Robert distinguishes three versions of committee of the whole, each appropriate for a meeting of a particular size. In a formal committee of the whole , suited to large meetings, the results of votes taken are not final decisions of the meeting, but have the status of recommendations that the meeting itself must vote on under its regular rules. Moreover, a chairperson of the committee of the whole is appointed, and the regular presiding officer of the meeting leaves the chair. The results of votes taken in committee are reported to the meeting for final consideration under the regular rules, as with a committee of the whole. In this form, however, the presiding officer of the meeting remains in the chair and presides over the committee's session.
Informal consideration is suited to small meetings.
The procedure simply removes the normal limitations on the number of times members can speak in debate. The regular presiding officer remains in the chair, and the results of the votes taken during informal consideration are decisions of the meeting, and are not voted on again. In forming a committee of the whole, the meeting elects a chairperson, or the chair appoints another person to preside over the committee session and then vacates the chair. Any guests who are present may then be asked to leave the meeting. If the meeting wants to discuss a matter without the presence of visitors, it can decide formally or informally to ask the chair to request guests to leave temporarily, and that the meeting proceed in camera .