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Brainteaser Archive 2008 |
January 15, 2008 (Difficulty level = 5)
Question: If your parliamentary Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th Edition) is your parliamentary authority (and there are no other applicable rules). If a member desires to give notice of a motion that requires previous notice, how does he do so?
Answer: "In such a case, the member desiring to give the notice writes a letter to the secretary alone, requesting that the notice be sent with the call of the next meeting; and the secretary should then do this at the expense of the organization." RONR (10th Ed.) § 10 (p. 119).
March 1, 2008 (Difficulty level = 4)
Question: If your parliamentary authority is Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th Edition), is it permissible for a board to take a vote by electronic mail (such as by e-mail)?
Answer: "It is a fundamental principle of parliamentary law that the right to vote is limited to the members of an organization who are actually present at the time the vote is taken in a legal meeting . . . . Exceptions to this rule must be expressly stated in the bylaws." RONR (10th Ed.) § 45 (p. 408-409).
May 1, 2008 (Difficulty level = 4)
Question: The new officers of your organization are to take office on May 1, following an installation ceremony. Due to bad weather, the meeting and installation ceremony was not held. Your parliamentary authority is Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th Edition). What must be done for the new officer to assume office?
Answer: Nothing. "If a formal installation ceremony is prescribed, failure to hold it does not affect the time at which the new officers assume office.." RONR (10th Ed.) § 46 (p. 430).
June 1, 2008 (Difficulty level = 5)
Question: Under Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th Edition), if there are multiple qualified motions to close debate (for the Previous Question), in what order are these different proposals voted upon?
Answer: "The vote is taken first on the motion that would order the Previous Question on the largest number of motion; if this fails, then on the next smaller number, and so on, until one is adopted (by a two-thirds vote). RONR (10th Ed.) § 16 (p. 192).
July 1, 2008 (Difficulty level = 4)
Question: Your organization wishes to restate its support of a position previously taken. In such a situation, if your parliamentary authority is Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th Edition), is it appropriate for the organization to "reaffirm" an earlier resolution?
Answer: "Motions to 'reaffirm' a position previously taken by adopting a motion or resolution are not in order. Such a motion serves no useful purpose because the original motion is still in effect; also, possible attempts to amend a motion to reaffirm would come into conflict with the rules for the motion to Amend Something Previously Adopted (35); and if such a motion to reaffirm failed, if would create an ambiguous situation." RONR (10th Ed.) § 10 (p. 100).
August 1, 2008 (Difficulty level = 3)
Question: If your parliamentary authority is Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th Edition), is it true that motions from committees "don't require a second"?
Answer: No. Actually, a main motion from a committee requires a second just like any other. The difference is that by coming from a committee, the motion already carries a second (or it wouldn't have made it out of the committee). As a result, a more proper phrase would be that motions from committees don't require an additional second from the floor. A committee composed of only one member would need a second from the floor. RONR (10th Ed.) § 3 (p. 78).
November 1, 2008 (Difficulty level = 5)
Question: If your parliamentary authority is Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th Edition), what is the combination of two existing societies called where each organization discontinues their independent existence, and a new entity is formed that includes the memberships of both organizations?
Answer: Consolidation. RONR (10th Ed.) § 55 (p. 544).
December 1, 2008 (Difficulty level = 3)
Question: When does Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th Edition) recommend using the term "Old Business"?
Answer: Never. "The expression 'old business' should be avoided, since it may incorrectly suggest the further consideration of matters that have been finally disposed of. RONR (10th Ed.) § 41 (p. 346).