- Parliamentary procedure exists to facilitate the transaction of business and to promote cooperation and harmony.
- All members have equal rights, privileges, and obligations.
- The majority has the right to decide.
- The minority has rights, which must be protected.
- A quorum must be present for the group to act.
- Full and free discussion of every motion considered is a basic right.
- Only one question at a time can be considered at any given time.
- Members have the right to know at all times what the immediately pending question is, and to have it restated before a vote is taken.
- No member can speak until recognized by the chair.
- No one can speak a second time on the same question as long as another wants to speak a first time.
- The chair should be strictly impartial.
Adapted from Roberts Rules of Order, 10th Edition
Source: Leading Effective Meetings: Making Basic Parliamentary Procedure Work, Attachment 2, On-line pdf file, Northeast College, Houston Community College, Student Services Department