COMMOTION
If you are going to conduct meetings of almost any kind it is wise to become
acquainted with Robert’s “Rules of Order.”
You need to be aware of things Mr. Robert’s said about how you should tend to
your own business in this little book. Sooner or later - usually sooner - someone is going to
quote what Oracle Bobby said, or did not say, concerning some “Point of Order.” You
must be ready to quote back.
Most of his rules are common sense and it is a good path to follow to get things
done at most meetings. It comes in handy.
I recall one incident I happened to be involved in years ago when a grown man in
our church congregation today was just a toddler ... maybe three or four, I suppose. Our
committee was meeting around a long table set in the corner of the Fellowship Hall of the
church. It was not the ideal spot in which to hold such meetings because the
passageway from the church and to the outdoors was in constant use.
The boy, who’s mother was in another committee meeting somewhere in the
church, decided it was a good time to make use of his freedom and location to do
something he had enjoyed in the past. He ran off toward the far end of the long hall;
broke into a fast run in our direction and, halfway down the long hall, purposely squatted
or knelt or took some sort of position only boys that age can take and skidded the rest of
the way on the hardwood, waxed floor! He had done it before and was an expert at the
art, it appeared. He did it again and again and sprawled against the wall beside us, in a
manner which was, shall we say, “noticeable”
As chairman I went on with our meeting, pretending not to notice the floor skiing
feats Here he comes again!
But, this time the lady on the end of the table leaned out a bit, extended her arms
and he slid right into her grasp. She picked the tiny kid up and plopped him down on his
bottom on the table right in front of her chair and cuddled him a bit in her arms. Everyone
at the table watched the capture and I’ll never believe what I said promptly as the
unflappable chairperson:
“Now that the motion has been tabled, let’s get back to this idea of...”
In moments such as that we are left strictly on our own. I don’t think Mr. Robert’s
covers that situation, exactly, in his “Rules of Order”. It is good to read the book and to
become acquainted with the subtle meanings of expression he sets forth which will keep
a meeting moving right along.
Memorize the book and you can become one of the most erudite, tiresome and
tedious persons who “hits the floor” at the slightest infraction of one of Robert’s “rules.”
I’ve never found the rule to be used to rid yourself of such parliamentary pests.
Count yourself blessed indeed if you happen to have two such characters. If so, set them
against each other, and get on with the business at hand.
Remember: Robert is Right. Always.
A.L.M. July 16, 2002 [c551wds]
