What is the guideline or rules for conducting a meeting?

The correct answer is that parliamentary procedure serves as an established set of rules and guidelines that govern the conduct of meetings. This formal approach ensures that meetings are efficient, orderly, and fair, providing a framework for discussing topics, making motions, and reaching decisions. It is widely recognized and used in various organizations, including legislative bodies, nonprofit organizations, and corporate boards.

Parliamentary procedure includes specific steps for agenda preparation, debate, voting, and recording minutes, which helps all participants understand the process and their roles within it. This method promotes respect for all members' rights, facilitates clear communication, and helps manage conflicts by providing a standardized way to handle disagreements.

While consensus processes and Robert's Rules of Order can be related to parliamentary procedure, they are not as encompassing in the formal structure provided by parliamentary methods. Meeting protocols, on the other hand, may refer more broadly to organizational customs or norms around conducting meetings rather than the specific, codified guidelines of parliamentary procedure.