Monday, October 13, 2008

Meetings, Filibustering in

By learning Robert's Rules of Order and enforcing them in library-related meetings, a good librarian can act as parliamentarian and either a) learn to filibuster bad ideas and delay implementation with procedural motions, second readings, and votes or b) be totally obnoxious and get un-invited from future meetings.

Ask the readers: The editors will now accept motions from the floor (e.g., "I hereby move that...")

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I defer to my distinguished colleague holding the conk?

Anonymous said...

Conk:
the visible fruiting body of a bracket fungus (Merriam Webster Online Dictionary)

Anonymous said...

I move we play conkers.

First blood has to bring the snacks for the next meeting! Good ones.

Anonymous said...

no, no, the conch! like in Lord of the Flies. Don't you guys read Robert's Rules?

Anonymous said...

I hereby move that someone second my motion to table all other motions until such time as the body gets around to creating committees to study the issues, nominations for those committees can be considered for one month, committees can be then be elected by paper vote with proxy votes (and any necessary official recounts), the matters then be studied for at least four months, then reported on at the next meeting, then considered for another month, and then voted on by the body.

Anonymous said...

Point of order!

It's getting fetid in here. I ask that the previous speaker open the windows and let in some fresh air.

Anonymous said...

I second whatever it was you all just said because I was doodling on my agenda and daydreaming...again.

Anonymous said...

I move that all previous minutes be read, understood, discussed, edited and generally mucked round with for so long that we actually have no time for the meeting proper.

Unknown said...

I suggest the absence of a quorum!!

(This means you have to take a roll-call to make sure you've got enough people to hold the meeting. Looking around the room and seeing everyone there doesn't count. And you can suggest the absence of a quorum as often as you want.)

Anonymous said...

point of clarification: Am I supposed to actually care about [subject of meeting], or only look like I care about it?