Session Flow · 45-minute committee meeting to 2-hour board or general meeting

Robert's Rules Order of Business

The standard order of business from Robert's Rules of Order, the most widely used parliamentary manual for boards, associations and councils. It gives formal meetings a predictable sequence so decisions are made by motion and vote, one item at a time, with the minority heard.

When to use Robert's Rules Order of Business

Board meetings, association and member meetings, councils and committees that decide by motion and vote.

How Robert's Rules Order of Business works

Use the sequence as the agenda for a formal board, association or general members' meeting, and plan the decision items under New Business. Add a short opening or programme block if the group has one.

Phases of Robert's Rules Order of Business

  1. Call to Order: The chair confirms a quorum is present and opens the meeting.
  2. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting are corrected if needed and approved.
  3. Reports: Officers, the treasurer and committees report, and any motions arising from the reports are handled.
  4. Unfinished Business: Items carried over or postponed from the previous meeting are taken up first.
  5. New Business: Members raise new items as motions, which are debated and voted on one at a time.
  6. Announcements: Short notices for the members, without debate.
  7. Adjournment: The chair closes the meeting once the agenda is complete or a motion to adjourn passes.

Key principles

  • One item at a time
  • Majority decides, minority is heard
  • Decisions by motion and vote
  • Unfinished business before new business
  • The adopted agenda is the group's, not the chair's

Best for

  • Board meetings
  • Associations and non-profits
  • Councils and committees
  • Formal decision meetings

Considerations

  • Formal procedure can feel heavy for small, informal teams
  • Only applies fully if the organisation has adopted Robert's Rules as its authority
  • Members need a basic grasp of motions for it to run smoothly
  • Pair with a facilitated discussion block when an issue needs open exploration before a motion

Attribution & sources

Developed by Henry Martyn Robert, 1876 (current edition: Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th ed., 2020)

Primary source

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