Parliamentary Procedure

Why? Parli Pro is used in most business, board meetings, organizations, churches, city councils, county commission, chambers of commerce, state and national legislatures, and much more. Students need to know how to defend themselves. To properly run your chapter, allow students to be active in business matters such as educational trips, program of work, large purchases, fundraising ideas, etc. To learn how to debate No one else is teaching it!

Parliamentary Procedure Definition Correct rules for conducting or running a successful meeting 3 goals of Parliamentary Procedure Make meeting run smoothly Assure everyone gets to voice their opinion Maintain Order Started 1562 in England Sir Thomas Smyth Official Rule Book Roberts Rules of Order

Terms Quorum Minimum number of members that must be present at a meeting for legal business to be transacted Normally, 1/2 of members in a club plus 1, however, bylaws, charters, constitution may set a different number. Majority 1/2 of members present at any meeting plus 1 minimum number of members that must vote for a motion for it to pass Presiding Officer referred to as: Mr/Madam President Mr/Madam Chair Everyone gets the chance to voice their opinion Everyone gets the chance to Vote Must take yes and no votes Only one topic at a time can be discussed Who ever makes a motion has the right to discuss it first

Ways to Vote Voice Vote (most common) Rising Vote Show of Hands Roll Call Secret Ballot

Types of Motions IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE AND RANK Privileged-Special matters of immediate importance not related to pending business. Subsidiary-assists in treating or disposing of a main motion Main Motions-brings business before the assembly Incidental Motions-related to the parliamentary situation in such a way that it must be decided before business proceeds. Motions that bring a motion before assembly again

Privileged Privileged Fix Time which to adjourn Adjourn Recess Question of Privilege Call for the orders of the Day

Fix time to adjourn/reassemble Purpose To arrange time for next meeting Needs a Second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote Can interrupt a speaker Proper example Mr President, I move that when we adjourn, we reassemble on October 3rd at 3:00 pm in the school cafeteria.

Adjourn Immediately end a meeting. Second Required Not Debatable Not Amendable Majority Vote Required Can’t be reconsidered Proper Example: Mr President, I move to adjourn.

Recess Purpose Needs a second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote This allows for a short break in the meeting (normally so a motion can be discussed in private) Needs a second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote Can not interrupt another speaker Must specify the length of time in the motion Proper example Mr President, I move to take a 5 minute recess.

Question of Privilege Purpose Does not need a second Not amendable This allows for people in the group to ask for changes in the temperature, for ideas to clarified, for motions to be explained, for others to repeat their discussion or motions, and anything that may help the meeting run more smoothly. Does not need a second Not amendable Not debatable No Vote, Presidents decision Can interrupt another speaker Proper Example Madam President, I Rise to a question of privilege. President says, “State Your Question” Then the member says, It is hot in here, may we turn on the air conditioner. President announces decision

Orders of the Day Purpose Does not require a second Not Amendable This motion forces the group to return to the set agenda, without finishing the current business. Does not require a second Not Amendable Not Debatable 2/3 vote against to fail Can only be made on motions that are not on the set agenda for that meeting. Mr. President, I call for the orders of the day. President : Orders of the day has been called. All those who wish to return to the orders of the day, raise your hand. All those opposed to returning to the orders of the day, same sign.

Subsidiary Motions Lay on the Table Previous Question Limit or extend debate time limits Postpone definitely Refer to committee Amend Postpone indefinitely

To lay on the table Purpose Requires a second Not amendable To defer action on the motion until later in the meeting or until the next meeting Used for more important pressing business. Must be brought from table by close of next meeting or motion dies. Requires a second Not amendable Not debatable Majority Vote Can not interrupt another speaker Proper example: Mr. Chair, I move to lay this motion on the table

Previous Question Purpose Requires a second Not amendable To force an immediate Vote on the motion Requires a second Not amendable Not Debatable 2/3 Vote Can not interrupt another speaker Proper example: Madam President, I move the previous question Mr President, I call for the previous question

Limit or extend debate time limits Limit / Extend Debate Continued Maker of the motion must specify the amount of time the number of speakers that can debate the motion Proper Example Madam President, I move that we limit debate on this motion to 3 discussions for the motion and 3 discussions against the motion. Madam President, I move to limit debate to a maximum of 5 minutes.

Postpone definitely Purpose Requires a second Amendable Debatable allow for the motion on the floor to be deferred to a different day, meeting, or until after a certain event Requires a second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote Can interrupt a speaker Proper example: Madam Chair, I move to postpone this motion until the December Regular Meeting.

Refer or Refer to committee Purpose used to send a pending question to a small group so that the question may be carefully investigated Either standing or special committee Must specify committee powers Requires a Second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote Proper example: Madam Chair, I move that we refer this motion to the Leadership Committee to report back to the assembly. Or. Mr. Chair, I move to refer this motion to a committee of 3 appointed by the chair with the power to act.

Postpone indefinitely Purpose To kill a main motion Requires a second Not Amendable Debatable Majority Vote Can not interrupt another speaker Can be reconsidered only if passed Proper Example: Mr President, I move to Postpone this motion indefinitely

Main Motions Used to introduce ideas to the group Must be stated in the form I Move that I Move to Can not be in negative form Only one main motion at a time Require a second Amendable Can Be Changed Debatable Can be talked about Majority Vote Can be voice

Main Motions Continued Main Motions that are not Legal Break any Local, State or National Laws Any motion that brings up a motion that has already been failed Items that are outside the power of the group Negative motions Political or religious Support The person who makes a motion can not talk against it Main motions can be reconsidered Can not interrupt another speaker Proper Example: Mr President, I move that the chapter participate in chapter business competition this year.

Effective Debate The purpose of debate is to persuade the assembly to vote in a certain way. Beginning Statement How do you feel about the motion? Do you want it to be adopted? How do you want people to vote? Example: This motion is an asinine idea! Middle Statement Present Sound logical evidence to back up your beginning statement. Effective debate should have complete thoughts, logical reasoning, and conviction of theory Example: SkillsUSA can not afford JLDC this year. We only have $500 in our account right now. Furthermore we need a new plasma cutter that could benefit everyone in the Department.

Effective Debate Ending Statement Reinforce your statement and how you want people to vote. Example: So for these reasons I beg you to vote against the horrible motion.

Steps to handling a Main Motion Stand Ask to be recognized by President President recognizes you by name Motion is correctly stated Motion is seconded Motion is repeated by President Motion is discussed President restates motion Motion is voted on Results of vote announced by President

Amendments Purpose Must be germane Can be amended in 4 ways Used to modify a main motion Must be germane Closely related to the original topic Can be amended in 4 ways Inserting in middle Adding to end Striking Out Striking out and inserting Requires a second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote

Amendments continued Can not interrupt another speaker Can be reconsidered Improper amendments any thing not germane frivolous or absurd leave an incoherent wording Proper Example: Motion on floor: That we attend state conference. Amendment: Mr. Chair, I move to amend the motion by inserting “and national” after state so the motion would read that we attend state and national conference

Incidental Motions Appeal Division of the Assembly Division of a question Object to consideration Parliamentary Inquiry Point of Order Suspend the rules

Appeal Purpose Requires a second Not amendable To reverse the decision of the chairman, after they have made an error. Requires a second Not amendable Debatable (this is the only motion where President can discuss) Majority vote Can interrupt another speaker Most of the time you should support the decision of your president. Proper Example Mr President I appeal the decision of the chair. President should say “Appeal the decision of the chair has been called, all those who wish to uphold the decision of the chair say I, all opposed same sign.”

Division of the assembly Purpose When called, this forces a immediate revote by hand Does not require a second Not amendable Not debatable No vote needed Can interrupt another speaker Must be called after decision is announced by chair Proper form Can be made by saying “division” loud enough for the entire group to hear Or by standing and saying “I call for a division of the house”

Division of a Motion Divide a Motion Purpose This motion allows a motion that has been made to be split into two different motions This can only be made on motions that have two main ideas that are not dependent on each other Requires a second Not debatable Amendable Majority vote Can not interrupt another speaker

Division of a Motion Continued Proper example Motion on the floor, I move that we attend State and National Conferences. Madam President, I move to divide this motion into two motions; The first stating the we attend state conference and the second that we go to national conference.

Object to the Consideration Purpose Used when a member thinks that the activity or action of the group is not appropriate. Does not require a second Not amendable Not debatable 2/3 vote Can interrupt another speaker Proper form Mr President, I object to the consideration of this question. President should say “Objection to the consideration has been called. All those who wish to consider the motion raise your right hand. All those who object to the consideration of this question same sign.

Parliamentary inquiry Purpose- To get clarification on parliamentary procedure. May interrupt another speaker. Example: Member: Parliamentary inquiry Chair: State your Question Member: What is the vote required to limit debate? Chair: 2/3rd vote because it limits the rights of members.

Point of Order Purpose Does not require a second Not amendable Used when a member thinks that the rules of the group or the rules of parliamentary procedure are being violated. Does not require a second Not amendable Not debatable President decides on verdict Can interrupt another speaker Proper example Mr President, I rise to a point of order. President says, “State your point” After member states point, president says “your point is well taken” or “Your point is not well taken”

Suspend the Rules Purpose Requires a second Not amendable allows the chapter to break the rules of parliamentary procedure, or the current constitution for a short period of time. Requires a second Not amendable Not debatable 2/3 vote Can not interrupt another speaker Proper example: Mr President, Because of the lack of time tonight, I move to suspend the rules and skip directly to new business.

Motions that bring back a motion before the assembly again Reconsider Rescind Take from the Table

Reconsider Purpose Requires a second Not amendable Debatable to reevaluate a failing decision that was made earlier Requires a second Not amendable Debatable Majority vote Can not interrupt another speaker If passed, the motion to be reconsidered is handled just as if it was never voted on Only can be made by a person who voted on the winning side If passed the motion is handled immediately if: only a main motion with amendments is on the floor.

Reconsider Continued Handled after the current business if: discussion on refer to committee, or postponement has started. Motions that can be reconsidered Main motions Amendments Refer to committee Postpone definitely Previous question Appeal the decision of the chair Only if failed withdraw Only if passed Postpone indefinitely Proper Example Mr President, I move to reconsider the motion to attend JLDC.

Recind Purpose Requires a Second Debatable Amendable 2/3 majority vote To REPEAL PREVIOUS ACTION THAT PASSED Requires a Second Debatable Amendable 2/3 majority vote Can not interrupt another speaker Proper Example Madam President, I move that we recind the motion to tour Austal Shipyard.

To take from the table Purpose Requires a second not amendable To take a motion that is on the table off of the table. Requires a second not amendable Not debatable Majority vote Can not interrupt another speaker Proper Example I move to take the motion that reads to attend State Conference from the table.

Withdraw a motion To take a motion from the table. Must be done by person making motion. Must be seconded. Example: I move to withdraw the motion.

We will now carry out a motion using correct parliamentary procedure. Trail Mix

Would you be interested in this competition?

Main Motion: I move that our SkillsUSA donate $500 to the local habitat for humanity project. Chair 1: Fixed time which to adjourn Chair 2: Recess Chair 3: Lay on the Table Chair 4: Main Motion Chair 5: Question of privilege (Cold, may we turn off air conditioner?)