Practicing Parliamentary Procedure How can I survive a formal meeting?

What is Parliamentary Procedure? Set of rules and guidelines that allow the following: Fair debate Majority rules Minority is heard Handling one item at a time Maintains order A code of ethics to follow as business is conducted.

Main Motion To present an item of business for consideration and action by the chapter. Requires: Second Is debatable Is amendable Majority vote

Steps in Presenting a Motion Rise and address the president-”Mr./Mdm. President…” Recognition by the president-(Name or office) Presenting the motion-“I move that…” Seconding the motion-”Mr./Mdm. President, I second the motion” Statement of the question- “It has been moved and seconded that…”

Seconding a motion Ensures the following: Get on record as supporting motion. Puts the motion to a vote.

Debating a motion Raise concerns about the motion. Persuade others to vote one way or another. Provide information about motion. Can be done at any time while the motion is on the floor.

Voting on a Motion Can be done by the following means: Voice Rising (show of hands) Ballot Roll call General consent

Types of Votes Majority: one more than half the votes cast. (50% + 1) Plurality: the most votes received, for example a candidate, but not always a majority. Two-thirds: two-thirds of the members

Other Facts Putting the Question refers to taking the vote- “Those supporting the motion that…say aye. Those opposed say no.” Tie vote-motion is lost if requires majority vote. The president may leave the chair to debate a motion. 6 th per. 10/14

Amend Purpose: Modify the motion that is under consideration. 2 nd required Debatable usually 1 st rank is amendable Majority vote 2 nd rank amendment max-2nd rank must apply to 1 st rank. 1 st per. 10/14

Ways to Amend Striking out words Adding or inserting words Striking out and inserting words

Privileged motions Motions that fulfill individual needs or the interest of the group individually. Motions do not pertain directly to the business being discussed. 6 th per. 10/15

Privileged Motions Include the following: Fix Time to Which to Adjourn Adjourn Recess Raise a Question of Privilege Call for Orders of the Day

Adjourn Privileged motion that ends current meeting immediately. Requires: Second Non-debatable Non-amendable Majority vote

Subsidiary Motions Motions that alter, change or dispose of main motions.

Subsidiary Motions Include the following: Lay on the Table Call for Previous Question Postpone Definitely Refer to a Committee Amend Postpone Indefinitely

Lay on the Table Delays motion briefly, until taken from table. Requires: Second Non-debatable Non-amendable Majority vote 1 st, 6 th per. 10/16

Call for Previous Question Ends debate immediately. Requires: Second Non-debatable Non-amendable Two-thirds vote

Refer to a Committee Assign main motion to a committee. Requires: Second Debatable Amendable Majority vote

Refer to a Committee Two types of committees: Standing. Ad Hoc, or special committee appointed by the chair.

Refer to a Committee Reasons for referring to a committee: Gather more information Act on a motion

Amend Changes or alters a main motion by: Striking out Inserting Striking out and inserting Adding

Amend No more than two amendments can be considered at one time. Requires: Second Debatable Amendable Majority Vote

Incidental Motions Motions that: Correct ill-advised actions Correct improper use of parliamentary procedure.

Incidental Motions Include the following: Object to the Consideration of Question Appeal from the Decision of the Chair Rise to a Point of Order Withdraw a Motion Suspend the Rules Call for Division of the House Rise to Parliamentary Inquiry

Appeal from the Decision of the Chair Allows members to overrule chair Requires: Second Debatable only if motion being overruled was debatable NON-Amendable Majority Vote

Rise to a Point of Order Have parliamentary errors corrected. Requires: Nothing. Error presented by member is decided by the chair.

Rise to Parliamentary Inquiry Check on parliamentary questions, or ask how to carry out a parliamentary ability. Requires: Nothing. Question presented by member is address by the chair.

Call for a Division of the House Requires countable vote, if voice vote was announced incorrectly by chair. Can only be called for after vote has been announced. Requires: Nothing. Addressed by chair upon being called. 6 th per. 10/20

Withdraw a Motion Retracts motion proposed. Can only be moved by member or proposed motion being withdrawn. Requires: Nothing. If chair asks for objections and there is none, withdraw stands. If there is an objection, a majority vote is needed for passage. 1 st per. 10/20

Suspend the Rules Make exceptions to by-laws of organization’s constitution. Requires: Second Non-Debatable Non-Amendable Two-thirds Vote

Unclassified Motions Motions that do not fit other parliamentary categories Motions usually pertain to actions already taken at previous meetings.

Unclassified Motions Include the Following: Reconsider Rescind Take from the Table

Reconsider Correct ill-advised or erroneous action. Member who moves to reconsider must have been on prevailing side of motion being reconsidered. Requires: Second Debatable NON-Amendable Majority Vote

Rescind Revoke or nullify previous action. Requires: Second Debatable Amendable Two-thirds Vote

Take from the Table Resume consideration of tabled motion. Requires: Second Non-debatable Non-amendable Majority Vote