Editing Robert's Rules of Order (section)

=== 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>