These rules of order are meant to create an atmosphere where the members of the body and the members of the public can attend to business efficiently, fairly, and with full participation. This is best achieved when common courtesy and decorum are observed by all participating parties. The Mayor/Chair should always ensure that debate and discussion of an agenda item focus on the item and the policy in question, while also remaining open and free to all opinions. However, if a debate is too loud, too personal, or too crude, the Mayor/Chair has the responsibility of intervening. If multiple members of the body are speaking at once, the Mayor/Chair should recognize 1 member first and then allow the second member to speak, and so on, to ensure all members have the opportunity to be heard and understood. Generally, a speaker should not be interrupted, barring these few exceptions:
- Point of Privilege: Appropriate points of privilege relate to anything that would interfere with the normal comfort of the meeting. For example, the room may be too hot or too cold, or a blowing fan might interfere with a person's ability to hear. A member may bring this to the attention at any time during a meeting without using the language "point of privilege".
- Point of Order: Appropriate points of order relate to anything that would not be considered appropriate conduct of the meeting. For example, if the Mayor/Chair moved on to a vote on a motion without allowing discussion or debate. A member may bring this to the attention of the Mayor/Chair at any time during a meeting without using the language "point of order.
- Call for orders of the day. This is simply another way of saying, "return to the agenda." If a member believes that the body has drifted from the agreed-upon agenda, such a call may be made. It does not require a vote, and when the Mayor/Chair discovers that this is the correct call, the Mayor/Chair simply reminds the body to return to the agenda item.