The Importance of Rules in Society

Importance of Rules in Society

• Rules are crucial for any society, ensuring the rights of the majority, minority, individuals, absentees, and all members are considered in decision-making.

Deliberative Assemblies

• Deliberative assemblies are groups meeting to take action, emphasizing free speech and member participation with equal weight.
• Each member's vote and responsibility holds value during deliberation.
• Decisions do not signify member withdrawal.

Assembly Types

• Assembly: The body of members.
• Meeting: Event where the assembly comes together.
• Session: Complete courses of an assembly (multiple meetings possible).
• Mass Meeting: Unorganized groups, open to all, often for a single objective.
• Deliberative Assembly w/o Rules: Follows general parliamentary law/common parliamentary law.
• Local Assembly (Organized Society): Members of a larger organization, normally separate sessions (recording voting members).
• Convention: Delegate assembly to make decisions affecting a larger group (often for legislation/association creation).
• Legislative Body: Example - Congress, consisting of two houses (often monthly sessions).
• Board: Smaller assemblies; powers may be delegated, recommendations versus motions.
• Committees: Recommendations, Boards: Motions.

Kinds of Rules

• Corporate Charter: Legal instrument defining society's name, objective and incorporation information (no suspending).
• Constitution/Bylaws: Describes society's characteristics, functions, and rules (cannot be changed/suspended without notice).
• Special Rules of Order: Formally adopted parliamentary procedure rules.
• Standing Rules: Administrative rules; easily adopted or changed.
• Custom: Habit treated as a rule.

Bylaws Structure

• Bylaws should include:
  • Name
  • Purpose
  • Members (classes, eligibility, fees, dues)
  • Officers (rank, duties, terms, meetings, removal)
  • Meetings (frequency, special meetings, quorum)
  • Executive Board (composition, powers)
  • Committees (ex officio presidency)
  • Parliamentary Authority (bylaws exceptions, NOT standing rules)
  • Bylaw Amendment (notice, ⅔ vote required).

Interpreting Bylaws

• Each organization interprets its own bylaws.
• Amendments to existing bylaws adhere to bylaws amendment guidelines, and follow affirmative motion to amend rules.

Rules of Precedence

• Corporate Charter
• Constitution
• Bylaws
• Special Rules of Order
• Rules of Order
• Standing Rules

Additional Vocabulary

• Decorum: Proper behavior
• Deliberate: Discuss reasons
• Deliberative Assembly: Autonomous groups acting for an organization.

Deliberation Decision-Making

• Majority Vote: Standard unless otherwise specified, especially in law.
• Quorum: Required for voting.
• ⅔ Vote: Common for decisions requiring more than a majority vote.

Differences between Corporate Charter and Bylaws

• Corporate Charter: Legal document for incorporation, including name and purpose.
• Bylaws: Detail organizational characteristics, functioning, and critical rules.

Types of Deliberative Assemblies

• Mass meeting
• Local assembly of an organized society
• Board
• Legislative body
• Convention

Governing Laws

• Deliberative assemblies are subject to laws of larger organizations as well as governmental laws.

General Assembly Decision-Making

• Decisions are typically made by members present at regular meetings.

Constitution and Bylaws Content

• Constitution and bylaws contain an organization's basic rules.

Parliamentary Authority

• If something is not explicitly mentioned in an organization's own rules, parliamentary law has no obligation to follow their established rules. (While it might still be useful to consider).

Local Chapter Bylaws

• Local chapter bylaws should establish a procedure for special meetings.