Brainteasers Archive

Difficulty 1

Should the chair say “Nay” or “No” for negative votes?

“No” is used in voice votes. RONR (12th ed.): 4:37). The term “Nay” only appears occasionally in roll-call votes. RONR (12th ed.): 45:47.

If a member thinks that the rules of the assembly are being violated, what Incidental motion is used to call upon the chair for a ruling and an enforcement of the regular rules, according to Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition)?

View Answer

A Point of Order. RONR (12th ed.) 23.

Using most any parliamentary authority, including Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition), what motion is used to close a meeting?

View Answer

Adjourn. RONR (12th ed.) 21.

In the 11th Edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, the motion "Point of Information" was given a new, preferred name. What is it?

View Answer

Request for Information. RONR (12th ed.) 33:6.

According to Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition), by what motion can a member require the assembly to conform to its agenda, program or order of business, or to take up a general or special order that is due to come up at the time?

View Answer

Call for the Orders of the Day. RONR (12th ed.) 18:1.

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition) gives the maker of a motion preference over other members in speaking to his motion first. Does the maker of the motion also have a right to speak last?

View Answer

No. The maker has no rights in speaking other than the right to speak first to the motion. RONR (12th ed.) 3:33.

According to Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition), what is the name of a motion that "seeks to obstruct or thwart the will of the assembly as clearly indicated by the existing parliamentary situation"?

View Answer

A dilatory motion. RONR (12th ed.) 39:1.

If your parliamentary authority is Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition), what is the name of the motion that allows a short intermission in the assembly's proceedings, commonly of only a few minutes, which does not close the meeting and after which business will immediately be resumed at exactly the point where it was interrupted?

View Answer

Recess. RONR (12th ed.) 20:1.

According to Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition), what is the title of the first article in basic bylaws?

View Answer

Name. RONR (12th ed.) 56:17.

An ordinary society proceeds through different headings in the order of business, such as "Reading and Approval of Minutes." One heading is often incorrectly referred to as "Old Business" and refers to questions that have come over from the previous meeting. According to Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition), what is the correct title for this part of the order of business?

View Answer

"Unfinished Business" or "Unfinished Business and General Orders." RONR (12th ed.) 41:21-24.

What is the name of the form of amendment that seeks to strike out an entire paragraph, section, or article--or a complete main motion or resolution--and insert a different paragraph or other unit in its place, according to Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition)?

View Answer

A "substitute." RONR (12th ed.) 12:69.

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