Adopted September 9, 2009

These Standing Rules were adopted by the Voting Representatives of the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations, Inc. (“VBCCO”) to govern meetings of the General Membership.

Except as provided for in the VBCCO Bylaws, or set forth below, Roberts Rules of Order shall be the authority in all matters of procedure.

These Standing Rules may be changed or amended upon a two-thirds majority vote of Voting Representatives present at any General Meeting in which a quorum is present, provided that the amendment or change has been read at the previous General Meeting and delivered to the Voting Representatives of (a) the member organizations and (b) Associate Member categories and to all members of the Board of Directors at least fourteen days prior to the meeting. 

Although an adopted rule remains in effect until rescinded or amended, it does not bind future sessions if a two-thirds majority of the Voting Representatives present at any General Meeting in which a quorum is present desires to temporarily suspend one or more rules for the duration of a single General Meeting.

1.     General Meetings are set by the Board of Directors as set forth in the Bylaws which require that notice must be provided at least 30 days prior to any change in the date, time, or location for such meeting.

2.     Special Meetings may be called by the President, a majority of the Board of Directors, or upon written request of five or more Member Organizations, as set forth in the Bylaws which require that notice of such meeting must be given to all Voting Representatives at least 14 days prior to such meeting.

3.     Voting Representatives and Guests must sign in on the Sign-In Log provided at each General Meeting.

4.     The Membership Committee Chairperson shall verify Voting Representatives present at each General or Special Meeting and, upon call of the President, report the status of a quorum.

5.     The President shall designate a Parliamentarian and Timekeeper for each General and Special Meeting.

6.     The following is the normal order of business at General Meetings:

a.     Call to Order

b.     Pledge of Allegiance

c.     Approval of the Minutes from the previous General Meeting

d.    Treasurer’s Report

e.     Reports from Committees, which shall be submitted in writing to the President at least one week prior to the meeting for distribution to Voting Representatives and which shall not exceed three minutes each when read.

f.      Unfinished Business

g.     New Business

h.    Program

i.      Adjournment.

7.     Discussion.

a.     While guests may participate in discussion during programs, only Voting Representatives shall be recognized by the President during the Business portion of a meeting.

b.     Before speaking, the Voting Representative shall wait to be recognized by the President.

c.     After being recognized, the Voting Representatives shall rise and state his or her name, Member Organization or position as a VBCCO Officer or Director.

d.    When discussing a motion, each Voting Representatives shall limit comments to one minute.

e.     Each Voting Representatives shall be recognized only once for each item of business until all other Voting Representatives who wish to speak have had the opportunity.

8.     Adoption of Position Statements.

a.     VBCCO shall refrain from discussions concerning or the endorsement of political candidates or religious doctrine.

b.     In order for VBCCO to take a position on an issue, the issue shall be published to Voting Representatives at least five days prior to the meeting at which the vote will occur.