Parliamentary Procedure

Objectives of Parliamentary Procedure  Focus on one item at a time. Helps prevent confusion.  Extend courtesy to everyone. You should be recognized before speaking.  Observing the rule of the majority keeps unpopular ideas from being adopted.  Ensure the rights of the minority, all sides can make motions, second motions, discuss and vote.

Definition of Parliamentary Procedure  Using well-defined rules to conduct business through a formal, organized approach.  The official book on parliamentary procedure is Robert’s Rules of Order.

 Presiding officer should be fair and impartial and should leave the chairman’s station and relinquish chairman’s duties to discuss or present a point of view.

The Gavel  Represents the symbol of authority in a parliamentary procedure meeting.  One tap means to sit down, announce the vote or adjourn.  Two taps means to call the meeting to order.  Three taps means to stand up.

Parliamentary Procedure Vocabulary  Agenda- list of what will be discussed at a business meeting. The agenda should be prepared before the meeting.  Motion- to present a new idea or item of business. (“I Move To” or “I Move That”)  Amend- to change a motion.  Majority- more than half; group that controls the most votes.  Minority- less than half; opposite of majority.  Quorum- 2/3 of the total membership. This amount of people must be present for the group to make decisions or changes.

Main Motion  Presents a new idea or item of business. Only one can be on the floor or before the group at the same time. It is debatable, amendable, requires a second and majority vote.

Steps to make a main motion  Address presiding officer.  Receive recognition to speak.  State motion-“I move to…” or “I move that…”.  Another member seconds the motion (to show that more than one person wants the item of business before the group).  Motion is discussed.  Vote on the motion.  Chair announces result of vote.

 Discussion gives members opportunities to discuss pros and cons of the main motion.

 Voting (there are two kinds of votes)  Majority.  2/3 majority.  Four Methods of Voting  Voice vote.  Visual vote (standing or raising hands).  Roll call.  Ballot.

Amendment  To change a motion by striking out or adding words. It is debatable, amendable, requires a second and a majority vote.

Division of the House To get a counted vote. It is not debatable or amendable. Member seeking a division does not have to be recognized by the chair to speak. You simple say “Division”.

Refer to a Committee  Places the motion in a committee. It is debatable, amendable, requires a second and a majority vote.  The motion should include the number on the committee, how they are appointed, their powers, duties and when to report back.

Previous Question  To stop discussion. It is not debatable or amendable and requires a 2/3 vote.

Point of Order  Used to correct a parliamentary mistake. It is not debatable or amendable and does not require a second or a vote. Member says “I rise to a point of order”.

Suspend the Rules  Used to temporarily suspend the rules of an organization. It is not debatable or amendable and requires a second and a 2/3 vote.

Adjourn To close the meeting (requires simple majority vote). It is not debatable or amendable, requires a second and a majority vote. A motion to adjourn takes precedence over all other motions