Removing the chair during a meeting
(c) Can Stock Photo/chrisdorney
Updated November 19, 2022
What can you do when a chair (presiding officer, person running the meeting) refuses to follow Robert’s Rules, abuses their power, or acts in an arbitrary manner?
The first step is to make a Point of Order bringing the error to the chair’s attention. If the chair rules against you, you can Appeal their ruling, and then the group will decide. But sometimes chairs either don’t know how to process Point of Order and Appeal, or simply refuse to acknowledge that they have been challenged.
After stating your motion three times, and being ignored three times, you have the right to stand and put the matter to a vote yourself. And if that doesn’t work, you can move “to Suspend the Rules and elect a presiding officer pro tem for this meeting.” (The word “pro tem” means temporary.)
Obviously, this is not something to be done lightly. Educating the chair and members about the correct procedure is a better way to go. But if education fails, under parliamentary procedure you do have recourse. Here is the passage from Robert’s Rules:
“If the chair fails to act in accord with the assembly’s decision on an appeal (or on a point of order submitted to a vote of the assembly) or otherwise culpably fails to perform the duties of the chair properly in a meeting, the assembly may employ measures temporarily to replace the chair with another presiding officer expected to act in accordance with the will of the assembly.” Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised 12th edition (RONR), Section 62:10.
Note that any provisions in state law and regulation, or your own authority documents, have higher standing than parliamentary procedure. Be sure to research your specific situation and consult your attorney before undertaking this. A mayor who presides over a city council, for example, likely cannot be removed using this approach.
Sample script for removing the chair
Here is one sequence you might follow, where Jack Robinson is the president and chair, Molly Malone is the vice-president, and Abigail Adams, Hamid Khan and Sara Valdez are members of the body.
Sara Valdez I move to suspend the rules and elect Abigail Adams as presiding officer pro tem for this meeting.
Hamid Khan Second!
Chair Jack Robinson It has been moved and seconded that the rules be suspended and Abigail Adams elected as presiding officer pro tem for this meeting. This motion cannot be debated and requires a two-thirds vote to pass. Following the procedure laid down in Robert’s Rules, I hereby step down from the chair. Molly Malone, our vice-president, will put the motion to the vote.
Molly Malone All those in favor of suspending the rules and elected Abigail Adams as presiding officer pro tem for this meeting, raise your right hand. [pause]
Members in favor raise right hand
Molly Malone. Thank you, hands down. All those opposed, raise your right hand. [pause]
Members opposed raise right hand.
Molly Malone There are two-thirds in favor, so the chair is declared vacant and Abigail Adams is elected presiding officer for this meeting. Ms. Adams, kindly take the chair, OR There are not two thirds in favor, so Jack Robinson will resume chairing the meeting.
Removing the chair is effective for one meeting only
See this important quote: “Any one motion to Suspend the Rules that might limit the authority or duties of the presiding officer during a meeting can remain in effect, at most, for one session. Therefore, in order to prevent the regular presiding officer from presiding during subsequent sessions, the motion to Suspend the Rules would have to be renewed and separately adopted at each of the sessions.” RONR Section 62:13.
Permanently removing the chair
Removing the chair from office permanently is a whole different ball game, with different rules. See RONR Section 62:16 and consult your attorney.
Additional ideas are given in these blog posts:
What does it look like if the chair is being a bully?
When the chair is a bully or out of line
See also these posts about Point of Order and Appeal:
What justifies calling a Point of Order?
Point of Order and Appeal are heart of democracy
Keep the chair in line using appeal
Who may raise a point of order at council meetings?
Have you been faced with this dilemma? Share your stories with us!
