Must a chair formally call a meeting to order under Robert's Rules

Opening a Meeting: The Call to Order

The Short Answer

Yes — under Robert's Rules, a meeting must be formally called to order by the presiding officer (chair) to officially begin. Without this, the meeting has not formally commenced.

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The Proper Procedure

The chair opens the meeting by saying:

"The meeting will come to order."

This is the standard language, though similar phrases accomplish the same purpose.

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What Happens Next (Typical Order of Business)

After calling to order, the standard order of business proceeds:

1. Reading and approval of minutes
2. Reports of officers
3. Reports of committees
4. Special orders
5. Unfinished business
6. New business

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Key Points

• The chair is responsible for calling the meeting to order
• If the chair is absent, the vice-chair (or next ranking officer) calls the meeting to order
• Quorum must be present before conducting business
• The call to order establishes the official start time for the record

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In the Minutes

The secretary should record the time the meeting was called to order as part of the official minutes.