Questions & Answers

Real questions people have asked our AI Parliamentarian, lightly edited and anonymized. Have your own? Ask it here.

Can a parliamentarian make motions at a meeting

Asked September 2026

Can a parliamentarian make motions during a meeting?

What type of motion is a motion to create a blank

Asked September 2026

A motion to create a blank — what type of motion is it?

How does a committee make a motion or recommendation

Asked September 2026

How does a committee make a motion?

Previous notice requirement for a bylaw general revision when bylaws are silent

Asked September 2026

What is the previous notice requirement for a general revision of the bylaws if the current bylaws are silent on the matter?

Does scope of notice apply to a general revision of the bylaws

Asked September 2026

Does scope of notice apply to a general revision of the bylaws?

What motions can be approved by unanimous consent without a formal vote

Asked September 2026

What sort of motions can be approved "without objection" without an explicit vote?

Can a motion that violates Robert's Rules be dismissed or overturned

Asked September 2026

If a motion passes in violation of Robert's Rules, can that motion be dismissed or overturned?

Can different voting methods be used for different members on the same vote

Asked September 2026

Are inconsistent voting methods allowed for the same types of votes?

Can the chair unilaterally remove an advertised agenda item

Asked September 2026

Can the presiding officer of a deliberative body unilaterally remove an item that has already been advertised from the agenda?

What must the chair do if quorum is lost during a meeting

Asked September 2026

A quorum is present at the start of a session but members leave partway through. What is the chair's responsibility regarding further votes?

Can a non-voting visiting delegate speak before a vote

Asked September 2026

A visiting delegate without voting rights insists on speaking before a vote. What is the chair's correct response under standard parliamentary procedure?

What is postpone indefinitely and when should it be used

Asked September 2026

During a conference, a member moves to "postpone indefinitely" a controversial motion rather than debate it directly. What is the practical reason for this motion, and when is it i...

What is postpone indefinitely and when should it be used

Asked September 2026

During a conference, a member moves to "postpone indefinitely" a controversial motion rather than debate it directly. What is the practical reason for this motion, and when is it i...

Can members debate a motion before voting under Robert's Rules

Asked August 2026

Can we discuss a motion before we vote on it?

How to handle an appeal of the chair's decision as the presiding officer

Asked August 2026

Can you walk me through the appeal-of-the-chair's-decision process from the chair's perspective?

Can a board rescind a grievance resolution and refer it back to committee

Asked August 2026

Can a board amend or rescind a prior grievance resolution and refer the underlying grievance back to committee for further investigation and a new recommendation?

Can the subject of a grievance resolution move to rescind or amend it

Asked August 2026

Under Robert's Rules, can an officer who was the subject of a board's prior grievance resolution personally move to amend or rescind that resolution, or must the motion be made by...

Can a board use Robert's Rules to amend or rescind an inadequate grievance resolution

Asked August 2026

If a board-voted grievance resolution did not address or resolve the conduct complained of, can the board use Robert's Rules to amend or rescind that resolution and adopt a new gri...

How to appeal a board-voted grievance resolution under Robert's Rules

Asked August 2026

How does an officer appeal a board-voted grievance resolution when the resolution does not actually resolve the grievance?

Should a subsequent related motion be added as an addendum to prior minutes

Asked August 2026

If a motion is adopted at an executive board meeting that pertains to an item approved at a previous meeting, should it be recorded as an addendum to those prior minutes?