Robert's Rules of Order was originally written by a West Point educated United States Army Officer named Henry Robert (1837-1923). He wrote the first edition during 1874 and 1875. He saw a need for order at meetings after he was asked to preside at a meeting and he didn't know how to conduct it. Today many organizations operate under these rules and state laws enforce them. Robert's Rules of Order follow Parliamentary Procedure which dates back to Virginia's House of Burgesses which was founded in 1619.
Thomas Jefferson wrote the first book about parliamentary procedure in 1801. The Senate did not have any procedure for conducting business and Jefferson saw that this power could be abused. There were other manuals that came on the scene after Jefferson but all the confusion stopped with Henry Robert's book.
When associations and private organizations operate under Robert's Rules of Order, they are operating within the democratic principles of the United States. When officers of any organization violate the "Rules," it only leads to anarchy and will in time destroy the organization. Most members of organizations are not aware of what the basic rules of "Robert's Rules of Order" entail. This organization will operate under these rules and we want all members to be aware of the basic principles. Attached to this web page are "The Basics" copied directly from the book. We hope you will read these basic rules before you become a member so you will understand your rights. No member of this organization will be permitted to violate these rules. Any member, and mainly officers who try to impose their will without proper parliamentary procedure, will be charged with an offense against the organization and will be subject to expulsion after a fair trial of the members of the association. No member can be expelled from the corporation without first being charged with an offense and have a chance to defend oneself. At least a 14 day notice must be given to the offender before a trial is set.
Please click on the link below to see the on-line version of
Robert's Rules of Order
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