Cosmopolitan Toastmasters

To a first-time visitor a Cosmopolitan 515 business meeting can be somewhat intimidating. 

(I thought I had mistakenly stumbled into the House of Commons.)  Then, as things move along, one comes to realize that all this heated debating is about some inane and inconsequential item of business.......presented by: Tom "Guy" Renick;  Past President

What is going on, and what is its purpose?

The business meeting has a number of purposes.  On some rare occasions there is actually some official business of the club that needs to be addressed There is a “Walter Mitty” aspect to the business meeting in that it gives “wannabe statesmen” the opportunity to engage in bombastic debate as though they were Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun or some other historic leader.  The debate often has a gamesmanship aspect to it as members try to outwit the other debaters and befuddle the chairman.  But the most important reason for the business meeting is that it gives members the opportunity to learn and practice Roberts’ Rules of Order.

Roberts’ Rules of Order are a set of rules and procedures by which almost all official meetings of government and business in the U.S. are conducted. They are followed in some form by city councils, school boards, political parties, clubs and organizations, and the like.  The rules are intended to assure that the business of the organization is discussed and conducted in a fair and orderly fashion.  Knowing and understanding these rules will make you more comfortable in such situations, and more importantly, gives you an advantage over those less knowledgeable in leading and influencing the workings of the organization.

It is important to remember that in a Cosmopolitan 515 business meeting the process is almost always more important than the product.  Benefit is derived from it only by participating.  Don’t hesitate to participate, add your two cents worth to the debate or make a motion.

To aid members during the business meeting, the basics of Roberts’ Rules of Order are summarized in the upper right hand corner of the placemat. Those rules are included here as well.  A motion that may be of considerable interest to newcomers is the “Point of Parliamentary Inquiry”.  If you get confused about what is going on in the meeting, stand up and say, "Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of parliamentary inquiry."  The Chairman should then respond with something like: "State your inquiry."  Then ask your question.  Also, feel free to quiz the Club Parliamentarian following his report.

Toward the end of the business meeting, you will often hear, "Orders of the Day" being called.  This is actually a motion demanding that we adhere to the printed agenda on your placemat.  It only needs 1/3 to pass.

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