Our Meetings
Ward 12 holds monthly committee meetings open to all residents. Learn how our meetings are run, how decisions are made, and what happened at past meetings.
Meeting Cadence
Ward 12 holds 10 scheduled monthly meetings per year. At least 5 of those meetings include a community issues segment, where residents and members can raise neighborhood concerns and hear from guests and elected officials.
Meetings are open to all residents of Ward 12. You do not need to be a member to attend. Guests and visitors are welcome and may participate in discussion at the discretion of the presiding officer.
Members may attend and vote remotely by phone or video. Members who cannot attend in person may cast an electronic ballot when authorized by a Co-Chair.
Meeting dates, times, and locations are announced by the committee. Contact Ward 12 or check back here for the current meeting schedule.
Our Meeting Agenda
Every monthly meeting follows this standard order of business from Article Seven of our bylaws. The order may be changed by a majority vote of members present.
A. Call to Order
The Co-Chair opens the meeting and confirms that a quorum of 30% of voting members is present to conduct official business.
KIM DRISCOLL
Lieutenant Governor
ANDREA CAMPBELL
Attorney General
WILLIAM GALVIN
Secretary
A. Call to Order
The Co-Chair opens the meeting and confirms that a quorum of 30% of voting members is present to conduct official business.
B. Secretary's and Treasurer's Reports
The Secretary presents prior meeting minutes for approval. The Treasurer presents a financial update. Both are voted on by members.
C. Co-Chairs' Reports
Leadership updates the committee on activities, correspondence, and any items requiring member attention.
D. Program, Committee Reports, and Elected Officials
Guest speakers, standing committee updates, and presentations from elected officials. At least 5 meetings per year include a community issues discussion.
E. Old Business
Items carried over from previous meetings or ongoing matters requiring continued discussion and action.
F. New Business
New motions and proposals raised by members for committee consideration.
G. Good and Welfare Announcements
Community announcements, upcoming events, and member news shared with the full committee.
H. Vote to Adjourn
Members vote to formally close the meeting.
Voting at Our Meetings
Not all votes are the same. Ward 12 uses different thresholds depending on what is being decided.
Majority vote is required for most routine committee decisions and motions.
Two-thirds vote is required for the most consequential decisions, including endorsing a candidate, amending the bylaws, or electing new members to the committee.
Voice Vote
The chair asks those in favor to say aye and those opposed to say no. The most common method at Ward 12 meetings.
Roll Call Vote
Each member answers yes or no as their name is called. Used when a record of each person's individual vote is required.
Ballot Vote
Members write their vote on paper. Used when privacy is appropriate, such as in candidate endorsement votes.
General Consent
Used when a motion is unlikely to be opposed. The chair asks if there is any objection. Silence means approval.
Robert's Rules of Order
Ward 12 meetings are governed by the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, as required by our bylaws. Robert's Rules is the most widely used guide to parliamentary procedure in the United States, used by civic organizations, nonprofits, political parties, and local governments.
For Ward 12, parliamentary procedure is not just a technical process. It is a practical expression of our democratic values. Transparent rules, equal speaking rights, fair voting, and accountable leadership are essential to any organization that claims to be inclusive, open, and rooted in community participation. Robert's Rules protects minority viewpoints, prevents the silencing of dissent, and ensures that decisions are made by open deliberation and the majority's informed judgment rather than by personalities or inside influence.
Robert's Rules was first published in 1876 by U.S. Army officer Henry Martyn Robert, who wanted a consistent and fair framework for conducting meetings in voluntary organizations. It has been updated regularly since and remains the standard authority for democratic deliberation.
How Motions Work
Every decision made at a Ward 12 meeting starts with a motion. A motion is a formal proposal that the committee take action or adopt a position on something.
Step 1 — A member makes a motion
A member who has been recognized by the chair says "I move that..." and states the proposal clearly.
Step 2 — Another member seconds the motion
A different member says "I second the motion." This signals at least two people want the matter discussed. The seconder does not need to be recognized first.
If no one seconds: The motion dies. The chair moves on. It is not debated, voted on, or recorded.
Step 3 — The chair repeats the motion and opens debate
The chair restates the motion clearly so the full room knows exactly what is being considered, then opens the floor for discussion.
Step 4 — Members debate the motion
Members who wish to speak are recognized one at a time. All remarks go to the chair, not to other members. No member may speak twice until everyone wishing to speak has had a turn.
Step 5 — The chair calls for a vote
When debate concludes, the chair calls for the vote. If no one rises to speak, the chair calls for the vote immediately.
Step 6 — The result is announced
The chair announces the outcome. If passed: "The ayes have it, the motion carries." If failed: "The noes have it, the motion fails."
If a motion fails: The matter is closed unless a member moves to reconsider. Only someone who voted on the prevailing side may do so, at the same meeting or the next.
Step 7 — The Secretary records the outcome
The Secretary records the motion, who made it, who seconded it, the vote count, and the result. This becomes part of the permanent record of the committee.
Points You Should Know
You do not need to memorize all of Robert's Rules to participate at a Ward 12 meeting. Here are the most important tools every attendee should feel comfortable using.
Point of Inquiry
Use this if you are unsure what is happening or what motion to make. Rise and say "Point of Inquiry" and the chair will explain exactly what to do next. This is the single most useful tool for a first-time attendee.
Point of Order
Use this if you believe a rule has been violated or the meeting is not following proper procedure. Must be raised immediately after the error occurs.
Point of Information
Use this to request factual information relevant to the business being discussed. Example: "Point of Information — what is the current balance in the committee account?"
Point of Personal Privilege
Use this to address an issue affecting your comfort or ability to participate, such as noise, temperature, or a misstatement about you personally.
Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes are the official record of Ward 12 committee meetings. They are prepared by the Secretary, reviewed and approved by members at the following meeting, and made available here for public transparency.
2026
Minutes will be added here as they are approved by the committee.