.html|url-status = dead}}</ref>
|[[File:Roberts Rules 1st.jpg|75px|upright]]
|February 1876
|Major Henry M. Robert
|S. C. Griggs & Company
|-
|Second
|
|July 1876
|Major Henry M. Robert (Lieut. Colonel in later printings)
|S. C. Griggs & Company
|-
|Third
|
|1893
|Lieut. Colonel Henry M. Robert (Colonel, then General in later printings)
|S. C. Griggs & Company (Scott, Foresman and Company in later printings)
|-
!rowspan="3" |''Robert's Rules of Order Revised''
|Fourth
|
|1915
|General Henry M. Robert
|Scott, Foresman and Company
|-
|Fifth
|
|1943
|''General Henry M. Robert'' (Editors: Isabel H. Robert and Sarah Corbin Robert, Trustee)
|Scott, Foresman and Company
|-
|Sixth
<small>(75th Anniversary)</small>
|[[File:Robert's Rules 6th Edition Cover.jpg|75px|upright]]
|1951
|''General Henry M. Robert'' (Editors: Isabel H. Robert and Sarah Corbin Robert, Trustee)
|Scott, Foresman and Company
|-
! rowspan="6" |''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised''

|Seventh
|
|1970
|''General Henry M. Robert'' and Sarah Corbin Robert with the assistance of Henry M. Robert III, James W. Cleary, and William J. Evans
|Scott, Foresman and Company
|-
|Eighth
|
|1981
|''General Henry M. Robert'' and ''Sarah Corbin Robert'' with the assistance of Henry M. Robert III, James W. Cleary, and William J. Evans
|Scott, Foresman and Company
|-
|Ninth
|[[File:RONR 9th edition.jpeg|75px|upright]]
|1990
|''General Henry M. Robert'' and ''Sarah Corbin Robert'' with the assistance of Henry M. Robert III and William J. Evans
|Scott, Foresman and Company
|-
|Tenth<ref>{{Cite book|last=Robert |first=Henry M.|title=Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised|others=Robert, Sarah Corbin<!--in what capacity?-->|year= 2003|isbn=0-7382-0923-6|edition=10th|location=Cambridge, Massachusetts|oclc=45286870}}</ref>
<small>("Millennium")</small>
|[[File:RONR_10th_Ed_Cover.jpg|75px|upright]]
|2000
|''General Henry M. Robert'', ''Sarah Corbin Robert'', Henry M. Robert III, William J. Evans, Daniel H. Honemann, and Thomas J. Balch
|Perseus Books
|-
|Eleventh<ref>{{Cite book|last=Robert |first=Henry M. |title=Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised|date=2011|publisher=Da Capo Press|others=Robert, Sarah Corbin<!--in what capacity?-->|isbn=978-0-306-82021-2|edition=11th |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|oclc=720599411}}</ref>
|[[File:RONR11 Cover.jpg|75px|upright]]
|2011
|''General Henry M. Robert'', ''Sarah Corbin Robert'', Henry M. Robert III, ''William J. Evans'', Daniel H. Honemann, and Thomas J. Balch with the assistance of Daniel E. Seabold and Shmuel Gerber
|Da Capo Press, A Member of the [[Perseus Books Group]]
|-
|Twelfth<ref>{{Cite book|title=Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised|publisher=Public Affairs|year=2020|isbn=978-1-5417-3669-6|edition=12th|location=New York|oclc=1121488449}}</ref>
|[[File:RONR_12th_Edition.jpg|75px|upright]]
|2020
|''General Henry M. Robert'', ''Sarah Corbin Robert'', ''Henry M. Robert III'', ''William J. Evans'', Daniel H. Honemann, Thomas J. Balch, Daniel E. Seabold, and Shmuel Gerber
|PublicAffairs, an imprint of Perseus Books LLC, a subsidiary of [[Hachette Book Group]].
|}

===Purpose===
Generally, ''Robert's Rules of Order'' is a guide for conducting meetings and making decisions as a group. The purpose of the book is "to enable assemblies of any size, with due regard for every member's opinion, to arrive at the [[general will]] on the maximum number of questions of varying complexity in a minimum amount of time and under all kinds of internal climate ranging from total harmony to hardened or impassioned division of opinion".<ref>{{Harvnb|Robert|2020|p=l}}</ref>

The book is designed for use in [[Voluntary association|ordinary societies]] rather than [[Legislature|legislative assemblies]], and it is the most commonly adopted parliamentary authority among societies in the United States.<ref name=":13">{{cite web |quote = RONR is used by approximately 85% of all organizations in the United States.|first = Jim|last = Slaughter|title = Parliamentary Procedure in the 21st Century (Updated from 'Parliamentary Procedure in 2005') |work= The Toastmaster Magazine |url = http://www.jimslaughter.com/Parliamentary-Procedure-in-the-21st-Century.cfm|access-date = 2015-11-28}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite web|last=Sylvester|first=Nancy|title=The New Version of Robert's and Why You Should Care|url=https://www.nancysylvester.com/articles-scripts|access-date=2015-11-28|quote=Since approximately 95% of the organizations in the U.S. prescribe Robert's as their parliamentary authority, the 11th edition is most likely the parliamentary authority for all organizations you are involved in.}}</ref> It is also recognized as "the most widely used reference for meeting procedure and business rules in the English-speaking world".<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url = http://www.parliamentarians.org/about/faq/|publisher = National Association of Parliamentarians|title = FAQ|access-date = 2014-03-08|archive-date = 2014-03-08|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140308091929/http://www.parliamentarians.org/about/faq/|url-status = dead}}</ref>

The book states that it is "a codification of the present-day general parliamentary law".<ref name=":17">{{harvnb|Robert|2020|p=xxix}}</ref> "General parliamentary law" refers to the common rules and customs for conducting business in organizations and assemblies. It does not refer to statutory legal requirements nor to common-law precedent derived from court judgments. In other words, the book is about procedures for meetings and not about what is "legal" (i.e. it is not a [[law book]]).

As a reference, it is designed to answer, as nearly as possible, any question of [[parliamentary procedure]] that may arise.<ref name="Robert 2011 xxiv" /> The Twelfth Edition contains 633 pages of text, and all of its original content was included because it "has at some time come up as a question of procedure somewhere".<ref name="Robert 2011 xxiv"/> The completeness of the book was made so that organizations would not have to write extensive rules for themselves. In addition, members of different organizations could refer to the same book of rules.

Henry M. Robert III responded to the simplification by saying the following:<ref name=":3" />

{{Quote|text = In an effort to make parliamentary procedure more widely accessible, known, and employed, the approach of "simplification" unfortunately resurrects the very problem that Robert's Rules first emerged to solve. When there are large gaps in the rules, one or more of three major problems occur: much time is spent in debating what the rules are or should be, the chair unilaterally imposes a result, or the majority imposes a result that frequently disregards the rights of the minority.
When virtually everyone agrees, an assembly may be able to get by without resort to elaborate rules. When there is serious division, however, it is in human nature that each side will attempt to construe any ambiguity in the rules in such a way as to foster its substantive objectives. The ideal is that the rules applicable to a contentious subject are so clear that the contending sides cannot plausibly differently interpret them to their own advantage. Only then does parliamentary law fully play its role as the neutral arbiter that channels disputes into productive debate over substance, instead of time-wasting and manipulative maneuvering over procedure.|sign = |source = }}

=== Contents of current (12th) edition ===
The contents of the current (12th) edition of ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'' (RONR), published in 2020, include details on the types of groups that use the book, the ways that decisions could be made, and the various situations in which decisions are made.

==== Basics ====
The Introduction in the book provides a [[history of parliamentary procedure]] and includes the background and history of Robert's Rules of Order. Rules in the book are based on the rights of the majority, of the minority (especially a strong minority that is greater than one third), of individual members, of absentees, and of all these together.<ref>{{Harvnb|Robert|2020|p=xlix}}</ref> Some [[Principles of parliamentary procedure|fundamental principles]] upon which the book is based include: one question at a time; one person, one vote; and a vote being limited to members present.<ref name=":0">{{Harvnb|Robert|2020|p=249}}</ref>

A group that uses the book is called a [[deliberative assembly]]. The types of deliberative assemblies are a [[mass meeting]], a local assembly of an organized society (local club or local branch), a [[Convention (meeting)|convention]], a [[Legislature|legislative body]], and a [[Board of directors|board]].<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Robert|2020|p=5}}</ref> An organization may have rules which could include a [[Articles of incorporation|corporate charter]], a [[constitution]] or [[By-law|bylaws]], rules of order ([[special rules of order]] and [[parliamentary authority]]), [[standing rule]]s, and customs. To conduct business, groups have meetings or [[Session (parliamentary procedure)|sessions]] that may be separated by more than or be within a [[quarterly time interval]]. The types of meetings are a regular meeting, a special meeting, an [[adjourned meeting]], an [[Annual general meeting|annual meeting]], an [[executive session]], a public session, and [[Electronic voting|electronic]] meetings.

A member of a deliberative assembly has the right to attend meetings, make motions, speak in debate, and vote.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Robert|2020|p=2}}</ref> The process of making a decision is done through a [[Motion (parliamentary procedure)|motion]], which is a proposal to do something. The formal steps in handling a motion are the making of a motion, having a second, stating the motion, having [[Debate (parliamentary procedure)|debate]] on the motion, putting the motion to a [[vote]], and announcing the results of the vote. Action could be taken informally without going through these steps by using [[unanimous consent]].<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Robert|2020|p=49}}</ref> When making a choice, the basic principle of decision is [[Majority#Majority vote|majority vote]]. In situations when more than majority vote is required, the requirement could include a [[Supermajority#Two-thirds vote|two-thirds vote]], [[previous notice]], or a vote of a [[Supermajority#Majority of the entire membership|majority of the entire membership]].

==== Motions ====
The book provides details about [[main motion]]s including the motion to [[Ratification|ratify]]. In addition, the book [[list of motions|lists]] other motions and provides details (including explanations, forms, and examples) on these motions which include:
* [[Subsidiary motion]]s – [[postpone indefinitely]], [[Amend (motion)|amend]], [[Commit (motion)|commit or refer]], [[postpone to a certain time]], [[limit or extend limits of debate]], [[previous question]], and [[Table (parliamentary procedure)|lay on the table]]
* [[Privileged motion]]s – [[call for the orders of the day]], [[raise a question of privilege]], [[Recess (motion)|recess]], [[Adjourn (motion)|adjourn]], and [[fix the time to which to adjourn]]
* [[Incidental motion]]s – [[point of order]], [[Appeal (motion)|appeal]], [[Suspension of the rules|suspend the rules]], [[objection to the consideration of a question]], [[division of a question]], [[consideration by paragraph or seriatim]], [[motions relating to methods of voting and the polls]], [[motions relating to nominations]], [[request to be excused from a duty]], and [[requests and inquiries]] ([[Requests and inquiries#Parliamentary_inquiry|parliamentary inquiry]], [[Request for information (parliamentary procedure)|request for information]], [[Request for permission to withdraw or modify a motion|request for permission (or leave) to withdraw or modify a motion]], [[request to read papers]], and [[request for any other privilege]])
* [[Motion that brings a question again before the assembly|Motions that bring a question again before an assembly]] – [[Table (parliamentary procedure)|take from the table]], [[Rescind or amend something previously adopted|rescind/amend something previously adopted]], [[discharge a committee]], and [[Reconsideration of a motion|reconsider]]

Details for each motion include its purpose, when it could be made, if it is debatable, if it is amendable, the vote required for adoption, and if it could be reconsidered. The "order of precedence", or rank, of the motions is also described in detail.

==== Various topics ====
The second half of the book covers various topics in detail. Brief summaries of these topics are as follows:

Depending on the situation, motions could be [[Renewal (parliamentary procedure)|renewed]], or made again. On the other hand, members should not use legitimate motions for [[Dilatory motions and tactics|dilatory]] and improper purposes to waste time.

A [[quorum]], or minimum number of members, is required to be present at a meeting in order to validly conduct business. The business that is to come up in a meeting could be listed in an [[order of business]] or an [[Agenda (meeting)|agenda]].

Each member could get a chance to speak through [[Recognition (parliamentary procedure)|assignment of the floor]] and [[Debate (parliamentary procedure)|debate]]. Debate may be limited in the number of speeches and time and should be respectful to others at all times. Voting takes place to decide the course of action and it could be done in a multitude of ways, such as [[Voting methods in deliberative assemblies|voice vote, standing vote, and ballot vote]].

Officers in an organization could be elected through the process of [[nomination]]s and [[election]]s. Each organization decides for itself which officers to have, but the minimum officers in a deliberative assembly are a presiding officer (usually "[[President (corporate title)|president]]" or "[[chairman]]") and a [[secretary]]. The secretary keeps the [[minutes]], or the official records of the proceedings, for each meeting. As part of their duties, the officers may have reports to give, such as a financial report given by the [[treasurer]]. In addition, an organization may have a [[Board of directors|board]] to handle business on behalf of the organization. Officers and boards only have such authority and powers that are given to them in the governing documents of the organization. There may also be [[committee]]s that are formed to assist the organization. The boards and committees may have reports to give as well.

People may gather in [[mass meeting]]s for a specific purpose or cause. One such purpose of the mass meetings could be for the intent of organizing a permanent society.

Each organization has its basic rules contained in its [[By-law|bylaws]]. The bylaws could describe the name of the organization and its purpose, the requirements to be a member or an officer, how meetings are scheduled, if there are boards or committees (or both), its [[parliamentary authority]], and how to amend the bylaws.

Representatives from constituent groups may gather as delegates in [[Convention (meeting)|conventions]] to conduct business on behalf of the organization. Conventions may consist of several meetings and may last for several days or more on an annual basis or other such infrequent interval.

If members do not act according to the organization's rules, they could be subject to [[disciplinary procedures]]. Such action could range from [[censure]] to the extreme of expulsion from the organization. Officers could be disciplined by removal from office.

==== Charts, tables, and lists ====
The tinted pages (pages marked by a gray band along the outer edge) in the rear of the book contain the following charts, tables, and lists: (1) "Chart for Determining When Each Subsidiary or Privileged Motion Is In Order", (2) "Table of Rules Relating to Motions", (3) "Sample Forms Used in Making Motions", (4) and (5) "Motions and Parliamentary Steps", (6) "Motions Which Require a Two-Thirds Vote", (7) "Motions Whose Reconsideration Is Prohibited Or Limited", and (8) "Table of Rules for Counting Election Ballots".<ref>{{Harvnb|Robert|2020|p=xxi}}</ref>

=== Additional information related to current edition ===
In addition to containing a summary of basic points from the current (12th) edition of ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'' (RONR), the following contents are unique to the current (3rd) edition of ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief'' (RONRIB): an example of an agenda, additional sample dialogues, frequently asked questions, an example of a call of a meeting, an example of a memorandum listing the [[order of business]], and the following tables: (A) "Handling Motions as chair", (B) "When Chair Stands and Sits", (C) "Conducting a Meeting as chair", (D) "Table of Rules Relating to Motions", and (E) "Words to Use as a Member".<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Robert III|first=Henry M.|title=Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief|publisher=PublicAffairs|year=2020|isbn=978-1-5417-9770-3|edition=3rd|location=New York|page=vii|display-authors=etal}}</ref>

The Robert's Rules Association has also made the Eleventh Edition available in CD-ROM format (designed for installation on Windows PCs) through American Legal Publishing. The CD contains the current editions of ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'' and ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief'' as well as a "Timekeeper's Guide", "[[Teller (elections)|Teller]]'s Report", "Sample Rules for Electronic Meetings", various forms, and resources for "Ballot Voting and Understanding [[Second-degree amendment|Secondary Amendments]]".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Books|url=https://robertsrules.com/books/|access-date=2020-09-07|publisher=The Robert's Rules Association}}</ref>

For the first time, an e-book version of the current Twelfth Edition was released by the Robert's Rules Association. Any copy of ''Robert's Rules of Order'' that is downloaded online is likely an older edition (1915 or earlier) that is available in the [[public domain]].

Translations of any edition of Robert's Rules of Order into other languages have not been published by the Robert's Rules Association.<ref>On the [https://robertsrules.com/ official website], there is no mention of translated versions.</ref> Any translated copy of Robert's Rules of Order done by a third party may not accurately reflect the correct meaning in the target language.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://jordanrussiacenter.org/event-recaps/oleg-kharkhordin-tackles-rules-order-russian-society/#.VosavrYrLMr|title = Oleg Kharkhordin speaks on rules of order in Russian society|date = October 22, 2014|access-date = 2016-01-04|publisher = NYU Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia|last = Kostrioukova|first = Anastassia|archive-date = 2015-12-28|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151228145330/http://jordanrussiacenter.org/event-recaps/oleg-kharkhordin-tackles-rules-order-russian-society/#.VosavrYrLMr|url-status = dead}}</ref>

=== Changes between editions ===
The following table lists some of the changes that were made between the editions of Robert's Rules of Order. The numbered pages may not correspond to the total number of pages in the edition due to additional material in the [[preface]], introduction, and other miscellaneous pages that were not included in the numbering system.
{| class="wikitable"
!Edition (year)
!Numbered pages
!Partial list of changes from previous edition
|-
|1st (1876)
|176
|Original edition
|-
|2nd (1876)
|192
|
* Added "Part III: Miscellaneous" (the 1st Edition only had Parts I and II)
* Revised Table of Rules and moved it from back of book to front of book
|-
|3rd (1893)
|218
|
* Motion to lie on the table was changed to "lay on the table"
* [[Amend (motion)#Filling blanks|Filling blanks]] was moved from "Miscellaneous motions" to under "Motion to Amend"
* Added motion to rescind
|-
|'''4th (1915)'''
|'''323'''
|"Completely reworked and 75 percent enlarged by original author"<ref name=":2" />
* Significant reorganization of the book (Part III combined into Part II and portions of Part II combined into Part I)
* Added motion to recess
* Added many of the incidental motions
|-
|5th (1943)
|326
|
* Incorporated only in-page changes planned by General Robert before his death
* Expanded index
|-
|6th (1951)
|326
|
* Added "Principles Underlying Parliamentary Law"
* Added "The Parliamentarian"
* Added that notice for a special meeting should state its purpose
* Added suggested wording for bylaws with regard to the annual meeting, officer terms, and [[nominating committee]]
|-
|'''7th (1970)'''
|'''594'''
|"Enlarged more than twofold and totally recast to be made self-explanatory"<ref name=":2" />
* Complete reworking of the book in order to maintain copyright<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/20/books/review/Donadio-t.html?ref=books|work = The New York Times|first = Rachel|last = Donadio|title = Point of Order|date = May 20, 2007|access-date = 2018-05-03}}</ref>
* Main divisions of the book changed from "Articles" to "Chapters"
* Presented natural order of motions (from lowest to highest rank)
* Significant expansion of explanation of motions with examples
* Added topics including "agenda" and "executive session"
* Added tinted pages of charts and tables
* Omitted most references to Congress
|-
|8th (1981)
|594
|
* Recognized that a board is a form of deliberative assembly (unlike a committee)
* Clarified rule prohibiting interruption of voting
* Clarified motions of previous question and lay on the table
|-
|9th (1990)
|706
|
* Reinserted hints to inexperienced presiding officers (this section was removed from the 7th Edition)
* Added some principles of interpretation of bylaws and other documents
* Recognized that copies of minutes and agenda may be submitted in advance
|-
|10th (2000)
|704
|
* Re-formatted book, added line numbers, and moved tinted pages from middle of book to end of book (and changed the tint from the color of the entire page to a gray band along the outer edge of the page)
* Removed some references to being "legal" (parliamentary law is not a court of law)
* Recognized alternative forms of "chairman" ("chair" or "chairperson")
* Recognized customs
* Expanded explanation of the point of order and its timeliness including when there is a breach of a continuing nature
* Recognized existence of the internet and possible electronic meetings
|-
|11th (2011)
|716
|"Significantly re-edited with expanded and updated treatment of many topics"<ref name=":2" />
* A new subsection on electronic meetings
* Recognized that notice may be sent by electronic communication such as e-mail
* More fully explained rules for counting ballots and resolving election disputes
* Added definition for a member "in [[good standing]]"
* A thorough revision of the chapter on disciplinary procedures
* Removed more references to being "legal" (parliamentary law is not a court of law)
* Re-formatted index (which became more compact)
|-
|'''12th (2020)'''
|'''714'''
|
* Margins changed to section and paragraph numbers instead of line numbers
* Clarifications on motions
* Clarification on procedures for approval of minutes
* New provisions regarding debate on nominations
* Addition of "Sample Rules for Electronic Meetings"
* Expanded appendix of charts, tables and lists
|}

Generally, a fuller list and more details of the changes are found in the preface of each edition. A detailed list of changes for the current (12th) edition is provided on the website maintained by the Robert's Rules Association.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Newly Revised 12th Edition; 'View Key Section Changes'|url=https://robertsrules.com/books/newly-revised-12th-edition/|access-date=2020-09-07|publisher=The Robert's Rules Association}}</ref> All the changes were a result of questions and comments received from users.

=== Rule explanations ===
Starting in the period between the Tenth Edition and the Eleventh Edition, the authors released official interpretations of rules in the book onto the website maintained by the Robert's Rules Association.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|title=Official Interpretations|url=https://robertsrules.com/official-interpretations/|access-date=2020-09-07|publisher=The Robert's Rules Association}}</ref> The interpretations from that period were later incorporated into the Eleventh Edition.<ref name=":10" />

In addition, the authors addressed common misunderstandings of the rules coming from frequently asked questions.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|title=FAQs|url=https://robertsrules.com/frequently-asked-questions/|access-date=2020-09-07|publisher=The Robert's Rules Association}}</ref> Some of the misunderstandings involve: when the president can vote, whether [[Ex officio member|ex-officio members]] can vote, the definition of [[majority]], how [[abstention]]s affect the vote, a "[[friendly amendment]]", "calling the question", "tabling" a motion, getting items on the agenda, and the contents of minutes. While these misunderstandings are of the rules in the current edition of ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'', the organization may be governed by other rules which supersede these "default" rules.<ref name=":11" />

The official interpretations and addressed common misunderstandings were a result of questions posted in the Question & Answer Forum at The Robert's Rules Association website.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=RONR Q&A Forum|url=https://robertsrules.com/qa-forum/|access-date=2020-09-07|publisher=The Robert's Rules Association}}</ref> This forum is actively [[Internet forum#Moderators|moderated]] by members of the authorship team.

== Law-making bodies ==
Generally, ''Robert's Rules of Order'' is designed for [[Voluntary association|ordinary societies]]. However, law-making bodies at the local level (such as a city council or a [[county commission]]) function similarly to boards of societies.<ref>{{Harvnb|Robert|2020|p=8}}</ref> The book has found application to such bodies. Such bodies are also subject to [[open meeting laws]] (Sunshine laws) and other applicable laws, all of which supersede any conflicting provisions in the book.

On the other hand, legislative bodies at the state or national level have their own well-defined set of rules (such as ''[[Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure]]''). However, a survey found that four state legislative chambers in the United States still use ''Robert's Rules of Order''.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/masons-manual-for-legislative-bodies.aspx|title = Mason's Manual for Legislative Bodies|access-date = 2015-09-17|publisher = National Conference of State Legislatures|archive-date = 2020-11-29|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201129233227/https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/masons-manual-for-legislative-bodies.aspx|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Parliamentary Authority |url=https://www.ncsl.org/documents/legismgt/ILP/99Tab9Pt3.pdf |website=NCSL |access-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610020011/https://www.ncsl.org/documents/legismgt/ILP/99Tab9Pt3.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Corporations==
{{see|Parliamentary procedure in the corporate world}}
''Robert's Rules of Order'' is based on each member of a group having equal weight as expressed by vote.<ref>{{Harvnb|Robert|2020|p=1}}</ref> This book has found application in the corporate world, such as in [[shareholder]] meetings and in board of director meetings.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.jimslaughter.com/Corporate-Meetings-and-Parliamentary-Procedure.cfm|title = Corporate Meetings and Parliamentary Procedure|access-date = 2016-01-04|last = Slaughter|first = Jim |quote=Updated from and reprinted with permission from 'Better, More Legal Corporate Meetings' in the June/July 1998 ''N.C. Business Lawyer''.}}</ref> However, the rules have to be modified to account for when some individuals within the group have more power than others.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

== Parliamentarians ==
A [[Parliamentarian (consultant)|parliamentarian]] is an expert on [[parliamentary procedure]]. To be effective consultants for the organizations they work for, parliamentarians are expected to be knowledgeable on ''Robert's Rules of Order''.<ref>{{Cite book|title = The Parliamentarian of Tomorrow|last = Bierbaum|first = Gene |publisher = Xlibris Corporation|year = 2010|isbn = 978-1-4535-4792-2|page= 23|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=A66bDt_A1DMC&q=parliamentarian%20of%20tomorrow&pg=PA23}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|certain=yes|date=December 2017}}

The [[National Association of Parliamentarians]] (NAP) is the largest non-profit association of parliamentarians in the world. This organization bases its opinions and instruction upon ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'' (12th ed.).<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.parliamentarians.org/about/parliamentary-basics/|publisher = National Association of Parliamentarians|title = Parliamentary Basics|access-date = 2015-09-18|archive-date = 2015-08-25|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150825021802/http://www.parliamentarians.org/about/parliamentary-basics/|url-status = dead}}</ref> Membership in this organization requires passing an exam which is based on the first half of the concise guide, ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief'' (3rd ed.).<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.parliamentarians.org/applyjoin/applications/|publisher = National Association of Parliamentarians|title = How to Apply|access-date = 2015-09-18|archive-date = 2015-09-14|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150914070914/http://www.parliamentarians.org/applyjoin/applications/|url-status = dead}}</ref>

The [[American Institute of Parliamentarians]] is another non-profit association of parliamentarians. This organization stresses proficiency and familiarity with a variety of [[Parliamentary authority|parliamentary authorities]], although it states on its website that "''Robert's Rules of Order'' is the most frequently used parliamentary authority".<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://aipparl.org/site/education/become-a-parliamentarian/|title = Become a Parliamentarian |publisher=American Institute of Parliamentarians|access-date = 2015-09-18|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160219163445/http://aipparl.org/site/education/become-a-parliamentarian/|archive-date = 2016-02-19}}</ref> The website also states that it "is the premier manual on parliamentary authority" and "a 'must-have' text for every parliamentarian".<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://aipparl.org/site/recommended-reading/|title = Recommended Reading |publisher=American Institute of Parliamentarians|access-date = 2015-11-12|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023303/http://aipparl.org/site/recommended-reading/|archive-date = 2015-11-17}}</ref>

== Youth organizations ==
Youth organizations, such as [[Business Professionals of America|Business Professionals of America (BPA)]], [[Family, Career and Community Leaders of America|Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)]], [[FBLA-PBL|Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL)]], [[HOSA (organization)|HOSA-Future Health Professionals]], the [[National FFA Organization]], [[SkillsUSA]], and the [[Technology Student Association]] (TSA), sponsor parliamentary procedure competitions (such as [[Parli Pro]]) as part of their programs for their student members. These competitions are based on ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised''. The [[National Association of Parliamentarians]] have partnered with some of these organizations.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.parliamentarians.org/about/youth-partnerships/|publisher = National Association of Parliamentarians|title = Youth Partnerships|access-date = 2015-11-30|archive-date = 2015-12-02|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151202140726/http://www.parliamentarians.org/about/youth-partnerships/|url-status = dead}}</ref>

''Robert's Rules of Order'' are used in [[Congressional Debate]] (also referred to as [[Student congress|Student Congress]]), an event put on by the [[National Speech and Debate Association|National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA)]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/High-School-Unified-Manual-2017-2018.pdf|title=NSDA HS Manual|publisher=National Speech and Debate Association}}</ref>

''Robert's Rules of Order'' is also used during [[American Legion]] and [[American Legion Auxiliary]] [[Boys/Girls State]] programs and in [[Model United Nations]] conferences. While the chair of each committee in a Model United Nations conference may sometimes deviate from the written rules for educational purposes, the format of the rules in the specific committees is mostly based on ''Robert's Rules of Order''.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un/how-to-participate/model-un-preparation/rules-of-procedure|title = Rules of Procedure (Model UN Preparation)|access-date = 2015-12-02|publisher = United Nations Association of the United States of America}}</ref> Another program in which ''Robert's Rules of Order'' may be used is [[Model Congress]], although the rules in these programs may more closely resemble those in the legislative assemblies that the programs simulate.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.actaa.net/Resources/Documents/2015%20Revised%20Student%20Congress%20Bylaws.docx|title = 2015 Revised Student Congress Bylaws|access-date = 2016-01-04|publisher = Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.shelburnenews.com/2015/12/22/cvu-goes-to-princeton-model-congress/|title = CVU goes to Princeton Model Congress|date = December 22, 2015|access-date = 2016-01-04|website = Shelburne News |last = Ramirez-Richer|first = Emma}}</ref>

''Robert's Rules of Order'' are also used during [[National Association of College and University Residence Halls|National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH)]] [[Residence hall association|Residence]] Hall Association meetings, regional conferences, and national conferences.{{cn|date=July 2023}}<!--Not a reliable source: <ref>{{Cite web |title=Central Atlantic Policy Book |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ASPqXSMqGtL4KyDlkwwjY1ERYC1TxzvDWdstjgiQT6M/edit?usp=embed_facebook |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Google Docs |language=en}}</ref>-->

== Alternative rules for organizations ==
=== Other parliamentary authorities ===
Parliamentarians have estimated that about 85 to 95 percent of organizations in the United States use ''Robert's Rules of Order''.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":14" /><ref name="Notes and Comments"/> The remaining percentage of organizations use other books on meeting procedures. Notable examples of such books on [[parliamentary authority]] include ''[[Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure]]'', and ''[[Riddick's Rules of Procedure]]''.<ref name=":13" /> These books along with ''Robert's Rules of Order'' share the general idea of rule of the majority with respect for the minority. A difference may be a "simplification" of the rules. Less popular choices include Atwood's ''Rules for Meetings''<ref>{{cite book |publisher=Atwood Corp |location=[[Melrose, Massachusetts]] |year=1956 |pages=331 |oclc=722305 |title=Rules for Meetings |last=Atwood |first=Roswell Levi}}</ref> and ''Democratic Rules of Order''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Democratic Rules of Order: Easy-to-Use Rules for Meetings of Any Size |year=2019 |edition=10th |author1=Peg Francis |author2=Fred Francis |publisher=New Society Publishers |pages=104 |isbn=978-0865719064 }}</ref>

=== Consensus decision-making ===
In modern parliamentary procedure, the usual practice is having a proposal first, then discussion on this proposal with any modifications to it, and finally a vote on it, with majority vote deciding the issue if there are any disagreements. An alternative to this process is [[consensus decision-making]]. In this alternative, discussion of potential proposals is held first, followed by the framing of a proposal, and then modifying it until the group reaches a consensus, when there is no longer any disagreement.

As a response to this alternative, the authors of ''Robert's Rules of Order'' stated their belief in using debate and majority vote as part of the process in making decisions for the group.<ref>{{Harvard citation no brackets|Robert|2020|p=xlviii}}: "Robert saw, on the other hand, that the evolution of majority vote in tandem with lucid and clarifying debate—resulting in a decision representing the view of the deliberate majority—far more clearly ferrets out and demonstrates the will of an assembly."</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Parliamentary procedure]]
* [[Morin code]]
== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Primary sources ===
{{refbegin|}}
* {{Cite book|last=Robert|first=Henry M.|title=Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised|date=2020|publisher=PublicAffairs|isbn=978-1-5417-3669-6|editor-last=Robert|editor-first=Sarah Corbin|edition=12th|location=New York, NY|oclc=720599411}}
* {{Cite web|title=The Robert's Rules Association|url=https://robertsrules.com/|website=robertsrules.com|access-date=2020-09-07}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Wikisource}}
* [http://www.robertsrules.com/ The Robert's Rules Association (robertsrules.com)] Site maintained by the Robert's Rules Association

'''Sites providing full text of older editions (from public domain)'''
The following sites are not maintained by the Robert's Rules Association and have no relation to The Robert's Rules Association:
* [http://www.robertsrules.org/rror--00.htm robertsrules.org] Full text of 1915 (4th) ed. (ROR) – This site is not related to the official site despite a similar domain name.
* [http://www.rulesonline.com rulesonline.com] Full text of 1915 (4th) ed. (ROR)
* [https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/9097 Project Gutenberg] Full text of 1876 (1st) ed. (original edition)
* {{librivox book | title=Robert's Rules of Order}} 1876 (1st) ed. (original edition)

{{Parliamentary Procedure}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robert's Rules Of Order}}
[[Category:Meetings]]
[[Category:Group processes]]
[[Category:Group decision-making]]
[[Category:Parliamentary procedure]]
[[Category:Parliamentary authority]]
[[Category:1876 non-fiction books]]