robert's rules of order
Proper Noun: * A specific parliamentary authority: "Robert's Rules of Order" is the short, common title for a manual of parliamentary procedure originally authored by Henry Martyn Robert. It provides a comprehensive set of rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings and decision-making processes for deliberative assemblies.
"Robert's Rules of Order" is used as a singular, proper noun to refer to the specific rulebook itself or to the system of rules it contains. It is often the standard reference for conducting formal meetings. * The chairperson announced that all debates would be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order. * Before the vote, a member raised a point of order, citing Robert's Rules of Order. * Our organization's bylaws require us to use Robert's Rules of Order for all official business.
- "Under Robert's Rules": A common shorthand used during meetings to invoke the authority of the manual.
- "Under Robert's Rules, I move to adjourn the meeting."
- Referring to a specific edition is common, as the book has been revised.
- The committee follows the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order.
- Parliamentary procedure (n): The broader body of rules and precedent for conducting meetings, of which Robert's Rules is one codification.
- Parliamentary authority (n): The specific rulebook (like Robert's Rules) adopted by an organization to govern its meetings.
- Parliamentary manual
- Rules of order
While "Robert's Rules of Order" is the full, formal title, in common usage it is often shortened simply to "Robert's Rules." It functions as a definitive guide, so it is sometimes used generically to mean "the correct parliamentary procedure," even if a different manual is technically being used.
- a book of rules for presiding over a meeting; written by Henry M. Martin in 1876 and subsequently updated through many editions