How meetings work
Bourinot’s Rules of Order – Meeting Quick Guide
A practical guide for members, stewards, and officers participating in union meetings
1. Purpose of Bourinot’s Rules in Meetings
Bourinot’s Rules of Order are used to ensure fairness, democracy, and efficiency in union decision-making. They protect:
- The rights of the majority to decide
- The rights of the minority to be heard
- The authority of the Chair
- The will of the membership
2. Role of the Chair (President or Chairperson)
- Presides over the meeting and maintains order
- Recognizes speakers
- Rules on points of order and procedure
- Puts motions to a vote and announces results
Members must respect the authority of the Chair at all times.
3. How to Speak in a Meeting
- Raise your hand (or indicate electronically) and wait to be recognized
- Address all remarks through the Chair
- Speak only to the motion on the floor
- Speak once per motion until others have had a chance
- Keep remarks respectful and union-focused
Remember: Meetings are for decision-making, not personal debate.
4. Making a Motion
- When recognized, clearly state your motion:
“I move that Local ___…” - Motions must be seconded (except some procedural motions)
- Once restated by the Chair, the motion belongs to the membership
Example:
“I move that Local 123 allocate up to $1,000 from the education budget to send two delegates to the regional conference.”
5. Amending a Motion
- Amendments must relate directly to the main motion
- Only one amendment and one sub-amendment at a time
- Debate focuses on the amendment first
Example:
“I move to amend the motion by replacing ‘$1,000’ with ‘$1,500.’”
6. Debate Rules (Especially Important in Union Meetings)
- Stay on topic and avoid repeating points
- Avoid naming individuals unless necessary
- Focus on impacts to members, solidarity, and union principles
- The Chair may limit debate if repetitive or time-sensitive
7. Voting
- The Chair will call the question
- Voting methods may include: show of hands, standing vote, ballot, or electronic
- Respect the result once declared
- Dissent is recorded through minutes, not continued debate
8. Points and Interruptions (Use Sparingly)
You may interrupt only for:
Point of Order
- Used when rules or bylaws are being violated
- Must state the rule being breached
Point of Privilege
- Used when meeting conditions affect members’ ability to participate (noise, temperature, audibility)
Appeal the Decision of the Chair
- Challenges a ruling (requires a seconder and vote of the membership)
9. After a Decision – Union Solidarity
- Once a decision is made, members are expected to support the collective decision
- Disagreement is respected, but undermining decisions outside the meeting is discouraged
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Meetings
❌ Speaking without being recognized
❌ Talking directly to another member instead of through the Chair
❌ Turning debate into personal criticism
❌ Repeating the same arguments multiple times
❌ Trying to change a motion during debate instead of moving an amendment
❌ Continuing to argue after a vote has been called
❌ Using “Point of Order” to make a political point
Sample Wording Cheat Sheet
Making a Motion
“I move that the Local endorse…”
Seconding a Motion
“I second the motion.”
Speaking to a Motion
“Through the Chair, I support this motion because…”
Moving an Amendment
“I move to amend the motion by adding…”
Calling the Question (Ending Debate)
“I call the question.”
Point of Order
“Point of Order, Chair. The speaker is not addressing the motion on the floor.”
Point of Privilege
“Point of Privilege. Members at the back cannot hear the discussion.”
Appealing the Chair’s Decision
“I appeal the decision of the Chair.”
Final Tip for Union Members
Strong union meetings rely on respectful debate, clear motions, and solidarity in action. Bourinot’s Rules are a tool to help members make collective decisions—not a weapon to silence others.
