So now you have taken a position in the Party and you can sally forth smite monsters and make a difference?
Not Quite.
Sorry you do not get to make policy,
YOU get to preside, assist and implement.
Preside over the Debate.
Assist in the Creation of a Consensus.
And Implement the Consensus
All while being NEUTRAL.
You do not even get to be Don Quioxte tilting at Windmills, but Poncho trotting along with the Supplies
Your Role is Vital and Important but maybe not as glamorous as you imagined.
The facets of this are best described in a Section of Robert's Rules Online covering Presiding Officers.
The chairman sometimes calls a member to the chair and takes part in the debate. This should rarely be done, and
nothing can justify it in a case where much feeling is shown
and there is a liability to difficulty in preserving order. If the chairman has even the appearance of being a partisan, he loses much of his ability to control those who are on the opposite side of the question.
There is nothing to justify the unfortunate habit some chairmen have of constantly speaking on questions before the assembly, even interrupting the member who has the floor.
One who expects to take an active part in debate should never accept the chair, or at least should not resume the chair, after having made his speech, until after the pending question is disposed of.1 The presiding officer of a large assembly should never be chosen for any reason except his ability to preside.
You have now become a Public Servant,
A Servant of the Body.
YOU do not make Policy
YOU help the Body determine ITS Policy.
And if there should be an Issue where your basic Principles are under assault?
And you cannot find it in yourself the ability to support the stand chosen?
You Resign.
And enter the maelstrom of Polticial Debate as a Free and Independent Citizen.
Updated: Wednesday, 4 March 2015 9:04 AM CST
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