Parliamentary Procedure

We will adapt Robert’s Rules of Order to give structure to this classroom. When I bang my gavel on my podium that is your signal for class to begin, so you need to sit down, turn off your phone and wait for the meeting to commence.

Parliamentary Procedure You get to choose what we study this year. However, whatever you want to study is limited to the agenda for the six weeks. Chapters must be proposed, seconded and voted for approval by the class.

For Example Lets say the Agenda for the six weeks includes Congressional Powers, The Executive Branch, How a Bill Becomes a Law and The Media. Joe is in my Government class and he wants to study the President (Executive branch). First Joe would raise his hand and wait to be recognized by me, the Chairman.

For Example If I choose to recognize Joe, I will say “Joe on what point do you rise? Joe will respond by saying “Motion to consider study of the President” I respond by saying “It has been moved to consider study of the President. Is there a second?

For Example Lets say that Carla also wants to study the President as well, she would then raise her hand and say “second.” I respond by saying “It has been moved and seconded to move to study of the president.

Voting Procedure The Chairman (Mr. Walker) will then ask for all in favor and a number of students will raise there hand. The Chairman will then for all opposed and a number of students raise there hand. Lastly the Chairman will ask for Abstentions (meaning you don’t care if we talk about the President). A majority is needed to proceed with the chapter on the Executive Branch (the President) If there is no clear majority the Chairman (Mr. Walker) will make the selection

Any Questions?

Parliamentary Procedure Main Motion Point of Information QuestionInquiry Point of Privilege Point of Order RecessAdjournDebate Extend/Limit Speaker’s Time Request Sanctions There are several Points we will use during the “Parli-Pro” method of this class.

Main Motion Used to consider a chapter in the textbook Example: “Move to consider Chapter 8: The Executive Branch” means I want to study the Executive Branch (President) –Motion must be seconded the we take a vote –Simple majority to approve studying the President –Motions to “do nothing today” will ALWAYS be overuled by the Chairman (Mr. Walker)

Main Motion This can also be used to discuss anything that you heard about (newsworthy) or something you saw or read about that is also newsworthy This can also be used to discuss the News of the Day or Quote of the day. This motion cannot be used to talk about a TV show or some movie.

Point of Information This is used when you have a question about something we are studying. Lets say you do not understand what Emanate Domain is (listed in your 5 th amendments rights) You would say “Point of Information” and wait to be recognized by the chair.

Point of Information When recognized you would then ask your question –“What does Emanate Domain mean?” –The chair then does his/her best to answer your question. In this case Emanate Domain means the Government can legally take your house to develop the land as long as they pay your fair market value for your home

Emanate Domain Jerry Jones and the City of Arlington used Emanate Domain to seize land to build the New Cowboy’s Stadium.

Question This is used if you have a specific question for either me or a classmate. Perhaps you do not understand were a student got information about the Pentagon You would raise your hand and wait to be recognized. Then ask “Question for _____.” “How do you know the Pentagon is less secure in the A-ring then the E-ring? The student of Mr. Walker will then do their best to answer the question.

Inquiry This is when you don’t remember the proper procedure to do something in the class. For example you forget how to ask to go to the bathroom. At which Point of Privilege is used

Point of Privilege You use this to ask to go to the bathroom, go to your locker, Mrs. Scotts office, etc. It is left to the judgment of the chair if he’ll let you go.

Point of Order As Mr. Casey puts it this is the “tattle-tale” motion. If someone does something out of order, for example asking to go to the bathroom without requesting a Point of Privilege then you can bust him/her on that.

Recess This motion can be used to take a short break in class. This style of ridged order can become tiring and sometimes a break is needed. If motion for recess is approved the Chair will set a time limit. However the chair can rule this motion out of order if he chooses to.

Adjourn This motion can only be used at the end of class. This signals the meeting to come an end until the next school day.

Debate In the event that a heated debate starts over some political issue, we motion to put into formal debate fashion. When formal debate is taking place the chair will place a time limit on the debate. We do have other things to get too after all. During a formal debate, students can ask questions to each other about the issue as long as procedure is followed.

Extend/Limit Speakers Time This is used during a formal debate, it requires a second and a majority vote. You can use this motion to ask more questions or if you are tired of hearing the issue you can ask to limit the debate. This motion cannot be used to limit the chairman's speaking rights. This is still my classroom.

Sanctions This can ONLY be used against a disruptive student, it CANNOT be used against a student who has done nothing wrong in the class, based off the Chairman’s judgment. This motion requires a majority vote to impose sanctions on a disruptive student. Refer to your class rules for penalties if sanctions are imposed.

Any questions? Let’s put this in practice and set up tomorrow’s schedule.