Democratic Party of Hawai‘i State Central Committee Orientation, 19 July 2018 Participating in Debate & Parliamentary Procedure

Professional Registered Parliamentarian (NAP) & Certified Parliamentarian (AIP) William J. Puette, Ph.D. Parliamentarian Hawai‘i State Association of Parliamentarians P.O. Box 10731 Honolulu, 96816

Know the Rules SCC meetings are governed by 5 layers of Rules which in order of authority are: 1. The National Party Charter; 2. The DPH Constitution; 3. The DPH Bylaws; 4. The SCC Standing and Special Rules; and 5. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th ed. (aka RONR).

The Parliamentarian does not rule! Parliamentary law gives to the chair alone the power to rule on questions of order and on the proper application of the rules. The role of the parliamentarian during a meeting is purely an advisory and consultative one, helping the presiding officer to respond to points of order and parliamentary inquiries. Only on the most involved matters should the presiding officer ask the parliamentarian to give an explanation directly to the assembly

RONR (11th ed.) RONRIB (2nd ed.)

Order of Business at Meetings Roll Call Approval of Minutes Action Items Reports of Officers Reports County Chairs Reports of Committees Reports of Caucuses SCC Special & Standing Rules

Agenda Unless a precirculated agenda is formally adopted at the session to which it applies, it is not binding as to detail or order of consideration RONRIB (2nd ed.), p. 16; RONR (11th ed.), p. 371

How Decisions Are Made at a Meeting Motion Handling: How Decisions Are Made at a Meeting A motion is a formal proposal by a member in a meeting that the group take certain action. A main motion is one whose introduction brings business before the assembly. RONRIB (2nd ed.), p. 19, HTRUM, p. 29-36.

The Chairperson of the Party is responsible for maintaining order and enforcing the rules. The parliamentarian does not rule, but advises the chair. Members should know, understand and follow these Important rules:

Rule #1 No discussion is permitted until a motion is made and stated by the Chair. RONR (11th ed.), pp. 34-35 Nā Lula Hālāwai, p. 30

Rule #2 All motions, debate, reports and questions must be addressed and directed to the chair and use the teleconferencing microphone to the permit members participating electronically to hear. Do not speak directly to anyone else. RONR (11th ed.), p. 392

Question #2 When a question of parliamentary procedure affecting the assembly's proceedings is raised, a ruling must be made by… the chair. the recording secretary. the parliamentarian.

Rule #3a Members may ask questions only of the Chair. Such questions may not be rhetorical questions, thinly veiled opinions, commentary or argumentative rather than inquisitive. After the member asks a question, that member no longer has recognition, is not entitled to a follow up question, and should sit down.

Rule #3b . A “point of information” is actually request to ask a question; not an opportunity to introduce information; likewise there is no such thing as a “point of personal privilege”. A Question of Privilege is decided by the Chair

Rule #4 Any member may raise a “Point of Order” when the member believes a rule of order or provisions of the Constitution and or Bylaws is/are being violated. The Chair will rule whether or not the point or order is well-taken.

Rule #5 All debate is expected to be civil, courteous and constrained by the rules of decorum. No member speaking in debate or giving a report (except in a disciplinary case) may insult, accuse or speak ill of another member or officer or use obscene language. Speak to the issue(s) not the personalities or character of the opposition. RONR (11th ed.), p. 392 Nā Lula Hālāwai, p. 31 No ka Maluhia a me ka Hoʻopāpā ‘ana

Rule #6 To speak in debate members must be recognized by the chair, identify themselves, indicate whether the member is speaking for or against the pending motion, and abide by the proscribed time limits, which are not transferrable.

Rule #7 Shouting out “I Call for the Question” to end debate is out of order. Calling for the Question to end debate is a motion and can only be made after being recognized by the Chair. If not adopted by general consent, It requires a second and a 2/3 vote. RONR (11th ed.), pp. 200-202 Nā Lula Hālāwai, pp. 50-51 Ka Nīnau ‘Ānō

Misuse: “Calls of ‘Question!’ by members from their seats are not motions for the Previous Question and are disorderly if another member is speaking or seeking recognition.” - RONR (11th ed.), p. 207 (RONRIB (2nd ed.), pp. 36, 87-88, 118) CHAIR: The previous question is moved on [naming the motions, unless none was specified]. Those in favor of ordering the previous question on [repeating the motions], rise. . . . Be seated. Those opposed, rise. . . . Be seated. There are two thirds in the affirmative and the previous question is ordered.

Rule #8 After debate the chair may ask of there is objection to the proposed motion (action item). If not, the motion will be adopted by general consent. If there is sufficient objection (as described in the rules), the vote will be counted or taken by Roll Call.

Rules of Decorum -RONR (11th ed.), pp. 391-94 Confine remarks to the merits of the pending question Refrain from attacking a member's motives Address all remarks through the chair Avoid the use of members' names. Refrain from speaking adversely on a prior action not pending Refrain from speaking against one's own motion. Do not read from reports, long passages, etc., (allowed only without objection or by majority vote) Be seated during an Interruption by the Chair. Refrain from disturbing the assembly. -RONR (11th ed.), pp. 391-94

If a member wants to kill a motion, he or she should move to table it. True or False?

If a member wants to kill a motion, he or she should move to table it. False. RONR (11th ed.), pp. 215-16 Nā Lula Hālāwai, p. 46 Ho‘omoe ma ka Papa

Misuses: “The motion to Lay on the Table is often incorrectly used and wrongly admitted as in order with the intention of either killing an embarrassing question without a direct vote, or of suppressing a question without debate.” [RONR (11th ed.), p. 216] “It is out of order to move to lay a pending question on the table if there is evidently no other matter urgently requiring immediate attention.” [RONR (11th ed.), p. 215] CHAIR: Please state a reason for laying this motion on the table?

Here endeth the lesson