Meeting Administration and Parliamentary Procedure
This domain tests whether you can run a legally defensible meeting: proper notice, a valid quorum, correct motion handling, lawful closed sessions, and minutes that prove what happened. Parliamentary rules organize debate, but statute and charter control legality, and they win every conflict.
Notice and agenda
Regular meetings follow the schedule set by ordinance or resolution; special meetings require the notice period and purpose statement in the statute or charter, and generally may act only on the stated subject. Emergency meetings still require notice to the extent practicable and a documented emergency. Agendas, packets, and backup materials are public records.
Quorum, motions, and voting
Quorum is usually a majority of the whole body, not of those present. Motion hierarchy runs from main motion to subsidiary (amend, substitute, postpone, refer), privileged (recess, adjourn), and incidental motions. A second is required for most motions but not for points of order. Know whether passage requires a majority of those present and voting, a majority of the quorum, or a supermajority of the whole body.
Closed session
A closed session requires a motion, a roll-call vote, and citation of the specific statutory exemption. No final action may be taken in closed session. Closed-session minutes are kept separately and released only when the legal basis for confidentiality ends.
Minutes
Minutes record what was done, not what was said: call to order, members present, motions with mover and second, vote tallies, and actions taken. Verbatim transcripts are a policy choice, not a legal default.
Worked example
A seven-member council has five present, so quorum (four) is met. A motion carries 3-2 with one abstention. If the charter requires a majority of those present and voting, three yes votes of five cast pass it. If it requires a majority of the whole council (four), the motion fails despite having more yes than no votes.
Traps that cost marks
Counting abstentions as no votes; taking final action in closed session; failing to state the statutory exemption; assuming Robert's Rules outranks statute; approving items not on the posted agenda.