CMO Council Procedures & Meeting Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Robert's Rules of Order, what is the purpose of a 'point of order'?
- To request a recess
- To call attention to a violation of rules or procedures (Correct answer)
- To demand a roll call vote
- To introduce new business
Correct answer: To call attention to a violation of rules or procedures
A point of order is raised to alert the presiding officer that a rule or procedure is being violated.
Question 2: Which type of council meeting requires public notice but is limited to a specific announced topic?
- Regular meeting
- Emergency meeting
- Special meeting (Correct answer)
- Executive session
Correct answer: Special meeting
Special meetings are called for a specific purpose and the agenda is limited to that announced topic.
Question 3: A council member who has a financial interest in a contract being voted on should:
- Vote 'no' to avoid favoritism
- Abstain and recuse themselves from the vote (Correct answer)
- Vote 'yes' if the contract benefits the municipality
- Cast a provisional vote pending ethics review
Correct answer: Abstain and recuse themselves from the vote
Council members with a conflict of interest must recuse themselves and abstain from voting to avoid ethical violations.
Question 4: What does it mean to 'table' a motion in American parliamentary procedure?
- To permanently defeat the motion
- To postpone the motion indefinitely
- To temporarily set aside the motion for later consideration (Correct answer)
- To refer the motion to a committee
Correct answer: To temporarily set aside the motion for later consideration
In American usage, tabling a motion temporarily suspends its consideration so the body can attend to other business.
Question 5: What is the minimum notice period most states require for a regular public meeting agenda to be posted?
- 12 hours
- 24 hours
- 48 hours (Correct answer)
- 72 hours
Correct answer: 48 hours
Most state open meetings laws require agenda posting at least 48 hours before a regular meeting, though requirements vary.
Question 6: Which procedural motion allows the council to revisit a vote taken at the same meeting?
- Motion to reconsider (Correct answer)
- Motion to rescind
- Motion to amend
- Motion to postpone
Correct answer: Motion to reconsider
A motion to reconsider allows the council to revisit a decision made at the same or immediately preceding meeting.
Question 7: During a public hearing on a zoning ordinance, a council member's role is best described as:
- Advocate for the applicant
- Impartial decision-maker who listens to all testimony (Correct answer)
- Legal counsel for the municipality
- Moderator with no voting authority
Correct answer: Impartial decision-maker who listens to all testimony
Council members must act as impartial quasi-judicial decision-makers during public hearings, weighing evidence from all parties.
CMO Council Procedures & Meeting Management 2
Under Robert's Rules of Order, what is the purpose of a 'point of order'?