Who Is Robert, and Why Does He Rule?

The article discusses the professional conduct of Oncology Nursing Society (ONGC) as per the book "Robert's Rules of Order," by Henry Martin Robert, W.J. Evans, D.H. Honemann and T.J. Balch. The book is commonly abbreviated as RONR. It is accepted as the authoritative work on meeting rules. Many organizations, including ONS, have written into their bylaws that meetings will be conducted according to RONR. The parliamentarian assists the Society in conducting the meeting according to RONR. RONR also guides the format and style of meeting minutes. The minutes from ONS meetings are part of public record and, therefore, legal documents. At the June 2004, ONS Board of Directors meeting in Washington, D.C., the Board decided to write and submit minutes that are more closely in line with RONR. The manual is very clear on minutes meeting. The minutes should include only what was done, not what was said. No summary of the discussions or talks presented should be included, nor should any opinions be offered. ONS will be changing the way its corporations' and committees' minutes are written, submitted, and approved.