Perhaps I read too quickly, but I could not find in the by-laws any mention of the necessity of following Robert's Rules of Order.  After revisiting the rules (not since my high school days have I used them), I think this may have been a deliberate choice by the MPA pioneers. 

I cannot see the need to do it because "every [other?] organization in Arizona uses Robert's."

Pat Konomos

Unfortunately for Mark I have just looked up Roberts Rules -- -- I was not familiar with them as they are not taught as such in England -- -- we learnt about Parliamentary Government instead. NOWHERE does it say that new business may not be discussed after being introduced. NOWHERE does it say that the aganda is inviolate. In fact, as one summary of the rules states: "The agenda and all committee reports are merely recommendations!", and "The assembly rules - they have the final say on everything!" So it appears Mark was trying to apply "Lymers Rules," which allowed pretty well all of Roberts Rules to be ignored in the conduct of the meetings I have attended. Frankly, I doubt that most of the participants are aware of Roberts Rules or that our meetings were supposed to be run in accordance with them.