Changes in Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) 10th Edition

Compiled by Ann L. Homer CPP, PRP
Member, Educational Materials Division

Page Number Line Number Change
Inside front cover   Instructions on how to properly cite the book.
All pages   Lines numbers are printed on the pages themselves; marked every five (5) line numbers.
Between 644 and 645   Tinted pages are NOT tinted and are printed at the back of the book.
xlvii-xlviii No line numbers are printed on these pages The principles underlying parliamentary law have been expanded and the items below the bullets are new.
Throughout the book   Motions that conflict with law are not out of order.
1 12-14 New bullet item under deliberative assembly requiring the group to meet in a single room or area or under equivalent circumstances so that there is opportunity for simultaneous aural communication among all group members.
1 8-6 In addition to the new bullet mentioned above, wording in the other bullet items under deliberative assembly on page one have been revised and expanded.
2 footnote E-Mail is NOT recommended for deliberations but is allowable if provided for in the bylaws AND accompanied by special rules of order.
4, 106, 119, 244, 252, 297-298, 332   References to Federal, State, and Local laws restricted, wherever appropriate, to procedural rules.

The rule prohibiting rescission of a motion which is in the nature of a contract has been ELIMINATED. (This is because parliamentary procedure is concerned with the PROCESS by which a deliberative assembly arrives at a decision and not with the wisdom or legality of the decision itself..)

Reconsidering a contract is still in the purpose and effect is to place the assembly back in the position it was in before the motion to reconsider was made.

5

116-118

391

Lines 1-6 New provisions relating to the notice and call of meetings.
7

390-391

Lines 18-23

Line 25 (page 390) through line 10 (page 391)

The meaning of "majority of the entire membership" has been more clearly defined.
15 Lines 25-27 An organized society whose bylaws don't designate a parliamentary authority, may adopt one with the same vote required to adopt special rules of order (either previous notice and 2/3 vote or majority of membership).
15

529

Lines 27-31

Lines 11-16

An unorganized society with no bylaws or a mass meeting, may adopt a parliamentary authority by a majority vote.
17 Lines 4-18 Custom and its rank in governing documents is now included (1 - charter; 2 - constitution; 3 -bylaws; 4 - rules of order [a-special rules of order; b-parliamentary authority]; 5 - standing rules; 6 - custom)

Custom FALLS if in conflict with: special rule of order; standing rule; parliamentary authority.

Custom FALLS if it BECOMES in conflict with special rule of order; standing rule; parliamentary authority.

Custom si SUPERSEDED/SUSPENDED in any instance by a MAJORITY VOTE.

22 Lines 17-20 Variations on chair, chairman, and chairperson are now acceptable.
42-43 Line 31 (page 42) through line 1 (page 43) The exact wording of the chair when putting the question is the definitive wording for the minutes.
44 Lines 10-14 The preferred wording of the chair when putting the question has been changed to "Those in favor..." with "all in favor" or "as many as are in favor" shown as acceptable alternative forms.
80-81 Line 29 (page 80) through line 2 (page 81) The term "Stand at Ease" is defined.
83 footnote The difference in the effect of Adjourn and Recess.
87 Page 22-27 Regular business meetings may be scheduled by resolution.
90 Lines 5-9 Calculation of the number of days' notice required = all calendar days excluding the day of the meeting but including the day of the mailing.
90 Lines 16-19, footnote At a special meeting, only the business mentioned in the call and incidental main motions that relate to procedure without direct reference to a particular substantive item of business can be considered.
93-94 Line 29 (page 93) through line 5 (page 94) New subsection on Public Sessions has been added.
99-100 Line 33 (page 99) through line 9 (page 100) The propriety of main motions proposing that the organization REFRAIN from doing something is more fully explored.
117

366-369

Line 14-29 Preference in recognition and the giving of previous notice is consistent.
121 Line 2 The purpose of Postpone Indefinitely is explained under the title.
154 Lines 24-35 The term "Friendly Amendment" is defined.
168 Lines 16-19 The undesirability of having co-chairmen is clearly stated.
168-169 Line 33 (page 168) through Line 10 (page 169) Rules have been provided concerning the effect of a referral of a motion to a committee on the freedom of the committee (and the assembly itself) to deal with amendments to the motion which were acted upon by the assembly prior to referral. (Note also Parliamentary Law, page 99-100, example #9.)
189 Lines 21-22 The purpose of Previous Question is explained under the title.
201 Lines 26-27 The purpose of Lay on the Table is explained under the title.
204 Lines 2-5 The use of Lay on the Table for appropriate reasons is identified.
207-208 Line 10 (page 207) through line 22 (page 208) Misuses of Lay on the Table are defined.
207 Lines 17-21 Lay on the Table is NOT to be used to kill the pending motion without debate, but it CAN be used to set aside the pending question in order to bring up another motion which the majority considers more urgently important.
211 Line 2 The purpose of Call for the Orders of the Day is explained under the title.
233 Lines 5-7 Motion to adjourn earlier than scheduled time can be adopted by a MAJORITY vote.
234, 236 Line 28-34 (page 234)

Lines 6-9 (page 236)

Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn

- in a multi-meeting session, may set adjourned meeting only AFTER last scheduled meeting and may offer motion only at that meeting;

- adjourned meeting may be set for a TIME (not necessarily DATE) before the next regular meeting.

Establishes that the motion may not be used to set an additional meeting before an already-scheduled meeting within the same session.

244 Lines 4-26 The rules of such consequence that they cannot be suspended should be those whose violation is subject even to an untimely point of order.
244

332

Line 12-14

Line 19-24

The circumstances under which a motion that conflicts with something previously adopted (without having been cast in the form of a motion to Rescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted) is null and void have been somewhat restricted.
254 Lines 19-24 Motion to Suspend the Rules cannot be renewed, without unanimous consent, for the same purpose during the same meeting (recess) but can be made at the next regular meeting even if on the same day (adjourn).
254-255   Better examples of what cannot be suspended
255

269

Line 29

Line 11

Rules for suspending the rules to dispense with the established order of business.
257 Lines 8-11 Rules that have their application outside the context of a meeting CANNOT be suspended.
263

264

Lines 15-16 and 23;

line 6

Correction to the 9th edition on examples of divisible questions.

Also, the rules with respect to which motions can and cannot be divided have been clarified.

277-280 Request to Be Excused from a Duty is now a new, separate section.
281 Lines 6-7 Requests and Inquiries are all in order when another has the floor, if it requires immediate attention.
286 Lines 1-10 If someone objects to a request to modify a motion, the chair must determine whether an amendment equivalent to the requested modification is in order. If not, requires consideration of suspending the rules.
294, 298-299   Standard Descriptive Characteristic number 2 of the motion to Rescind and Amendment Something Previously Adopted has been restated (and an additional example has been provided) in order to more closely reflect the situations in which these motions are most frequently utilized and the manner in which they are most frequently stated.
297 The rules respecting amendment of motions for which previous notice has been given.
299 footnote A committee can use Discharge a Committee to discharge a subcommittee.
305 Line 4 A vote taken by ballot can be reconsidered if a member is willing to waive the secrecy of his/her ballot.
305 Lines 30-34 The rules establishing the time limits for making a motion to Reconsider in a session of more than one day has been modified to remove ambiguities and more accurately reflect the purpose of the rule.. (Refer back to page 236 as well)
307, 328-329 The rules relating to reconsideration of negative votes on the motions to: Commit or Refer; Postpone to a Certain Time; Limit or Extend Debate; Previous Question; and to Lay on the Table have been modified to give full effect to the rule that the motion to Reconsider cannot be applied to any motion which can be renewed.
318 Lines 15-30 Rules have been included for the proper treatment to be accorded a motion to Reconsider the vote on a subsidiary or incidental motion which is made after (or which is made before but not called before) the main motion to which such subsidiary or incidental motion adheres but has been temporarily (but not finally) disposed of.
323 Lines 17-22 When Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes is moved on the last day, but not the last meeting, of a session not scheduled to meet within a quarterly time interval, it may be called up at the last meeting of the session.
352 Lines 18-21 The proper use of Lay on the Table to individually lay items on the table as they arise.
360 Lines 24-27 A "majority of the membership" can amend an adopted agenda as well as 2/3 or unanimous consent.
360 Lines 29-30 The affirmative vote on adopting an agenda CANNOT be reconsidered.
367, 368, 369   The rules for preference in recognition to take into account the right to give previous notice of a motion.
370 Lines 26-29 Decision of the chair in assigning the floor can be appealed, except in the case of a mass meeting.
377 Lines 1-3 The making of a secondary motion is NOT speaking in debate as long as no comment is made on the then-pending question.
377 footnote A member who has exhausted the right to speak in debate can be given limited recognition to move a referral or amendment.
390-391 Line 25 (page 390) through line 18 (page 391) The term "majority of the entire membership" has been more clearly and fully defined.
394 Lines 24-25 The fact that members cannot be compelled to abstain from voting on the grounds of personal interest, even though they should abstain, is more clearly stated.
395 Lines 9-12 Time frame is outlined as to when a member can change his/her vote.
397-398 Lines 25-35 (page 397)

Lines 1-7 (page 398)

Procedures are outlined for the proper use of voting cards.
399-400 Line 34 (page 399) through line 4 (page 400) New rule - "for" and "against" spaces when electing offices should NOT be used.
402 Lines 1-3 On a ballot with votes for more than one question or office, treat each segment as if a separate ballot and count the number of votes cast separately for each office or issue.
404-405 Line 19 (page 404) through line 11 (page 405) Electronic voting allowed if secrecy can be maintained; this portion does NOT indicate e-mail can be used for voting.
406-408   Rules regarding the recording of roll call votes.
415 Lines 4-16 Clarification that a Straw Poll/Vote is not in order.
424 Line 27-30 Custom's application to the method of voting. In the absence of rule, follow established custom; assembly may vary by incidental or incidental main motion.
427 Lines 6-19 On a ballot electing several members to a single office, a majority of all votes cast on a ballot for at least one position is required.
430 Lines 11-15 Provision to complete an election without previous notice if an individual who is absent is elected and declines.
438

439

Line 33

Lines 1-29

The chair should take care to ensure the members understand what is the immediately pending business.
450

451

Lines 18-19 New duties of the parliamentarian are outlined; includes the right of a parliamentarian to resign.
452 Lines 9-15 Where the recording of corrections to the minutes should appear in the minutes.
459-462   Possible audit or review procedures are outlined.
479-480 Line 31(page 479) through line 10 (page 480) Provisions for the removal or replacement of committee members or committee chairmen.
482-483 Line 28 (page 482) through line 5 (page 483) Business allowable by teleconference if provided in the bylaws and accompanied by special rules of order; all participants must be able to simultaneously hear (or in the case of a video conference - see and hear) each other simultaneously and interact.
558 Lines 7-11 If meetings are scheduled by resolution, then the number of days' notice should be set in the bylaws.
597-599   Procedure for amendment of the credentials report.
628 Lines 29-35 The right of a member to appeal the removal of a nonmember from a meeting.