Page:Robert's Parliamentary Practice.djvu/182

160 by one of the members, usually the leading spirit of the group. A case of this kind is that of three or four persons consulting together as to the expediency of calling a mass meeting for a certain purpose, or of organizing a certain society. In either case it is necessary to have the work planned by a few persons in advance of holding the large meeting, as described in R. O. R., pages 275, 284.

If the group, however, is somewhat larger it would be difficult without some organization for the timid members to have any influence on the discussion and resultant action. In fact, the probabilities are that very soon several small groups would be talking over the matter in different parts of the room independently of the other groups. Experience has shown that it is very difficult to get a full discussion of a subject and a fair expression of the opinion of even six or eight people unless one person is chosen to preside over the meeting and to enforce the rules just mentioned so that the rights of all the members shall be protected. The presiding officer is called the "chairman," and is chosen as described on page 4. If the meeting is in an ordinary room the chairman retains his seat or takes a more prominent one at his pleasure. In a room where there is a table or desk he takes a seat by it, and states the object of the meeting, or calls upon some one who is more familiar with the subject to explain it. If it is desired to have a record of what is done, the chair makes a memorandum of