Understanding the requirements and procedures for Robert’s Rules of Order suspension of rules is essential to the continued success of any organization. This motion allows an assembly to temporarily suspend rules that it would normally have to follow. Not all rules may be suspended, though.
What Is Robert’s Rules of Order Suspension of Rules?
A motion to suspend rules is to waive an assembly rule temporarily. It requires a second for adoption and is not open to debate or amendments. Moreover, it can’t be reconsidered.
A two-thirds vote is necessary to suspend a parliamentary order or order of business. If an assembly wishes to suspend an ordinary standing rule of the society, it must have a majority vote. For non-controversial motions, the assembly may vote by general or unanimous consent.
Once adopted, the rules will be temporarily suspended. This enables members to act contrary to the usual rules.
The Use of Robert’s Rules on Motion to Suspend Rules
These are the primary uses of this motion:
- To address a specific item of business outside of the usual agenda order
- To set aside a procedural or ordinary standing rule temporarily
For example, an assembly may want to jump to an item of business without following the agenda order or temporarily waive the rules of debate to go straight to a vote. In such cases, the assembly must approve a motion to suspend the rules.
To use this motion, a member says: “I move to suspend the rules and…” followed by what they wish to do. Another member must then second this motion. The suspension only applies to the current meeting and does not carry over to the next.
Exceptions to the Rule
It is important to note that not all rules are subject to suspension. The rules that an assembly may not suspend include the following:
- Bylaws
- Corporate charter
- Fundamental parliamentary law principles
- Rules protecting individual rights
- Rules protecting absent members
The Bottom Line
Robert’s Rules of Order suspension of rules enables members to temporarily ignore rules to allow for better or more efficient proceedings. All organization members must know how suspensions work and how to make motions for them.
