What it is
The Standing Rules are the conference’s own operating manual. They sit below the Book of Discipline but above Robert’s Rules: where the Discipline is silent, the Standing Rules decide how we organize leadership, who may bring business, and how the session runs. The Committee on Standing Rules maintains them and reports during the first business session each year.
”Setting the bar”
Early on, the conference secretary establishes the bar — who is seated as a voting member and where. It sounds procedural, but it’s the moment the body defines itself for the session. Watch for it.
How a rule changes
A revision needs a two-thirds vote and takes effect immediately unless the enabling motion says otherwise (Rule 24). The rules can also be suspended for a single purpose by a two-thirds vote.