Page:Robert's Parliamentary Practice.djvu/181



Business in Small Groups. It is frequently necessary for several persons to take some united action on certain matters, before doing which they must confer together and agree upon the course to pursue. If only three or four persons are in the group they need no rules to control the discussion, except those of common courtesy, namely, that only one person speak at a time; that he be courteous to the others, and that the others pay respectful attention to his remarks; that his remarks be confined to the subject under consideration; and that no speaker monopolize the time, but that each have a fair chance to express his views on the subject. Any additional rules would be an unnecessary hindrance to the freedom of the discussion. Persons may sit or stand as they please. No formal motions are made, nor are formal votes taken, but any action taken must be agreed to by a majority. If the case is one requiring the action agreed upon to be in writing, it is written out Rh