HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.1 Review of Robert's Rules of Order & Brown Act
Page 1 of 2
STAFF REPORT
YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
DATE: September 26, 2018
TO: Honorable Chair and Commissioners
FROM:
Lisa McPherson, Recreation Manager
SUBJECT:
Review of Robert’s Rules of Order and Brown Act
Prepared by: Lisa McPherson, Recreation Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Advisory Committee will receive a report on the Robert’s Rules of Order and the
Brown Act pertaining to City Commissions and Advisory Committees.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Receive the Report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
DESCRIPTION:
The Deputy City Clerk, Mr. Walfred Solorzano, will review the Robert’s Rules of Order
and the Brown Act with the Youth Advisory Committee Members.
Robert’s Rules of Order are rules of conduct at public meetings, which allow everyone
to be heard and make decisions in an orderly process.
The Brown Act solely applies to City and County governmental bodies in California,
including Public Agencies, Boards, Commissions and Councils. The intent of the Brown
Act is to ensure that members of these governmental bodies conduct meetings, in which
meeting actions and deliberations be conducted openly.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Robert Rules of Order and Brown Act Training
7.1
Packet Pg. 7
Page 2 of 2
7.1
Packet Pg. 8
Robert’s Rules of Order and
Brown Act Training
Robert’s Rules of Order
Henry M. Robert wrote Robert’s Rules of Order, a presentation and discussion of Parliamentary
procedure.
Basic principles behind Robert’s Rules of Order:
• Someone has to facilitate or direct the discussion and keep order.
• All members of the group have the right to bring up ideas, discuss them, and come to a
conclusion.
• Members should come to an agreement about what to do.
• Members should understand the majority rules, but the rights of the minority are
always protected by assuring them the right to speak and to vote.
There are three main principles to Parliamentary procedure:
• Take up business one item at a time.
• Promote courtesy, justice and impartiality, and equality.
• The majority rules, but the rights of individual, minority, and absent members are
protected.
Order of Business
Chair calls the meeting to order.
Recording Secretary records start time and takes roll.
Agenda is followed.
Minutes from previous meeting are approved.
Making and Handling Motions Following Robert’s Rules
An item on the agenda is brought up and explained by the Chair.
Item is discussed.
1
7.1.a
Packet Pg. 9
At
t
a
c
h
m
e
n
t
:
1
.
R
o
b
e
r
t
R
u
l
e
s
o
f
O
r
d
e
r
a
n
d
B
r
o
w
n
A
c
t
T
r
a
i
n
i
n
g
(
R
e
v
i
e
w
o
f
R
o
b
e
r
t
’
s
R
u
l
e
s
o
f
O
r
d
e
r
a
n
d
B
r
o
w
n
A
c
t
)
Here are the eight steps required from start to finish , making a motion and getting the decision
of the committee. Each step is a required part of the process.
Step What to say
1. The member rises and addresses the chair. “Mr./Madam Chairman.”
2. The chair recognizes the member. “The chair recognizes Ms. Dublin.”
3. The member makes a motion. “I move to have a game night at the
Civic Center.”
4. Another member seconds the motion. “Second.”
5. The chair states the motion. “It is moved and seconded to have a
game night at the Civic Center. Are
you ready for the question?”
6. The members debate the motion. “The chair recognizes Ms. Dublin to
speak her motion. . . .”
7. The chair puts the question, “Those in favor of adopting
and the members vote. the motion to hold a game night at
the Civic Center, say ‘Aye.’ [pause]
Those opposed, say ‘No.’”
8. The chair announces the result of the vote. “The ayes have it, and the motion
carries. A game night will be held at
the Civic Center.”
Announcements
Adjournment – This meeting is now adjourned. Recording Secretary records end time.
The Brown Act
The Ralph M. Brown Act (the “Brown Act”) was enacted in 1967 to cover state agencies. Its
intent declares, “All meetings of the legislative body of a local agency shall be open and public,
and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the legislative body of a local
agency, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.” (Govt. Code 54953(a).
There are certain requirements that must be followed when meetings of legislative bodies of a
local agency take place:
Agenda must be posted 72 hours in advance of meeting in a public place where it can be
viewed 24 hours a day.
2
7.1.a
Packet Pg. 10
At
t
a
c
h
m
e
n
t
:
1
.
R
o
b
e
r
t
R
u
l
e
s
o
f
O
r
d
e
r
a
n
d
B
r
o
w
n
A
c
t
T
r
a
i
n
i
n
g
(
R
e
v
i
e
w
o
f
R
o
b
e
r
t
’
s
R
u
l
e
s
o
f
O
r
d
e
r
a
n
d
B
r
o
w
n
A
c
t
)
A quorum of members (a majority of the members) cannot gather and discuss any business of
the body outside of the publicly noticed meeting.
The meeting name, a regular meeting time, date and place, and cannot hold a Regular meeting
outside of that time, date and place, unless required advance notice is given for an adjourned
regular, special or emergency meeting.
The agenda must also have a “Public Comment” category on the agenda so the public may
address any item under the jurisdiction of the body, but not on the current agenda.
A record of the meeting and actions must be kept.
There are certain items on the agenda that can be heard in “Closed Session.” There is a specific
list of Safe Harbor categories to cover these items.
Robert’s Rules of Order and the Brown Act help the City’s City Council, Commissions and
Committee meetings run smoothly.
3
7.1.a
Packet Pg. 11
At
t
a
c
h
m
e
n
t
:
1
.
R
o
b
e
r
t
R
u
l
e
s
o
f
O
r
d
e
r
a
n
d
B
r
o
w
n
A
c
t
T
r
a
i
n
i
n
g
(
R
e
v
i
e
w
o
f
R
o
b
e
r
t
’
s
R
u
l
e
s
o
f
O
r
d
e
r
a
n
d
B
r
o
w
n
A
c
t
)