Which of the following best defines 'Ruling' in the context of meetings?

• A. The official decision of the presiding officer
• B. A formal vote on a motion
• C. A written guidance from the secretary
• D. A procedure to delay action

Answer: (A)

In meetings, a ruling is the presiding officer’s official decision on questions of procedure or order. It determines how the meeting will proceed in that moment—what is allowed, what is not, and how a motion or point of order should be handled. This is different from voting on a motion (which is the act of deciding the motion itself), from any written guidance issued by a secretary, or from tactics aimed at delaying action. A ruling helps keep the flow of business consistent with the rules, and it can sometimes be appealed to the assembly if someone wants the group to reconsider the chair’s decision.