Overview
Henry Martyn Robert (1837–1923) was a U.S. Army Brigadier General and engineer who developed one of the most widely recognized systems of parliamentary procedure used today. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, General Robert served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he was involved in numerous engineering projects throughout his military career.
The idea for Robert’s Rules of Order reportedly originated in 1863 when General Robert was asked to preside over a church meeting in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The meeting became difficult to manage due to disagreements over procedures and the lack of established rules for conducting business. This experience led General Robert to recognize the need for a consistent framework that could help groups conduct meetings in an orderly, fair, and efficient manner.
After studying parliamentary practices and meeting procedures, General Robert published the first edition of Robert’s Rules of Order in 1876. The manual established standardized procedures for conducting meetings, including making motions, discussing issues, establishing debate procedures, and voting on decisions.
Today, Robert’s Rules of Order remains a commonly referenced guide for organizations, public bodies, and governing boards seeking to conduct meetings in a structured and transparent manner. Its principles emphasize fairness, participation, clarity, and orderly decision-making.
For local governments, parliamentary procedures provide a framework that helps ensure all members have an opportunity to participate, decisions are made through a clear process, and public meetings are conducted in a manner that supports transparency and effective governance.
Important Note: While many public bodies use Robert’s Rules of Order as a guide for conducting meetings, parliamentary procedure requirements may vary depending on state law, local ordinances, adopted meeting rules, or governing documents. Public bodies should understand which rules apply to their specific circumstances and ensure meeting procedures comply with applicable legal requirements.
Content Contributors: Jones and DeMille Engineering, Inc, Hansen Planning Group, LLC / Rural Community Consultants
Special Note: This material was developed by civiclinQ for the Land Use Academy of Utah (LUAU). Funding for the development of this material was provided by through the Land Use Training Fund, which is administered by the Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman , utilizing a portion of the 1% surcharge on all building permits in the State of Utah.
The role of this organization in administering funding is primarily administrative and should not be viewed as legal advice. Always consult your legal representative when addressing land use activities.
Use the ‘Materials’ tab above to view related course materials, including printable pass-along card and PDF version of this online course.
