“It is difficult to find another branch of knowledge where a small amount of study produces such great results in increased efficiency in a country where the people rule, as in parliamentary law.” -Henry M. Robert

John Sturk, Internal Vice-President RHA Parliamentarian

Overview  Motions are our Friend!  Meeting Protocol & Debate: How We Do It  Cast Your Vote: How to Make Your Voice Heard  Attendance Policies: Be Here or Be Square!  Conclusion/Questions

Parli-Pro Lingo  The Question – The current proposal before the body  The Chair – Whoever is presiding over the meeting, usually Tim  The Floor – The person who has been recognized and may speak  Germane – Relevant to the Question  Representative – YOU!!  Quorum – The minimum number of people needed to conduct Business AKA: SturkSpeak

Motions Are Our Friend!  What is a motion? – Any formal proposal for action by the body.  How do I make a motion? – Obtain the floor, and state “Mr. President, I move…” – Do not say “I motion…” That’s incorrect!  If you don’t know exactly how to word the motion you want to make, simply ask for assistance when you obtain the floor! We’re happy to help you.

Types of Motions  Four Types of Motions – Main – Subsidiary – Incidental – Privileged  Bills are proposals for action, and considered Main Motions

Types of Motions, cont.  Main – Lowest Rank – Brings a New Topic before the Body – Require a Second & Majority vote (50% + 1)  Subsidiary – Propose action on the Main Motion – Most require a Second & Majority vote – Some require a 2/3 vote

Types of Motions, cont.  Privileged – When something needs to be taken care of NOW – Most require a Second & Majority vote  Incidental – Miscellaneous – Pointing, Questions, Yellow Fruit, and Court-Speak  Points of Order/Info/Clarify/Pers. Priv., Appeals, Objections, and Parliamentary Inquiry

Motion Order  Introducing the Motion  Seconding  Questions on the Motion  Debate – NOT ALL MOTIONS ARE DEBATABLE!  Voting

Common RHA Motions  To Amend – May not interrupt a Speaker, Requires a Second – Must be worded exactly  If you need some assistance, go ahead and ask! We’re here to help you! – Refer to Chapter 2 in “Robert’s Rules: The RHA Way” in your binders

Common Motions, cont.  Calling the Previous Question – Obtain the floor, and say “Call the Question”  There’s been enough debate  Pretty much everyone’s ready to move on  If there’s any Objection, debate will continue  Moving the Previous Question – Obtain the floor, and say “I move the Previous Question”  There’s been enough debate  At least 2/3 of the people are ready to vote  Voting to Vote on the Question

Did your mom ever tell you…  Points of Order, Information, Clarification, & Personal Privilege – Order: When the Rules have been breached – Information: Offering a pertinent and germane fact to the discussion. – Clarification: Clarify something you said that may sound confusing. – Personal Privilege: Something relating to the privileges of members, such as room conditions

Meeting Protocol & Debate  Pick up the papers from your folder! – Agenda, Bills, RHA Today, Voting Cards promptly  Start promptly at 7 PM!  Agenda Items – Roll Call – Intro of Guests – Presentations – Committee Reports – New Business – Reps of the Body – Officers’ Reports  E-Board  Reps to the Body  General Assembly – Old Business – Discussion – Approval of the Minutes – Roll Call

Protocol & Decorum  “Behave, baby! Yeah!” – Always be respectful of others! – Personal attacks and Cross-Debate will be gaveled  Keep your speeches germane!  Avoid using names in debate  Two speeches per Question per Day  You may only yield the floor to another representative for a question. – You may NOT give them the floor for debate purposes!

The Joy of Cards!  If you want to speak in favor… – GREEN CARD  If you want to speak in opposition… – RED CARD  If you agree with the current speaker… – ORANGE CARD  If you are lost or confused… – BLUE CARD – Blue cards are not meant for Points of Info During Debate of a Question…

Vote, Voting, Voted  When the Previous Question is ordered, debate is cut off, and Tim will take the vote on the pending Question(s). – Viva Voce: By voice – Division: Raise cards in the air, or stand up – Yeas and Nays: Calling the Roll, or Presenting Cards  Also known as Roll Call vote

Voting, cont.  Tim will almost always call for viva voce. – If he’s in doubt, or if you disagree with his call, yell out “Division!” – Tim will direct you to either raise the appropriate card in the air, or ask you to rise from your seat.  If you want to put individual votes on record, you may move for the Yeas and Nays. – Rise, and say “Mr. President, on that I request the Yeas and Nays.” – You’ll need a second and a majority vote – The vote may NOT be by the Yeas and Nays!

Attendance: We want to see your smiling face!  Must be present for both roll calls to be deemed “present” for the meeting  Absences/Leaving Earlies must be cleared with Secretary Dave Warden or your committee chair.  Two excused absences PER SEMESTER  Penalties will be swift and harsh… BWA HA HA!

What? You weren’t here?!  1 st Unexcused: from me.  2 nd Unexcused: Letter from me. – CC’ed to your President and Advisor.  3 rd Unexcused: Meeting with me. – No organization within your hall (like Caucuses) can receive funds until regular attendance is resumed.  4 th Unexcused: Suspended voting rights. – You may not offer motions or vote – Must attend 3 consecutive meetings, & have attendance form signed by me/committee chair.

Resources  ME! John Sturk, IVP –  RHA Constitution/Bylaws  Robert’s Rules: The RHA Way  National Assoc. of Parliamentarians –  Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 11 th Edition

Summary  Motions  Meeting Protocol & Debate  Voting  Attendance Policies

Questions?