Parliamentary Procedure By: Cory Cannady

History of Parliamentary Procedure Robert’s Rules of Order date back to 1876 when General Henry M. Robert, frustrated with meeting logistics, decided to bring the rules of the American Congress to other groups. His publication of Pocket Manual of Rules of Order sold half a million copies before the revision of 1915 and made Robert’s name synonymous with the orderly rule of reason for meetings. Now in its 10th edition, Robert’s Rules of Order is the most accepted guide for parliamentary procedure. Robert’s Rules of Order date back to 1876 when General Henry M. Robert, frustrated with meeting logistics, decided to bring the rules of the American Congress to other groups. His publication of Pocket Manual of Rules of Order sold half a million copies before the revision of 1915 and made Robert’s name synonymous with the orderly rule of reason for meetings. Now in its 10th edition, Robert’s Rules of Order is the most accepted guide for parliamentary procedure.

Things to know: Parli pro is used to make a meeting run more smoothly while allowing everyone to voice their opinion and maintain majority based voting. Parli pro is used to make a meeting run more smoothly while allowing everyone to voice their opinion and maintain majority based voting. Parli pro only allows dealing with one item of business at a time. Parli pro only allows dealing with one item of business at a time. A second does not mean you’re in favor of the motion at hand. Instead, it means you think the motion is important enough to bring before the assembly. A second does not mean you’re in favor of the motion at hand. Instead, it means you think the motion is important enough to bring before the assembly.

Things to know cont… Motions have precedence. This means some are more important and must be dealt with before others. Motions have precedence. This means some are more important and must be dealt with before others. Any motion dealing with the rights of member must be passed by a 2/3 vote. Any motion dealing with the rights of member must be passed by a 2/3 vote. Some motions can interrupt the speaker and must be dealt with immediately. Some motions can interrupt the speaker and must be dealt with immediately. To make a motion, you start by saying “I move…” To make a motion, you start by saying “I move…” A quorum is the predetermined number of people required to legally conduct business. A quorum is the predetermined number of people required to legally conduct business.

Types of Motions There are 5 different types of motions There are 5 different types of motions Main – brings business before the assembly Main – brings business before the assembly Subsidiary – are applied to other motions Subsidiary – are applied to other motions Incidental – are incidental to the question at hand and must be disposed of before business continues on the question Incidental – are incidental to the question at hand and must be disposed of before business continues on the question Privileged – have to do with the rights or needs of an organization Privileged – have to do with the rights or needs of an organization Recall/Rescind – bring matters back for for consideration or action Recall/Rescind – bring matters back for for consideration or action

Subsidiary Motions Amend a motion or amendment Amend a motion or amendment Lay on the table Lay on the table Limit Debate Limit Debate Close Debate Close Debate Refer Postpone Definitely Postpone Indefinitely

Amend a Motion or Amendment Can be amended by adding, striking out or striking out and inserting Can be amended by adding, striking out or striking out and inserting Say: “I move to amend the motion to ‘…’ by (adding/ striking out or striking out and inserting)…” Say: “I move to amend the motion to ‘…’ by (adding/ striking out or striking out and inserting)…” Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a majority vote Requires a majority vote Is debatable Is debatable Is amendable Is amendable

Lay on the Table Used to postpone the vote on a motion until a later time. (Can be brought back up in the same meeting or another meeting.) Used to postpone the vote on a motion until a later time. (Can be brought back up in the same meeting or another meeting.) Say “I move to lay this motion on the table.” Say “I move to lay this motion on the table.” Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a majority vote Requires a majority vote Is debatable Is debatable Not amendable Not amendable

Limit Debate Used to limit debate on a motion. (Can be limited to a specific amount of time or number of times per speaker.) Used to limit debate on a motion. (Can be limited to a specific amount of time or number of times per speaker.) Say “I move to limit debate to __ minutes,” or, “I move to limit debate to __ times per speaker.” Say “I move to limit debate to __ minutes,” or, “I move to limit debate to __ times per speaker.” Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a 2/3 vote (because it deals with the members’ right to speak) Requires a 2/3 vote (because it deals with the members’ right to speak) Is not debatable Is not debatable Is amendable (as to amount of time or times per speaker) Is amendable (as to amount of time or times per speaker)

Close Debate Used to close debate on the motion. Used to close debate on the motion. Say: “I move to close debate.” Say: “I move to close debate.” Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a 2/3 vote (because it deals with the members’ right to speak) Requires a 2/3 vote (because it deals with the members’ right to speak) Is not debatable Is not debatable Is not amendable Is not amendable

Refer Used to refer a motion to a certain committee in order to clarify specifics of the motion. Used to refer a motion to a certain committee in order to clarify specifics of the motion. Say: “I move to refer this motion to the ________ committee.” Say: “I move to refer this motion to the ________ committee.” Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a majority vote Requires a majority vote Is debatable Is debatable Is amendable (as to which committee) Is amendable (as to which committee)

Postpone Definitely Used to postpone the vote on a motion to a later specified date. Used to postpone the vote on a motion to a later specified date. Say: “I move to postpone this motion to _______.” (the next meeting, until we have more information, etc.) Say: “I move to postpone this motion to _______.” (the next meeting, until we have more information, etc.) Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a majority vote Requires a majority vote Is debatable Is debatable Is not amendable Is not amendable

Postpone Indefinitely Used to “kill” a motion. To postpone indefinitely is to remove the motion for vote by the assembly. Used to “kill” a motion. To postpone indefinitely is to remove the motion for vote by the assembly. Say: “I move to postpone this motion indefinitely.” Say: “I move to postpone this motion indefinitely.” Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a majority vote Requires a majority vote Is debatable Is debatable Is not amendable Is not amendable

Incidental Motions To call for a point of order To call for a point of order To call for parliamentary inquiry To call for parliamentary inquiry Rise to a point of information Rise to a point of information To request a specific vote To verify accuracy of the vote/division Object to the consideration of a motion Suspend the rules

Point of Order Used to enforce guidelines of parliamentary procedure. Used to enforce guidelines of parliamentary procedure. Say: “I rise to a point of order” Say: “I rise to a point of order” Can interrupt a speaker Can interrupt a speaker Does not require a 2nd Does not require a 2nd Is not voted on. Instead, the chair either deems the point correct and continues the meeting in the correct way or deems the point incorrect and continues the meeting as it was. Is not voted on. Instead, the chair either deems the point correct and continues the meeting in the correct way or deems the point incorrect and continues the meeting as it was.

Rise to Parliamentary Inquiry Used to find the proper procedure for continuing with an item of business Used to find the proper procedure for continuing with an item of business Say: “I rise to a parliamentary inquiry.” Say: “I rise to a parliamentary inquiry.” Can interrupt the speaker Can interrupt the speaker Does not require a 2 nd Does not require a 2 nd Does not require a vote Does not require a vote Chair answer the question of regarding the question of parliamentary procedure. Chair answer the question of regarding the question of parliamentary procedure.

Point of Information Used to gather further information on an item. (Usually referred to the maker of the motion.) Used to gather further information on an item. (Usually referred to the maker of the motion.) Say: “I rise to a point of information.” Say: “I rise to a point of information.” Can interrupt the speaker Can interrupt the speaker Does not require a 2 nd Does not require a 2 nd Does not require a vote Does not require a vote Chair usually direct the question to be answered by the maker of the motion. Chair usually direct the question to be answered by the maker of the motion.

Request a Specific Vote Used to take a particular vote on a motion. (Either by acclamation, role call, or voice vote. If no one specifies, a voice vote is the normal vote taken.) Used to take a particular vote on a motion. (Either by acclamation, role call, or voice vote. If no one specifies, a voice vote is the normal vote taken.) Say: “I move to a vote by _____.” (roll call, voice, acclamation. Say: “I move to a vote by _____.” (roll call, voice, acclamation. Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd No vote required No vote required Is not debatable Is not debatable Is not amendable Is not amendable

Determine Accuracy of a Vote/Division Used if a voice vote is not sufficient in determining the majority. Used if a voice vote is not sufficient in determining the majority. Say: “Division” (To be said during the time when the presiding officer is announcing the result of the vote) Say: “Division” (To be said during the time when the presiding officer is announcing the result of the vote) Does not require a 2 nd Does not require a 2 nd Can interrupt the speaker Can interrupt the speaker

Object Used to object to the consideration of a motion Used to object to the consideration of a motion Say: “I object to the consideration of this motion.” Say: “I object to the consideration of this motion.” Can only be made by the person who made the motion Can only be made by the person who made the motion Does not require a 2 nd Does not require a 2 nd Does not require a vote Does not require a vote An objection cannot be made after debate on the motion has started An objection cannot be made after debate on the motion has started

Suspend the Rules Used to suspend the rules of order in order to complete something that lies outside the rules of order Used to suspend the rules of order in order to complete something that lies outside the rules of order Say: “I move to suspend the rules.” Say: “I move to suspend the rules.” Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a 2/3 vote Requires a 2/3 vote Is not debatable Is not debatable Is not amendable Is not amendable

Privileged Motions Rise to a question of privilege Rise to a question of privilege Adjourn Adjourn Call for the orders of the day Call for the orders of the day Fix the time to which to adjourn Fix the time to which to adjourn Recess Recess

Rise to a Question of Privilege Used to meet the needs of an individual. Used to meet the needs of an individual. Say: “I rise to a question of privilege.” Say: “I rise to a question of privilege.” Does not require a 2 nd Does not require a 2 nd Can interrupt the speaker. Can interrupt the speaker. Does not require a vote Does not require a vote Chair makes decision. Chair makes decision.

Adjourn Used to end the meeting. Used to end the meeting. Say: “I move to adjourn.” Say: “I move to adjourn.” Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a majority vote Requires a majority vote Is not debatable Is not debatable

Call for the Orders of the Day Used to enforce the agenda of the assembly. Used to enforce the agenda of the assembly. Say: “I move to call for the orders of the day.” Say: “I move to call for the orders of the day.” Can interrupt the speaker Can interrupt the speaker Does not require a 2 nd Does not require a 2 nd Decision is at the chair’s discretion Decision is at the chair’s discretion

Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn Used to adjourn the meeting and set the date for another meeting to finish business before the next regular meeting. Used to adjourn the meeting and set the date for another meeting to finish business before the next regular meeting. Say: “I move that when we adjourn we stay adjourned until _____.” (a time or later date) Say: “I move that when we adjourn we stay adjourned until _____.” (a time or later date) Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a majority vote Requires a majority vote Is not debatable Is not debatable Is amendable Is amendable

Recess Is used to take a break during a meeting Is used to take a break during a meeting Say: “I move to recess for _____ minutes/hours.” Say: “I move to recess for _____ minutes/hours.” Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a majority vote Requires a majority vote Is not debatable Is not debatable Is amendable as to length Is amendable as to length

Reconsider/ Rescind Take from the table Take from the table Reconsider Reconsider Rescind Rescind

Take from the Table Used to take a motion that has previously been tabled and bring it back before the assembly. Used to take a motion that has previously been tabled and bring it back before the assembly. Say: “I move to take from the table the motion made earlier in the meeting to ‘_____’.” Say: “I move to take from the table the motion made earlier in the meeting to ‘_____’.” Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a majority vote Requires a majority vote Is debatable Is debatable Is not amendable Is not amendable

Reconsider Used to reconsider the vote on a motion. (Made to change the vote on a motion.) Used to reconsider the vote on a motion. (Made to change the vote on a motion.) Say: “I move to reconsider the vote on the motion to ‘______’.” Say: “I move to reconsider the vote on the motion to ‘______’.” Only a person who voted on the prevailing side can make the motion to reconsider. Only a person who voted on the prevailing side can make the motion to reconsider. Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a majority vote Requires a majority vote Is debatable Is debatable Is not amendable Is not amendable

Rescind Used to reconsider a motion made at an earlier meeting. Used to reconsider a motion made at an earlier meeting. Say: “I move to rescind the action to ‘______’ that was adopted ‘______’ (either earlier in the meeting or on a specific date.” Say: “I move to rescind the action to ‘______’ that was adopted ‘______’ (either earlier in the meeting or on a specific date.” Does require a 2 nd Does require a 2 nd Requires a 2/3 vote unless there is previous notice of the motion to rescind. If previous notice is given, only a majority vote is required. Requires a 2/3 vote unless there is previous notice of the motion to rescind. If previous notice is given, only a majority vote is required. Is debatable Is debatable Is amendable Is amendable

Precedence of Motions 1. Fix the time to which to adjourn 2. Adjourn 3. Recess 4. Raise to a question of privilege 5. Call for the orders of the day 6. Lay on the table 7. Previous Question/ Close Debate 8. Limit debate 9. Postpone to a certain time 10. Refer 11. Amend 12. Postpone Indefinitely 13. Main Motion

Works Cited "Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance." 08/Mar/1996. Web. 21 Oct "Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance." 08/Mar/1996. Web. 21 Oct "Parliamentary Procedure Online." Robert's Rules Online, 03/Jul/2004. Web. 21 Oct "Parliamentary Procedure Online." Robert's Rules Online, 03/Jul/2004. Web. 21 Oct Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th ed. (Da Capo Press, 2011). “RONR (11th ed). Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th ed. (Da Capo Press, 2011). “RONR (11th ed).