Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure 130.395(c)7B

Objectives Discuss importance of parliamentary procedure Define basic parliament procedure terms Conduct a meeting using parliamentary procedure

5 Minute Journal Write about a meeting you have attended. Where they able to effectively conduct business? Describe what was being done that was effective or ineffective.

Glossary of Terms Business- items that are listed on a group’s agenda or discussed in an official meeting Motion- idea or proposal at a meeting presented to the group for debate then voted upon Parliamentary Procedure- body of rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings and other group operations

Purpose Assist groups to achieve their objectives Conduct business effectively and efficiently Incorporate democratic principles

Characteristics of Team Members Willingness to work Ability to learn parliamentary procedure Team spirit Well-developed voice Calmness and self-confidence Neat appearance

Characteristics of a Presiding Officer Willingness to work Ability to learn parliamentary procedure Team spirit Well-developed voice Calmness and self-confidence Neat appearance Fair and impartial judgment Skill in leading people

Opening Ceremonies The officers will walk in from the outside entrance to their respective places and remain standing. President: (Raps twice with gavel) The meeting will come to order. The thought for the day will be given by the (designated officer). Designated Officer: (Gives the thought for the day at the speaker's stand and returns to his or her seat.) President: (Raps gavel once to seat the officers) The emblem is symbolic of the SkillsUSA organization. You are about to witness the emblem ceremony, in which the meaning of each component of our emblem will be given and the significance of the colors described (Raps gavel once, calls for Mister or Madame Parliamentarian and steps directly back.) Parliamentarian: (Picks up the shield and moves to speaker's stand) The shield represents patriotism. (Pauses) The shield denotes our belief in democracy, liberty the American way of life. (Affixes the shield to the SkillsUSA emblem stand, calls for Mister or Madame Reporter and returns to seat).

Opening Ceremonies Reporter: (Picks up the gear and moves to the speaker's stand) The gear represents the industrial society. (Pauses) The gear, symbolic of the industrial society, denotes the interdependence and cooperation of the individual working with labor and management for the betterment of mankind. (Affixes the gear to the emblem, calls for Mister or Madame Treasurer and returns to seat.) Treasurer: (Picks up the torch and moves to speaker's stand) The torch represents knowledge. (Pauses) The flaming torch reflects the light of knowledge, which dispels the darkness of ignorance. In the light of the torch, progress will be made toward the vocational goals of the individual. (Affixes the torch to the emblem, calls for Mister or Madame Secretary and returns to seat.) Secretary: (Picks up the orbital circles and moves to speaker's stand) The orbital circles represent technology. (Pauses) The circles represent the challenge of modern technology and the training needed to accept and master new technical frontiers and the need for continuous education. (Affixes the circles to the emblem, calls for Mister or Madame Vice President and returns to seat.) Vice President: (Picks up the hands and moves to speaker's stand.) The hands represent the individual. (Pauses.) The hands portray a search for knowledge and our desire to acquire a skill. In the process of attaining knowledge and skill, we will develop a respect for the dignity of work and become productive and responsible citizens. (Affixes the hands to emblem, calls for Mister or Madame Historian and returns to seat.)

Opening Ceremonies Historian: (Moves to emblem and pauses.) With the affixing of the golden hands, we add the final official color of SkillsUSA. The colors of the emblem represent our organization. Red and white represent the individual states and the chapters; blue represents the common union of the states and the chapters; and gold represents the individual, the most important element of SkillsUSA. (Calls for Mister or Madame President and returns to seat.) President: (Picks up the letters 'SkillsUSA" and moves to emblem and affixes the letters to emblem; pauses.) All of the components constitute our emblem. Separately, they could be applied to many organizations, but as one unit, they represent the fundamental principles and purposes of our organization. The emblem represents SkillsUSA. (Returns to speaker's stand and pauses. Raps three times with gavel for all to stand.) We will respect the flag with the Pledge of Allegiance. (In unison, team members turn to flag and place their right hands over their hearts.) In Unison: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. (In unison, right hand is lowered to side and all turn to front.) President: (Raps once with gavel for all to be seated.)

Closing Ceremonies President: Mister or Madame Secretary, have you a record of any further business to come before the meeting at this time? Secretary: (Rises.) I have none, Mister or Madame President. (Is seated.) President: Does any member know of any new or unfinished business that should come before this meeting? (Pauses for response.) Since there is no further business to come before the meeting at this time, we will prepare to adjourn. Since the rule is the basic instrument of our work, it is particularly fitting that we select the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," to govern our lives. Let us speak our pledge. (Raps three times with the gavel for all to rise and leads in reciting the pledge.) In Unison: Upon my honor, I pledge: To prepare myself by diligent study and ardent practice to become a worker whose services will be recognized as honorable by my employer and fellow workers. To base my expectations of reward upon the solid foundation of service. To honor and respect my vocation in such a way as to bring repute to myself. And further, to spare no effort in upholding the ideals of SkillsUSA. President: I now declare this meeting adjourned until our next regular meeting or until a special meeting shall be called by your president. (Raps once with gavel.) (All officers turn in unison and exit the room in a formal manner.)

Classification and Order of Precedence Precedence- the order of importance for motions When a motion is pending, one may propose a motion of higher precedence, but not lower Motions are to be voted upon in reverse order of their proposal

Classification and Order of Precedence Privileged motions Subsidiary Incidental Motions to bring an item of business back before the assembly Main Motions

Privileged Motions Secondary motions Assist group in addressing particular situations of immediate importance Highest ranked motions Privileged Motions Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn Adjourn Recess Raise to a Question of Privilege Call for the Orders of the Day Motions listed in order of importance

Subsidiary Motions Secondary motions Assist group in dealing with or disposing of a main motion Subsidiary Motions Lay on the Table Previous Question Limit or Extend Limits of Debate Postpone to a Certain Time (Definitely) Refer to a Committee (Commit) Amend Postpone Indefinitely Motions listed in order of importance

Incidental Motions Secondary motions Assist group in addressing questions of procedure when dealing with a main motion or other item of business Incidental Motions Point of Order Appeal Suspend the Rules Object to Consideration of a Question Division of the Question Division of the Assembly Nomination: Make, Close, or Reopen Parliamentary Inquiry Withdraw a Motion Motions listed in order of importance

Motions Which Bring an Item Back Before the Assembly Secondary motions Assist group in addressing items of business that need revision or further consideration Motions Which Bring an Item Back Before the Assembly Take from the Table Rescind Discharge a Committee Reconsider Motions listed in order of importance

Main Motion Proposals by members of a group, assembly, or chapter that request the group take a particular action Lowest ranked motion Main Motion Motions listed in order of importance

Steps in Presenting an Item of Business Rise and address President “Mr./Madam President” or “Mr./Madam Chair” Recognition by President “Name of Person” e.g. “Bill” or “Mary” Present Motion “I move that…” or “I move to…” Second Motion “Mr./Madam President, I second the motion” Statement of the Question “It is moved and seconded that…”

Steps Following the Presentation of a Motion Debate (if question is debatable) Limited to the immediately pending question President: “The question is now open for debate.” or “Are there any remarks?” Member “has the floor”/ is entitled to speak after gaining recognition from the president

Steps Following the Presentation of a Motion Putting the Question When no discussion occurs or it is evident debate is drawing to a close President: “Are you ready for the question?” If no response president takes the vote (puts the question) President: “Those supporting the motion that… say aye. Those opposed say no.” or “Those in favor of the motion please rise. Those opposed please rise.” Members demonstrate support or opposition by giving their vote President: “The ayes/noes have it and the motion is carried/lost. We will (state effect of motion, if passed)” Vote does not go into effect until the announcement is made

Methods of Voting Non-counted Votes Counted Votes Voice Rising Ballot Showing of hands or standing Ballot Unanimous (General Consent) Roll Call

Rules for Voting Majority Plurality Two-thirds Half the votes cast plus 1 Plurality When there are three or more candidates, one candidate receives more votes than any other, but not the majority Two-thirds Two-thirds of the votes cast Unanimous (General) Consent Approval if no objections are made Tie Vote Motion Fails Changing Votes Member may change vote until results are announced

Common Motions

Main Motion Present an item of business for consideration and action by the chapter Main motion It cannot interrupt a speaker A second is required It is debatable and amendable A majority vote is necessary It may be reconsidered It ranks last in precedence

Steps in Presenting a Main Motion Rise and address President “Mr./Madam President” or “Mr./Madam Chair” Recognition by President “Name of Person” e.g. “Bill” or “Mary” Present Motion “I move that…” or “I move to…” Second Motion “Mr./Madam President, I second the motion” Statement of the Question “The motion before the chapter is that… This motion is debatable, amendable, and requires a majority vote. It is now open for debate.” Debate If any debate, members may gain recognition and present debate related to motion Put the Question “Are you ready for the question? Those supporting the motion that… say aye. Those opposed say no. The ayes/noes have it and the motion is carried/lost. We will (state effect of motion, if passed)”

Amend Modify a motion that is under consideration Amend It cannot interrupt a speaker A second is required It is debatable when the motion to which it applies is debatable An amendment can be amended by an amendment of the second rank. An amendment of the second rank cannot be amended A majority vote is necessary It may be reconsidered

Steps to Amend a Motion A motion is opened up for debate “The motion before the chapter is that… This motion is debatable, amendable, and requires a majority vote. It is now open for discussion.” Rise and address President “Mr./Madam President” or “Mr./Madam Chair” Recognition by President “Name of Person” e.g. “Bill” or “Mary” Present Amendment “I move to amend the main motion by inserting/striking out the words…” Second Motion “Mr./Madam President, I second the motion” or “I second the amendment” Statement of the Question “It has been moved and seconded to amend the main motion by inserting/striking out the words… This motion is debatable, amendable, and requires a majority vote. It is now open for discussion.”

Steps to Amend a Motion Contd. Discussion, if any At this point members may introduce a second rank amendment. Put the Question “Are you ready for the question? Those supporting the amendment that we insert/strike out the words… say aye. Those opposed say no. The ayes/noes have it and the amendment is carried/lost. The amended motion that …is now before the chapter. It is now open for discussion” Debate At this point members may introduce another first rank amendment. “Are you ready for the question? Those supporting the amended motion that… say aye. Those opposed say no. The ayes/noes have it and the motion is carried/lost. We will (state effect of motion, if passed)”

Adjourn (Unqualified) Terminate the meeting It cannot interrupt a speaker A second is required It is undebatable and unamendable A majority vote is required It cannot be reconsidered It cannot be made while counting votes or verifying a vote unless the vote is by ballot

Steps to Adjourn a Meeting Rise and address President “Mr./Madam President” or “Mr./Madam Chair” Recognition by President “Name of Person” e.g. “Bill” or “Mary” Present Motion “I move that we adjourn” Second Motion “Mr./Madam President, I second the motion” Statement of the Question “It has been moved and seconded that we adjourn. This motion is undebatable, unamendable, and requires a majority vote. Those supporting the motion say aye. Those opposed say no. The ayes/noes have it and the motion is carried/lost. The meeting is adjourned (assuming passage of motion)” Closing ceremonies begin (if passed)

Nominations and Elections Present to the chapter the name of a candidate for a certain office or position Making Nominations It may not interrupt a speaker A second is not required to nominate All nominees can be discussed Candidates are voted upon in the order in which they were nominated A majority vote is required to elect Closing Nominations A second is required It is undebatable It is amendable as to time only* A two-thirds vote is required It cannot be reconsidered

Steps to Make a Nomination Following the passing of a main motion to elect President: “The floor is now open for nominations.” Member: “I nominate… for… (office).” President: “If there are no further nominations, then…”

Steps to Close a Nomination Member: “I move that nominations cease” or “I move to close nominations.” Member: “Mr./Madam President, I second that motion President: “It has been moved and seconded that nominations cease. This motion is undebatable, amendable to time only, and requires a two-thirds vote. Are there any amendments? Those supporting the motion please stand. Those opposed to the motion please stand. There being a two-thirds majority, the is carried and nominations are closed (assuming passage of motion). Would anyone like to speak on any of the candidates?”