Legal Definitions - call to order

The term "call to order" refers to the formal act by a presiding officer (such as a chairperson, president, or judge) to officially begin a meeting, session, or proceeding. It can also refer to an instruction given to participants to cease disruptive behavior and adhere to established rules and procedures, thereby restoring proper conduct to the gathering.

• Example 1 (Formal Start of a Meeting):

  At the annual shareholders' meeting for a large corporation, the CEO steps to the podium, taps the microphone, and states, "Good morning, everyone. I now call this 2024 Annual Shareholders' Meeting to order."

  This statement formally initiates the meeting, signaling that official business, such as voting on proposals and reviewing financial reports, can now commence.

• Example 2 (Restoring Decorum During a Session):

  During a contentious public hearing about a new zoning proposal, several audience members begin shouting comments and interrupting the speaker. The planning commission chair firmly raps their gavel and declares, "I must call this hearing to order! Please respect the process and hold your comments until the public comment period."

  Here, the "call to order" is an intervention to stop disruptive behavior and remind participants to follow the established rules of conduct for the hearing, allowing the proceedings to continue in an orderly fashion.

• Example 3 (Resuming a Formal Session):

  Following a brief lunch break during a multi-day professional conference, the conference moderator returns to the stage and announces, "Welcome back, everyone. We will now call this afternoon session to order to continue with our keynote speaker."

  This signifies the official resumption of the conference's agenda after a pause, indicating that the scheduled activities are restarting.