Effective Senates Machiavelli’s Imaginary Tightrope Patricia James Hanz Wheeler North

Where Are We Going? General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order The Brown and Bagley-Keene Acts Agendas and Minutes Rely Primarily Vs Mutually Agree General Do’s and Don’ts Some Scenarios

General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order Gen. Robert’s first rule – if you don’t need this book put it back on the shelf. While they do tend to promote order their sole purpose is to??? Assure the right of the minority to have voice. The majority will always carry the vote.

General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order Consensus is always desired but when this fails General Robert rules... The consensus process is one: where there is professional dialogue amongst all parties a general acceptance of the course of action is achieved This process tends to not work very well in larger groups.

General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order When professional dialogue and/or consensus is unobtainable then resort to the formal Rules of Order. All action revolves around Main Motions. Actions are any decision made by the body All subsidiary motions effect the main motion or they clarify the issue. Read the book, and review it regularly.

General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order In general, the bigger the group the more formal it needs to be. Presidential Votes they can anytime, but usually don’t if called upon to break a tie let the motion die as there is no clear majority President steps down to debate the issue

General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order The most common abuse: The use of a motion to table is out of order unless there is a specific reason the body can’t act on the main motion. It denies the right of the minority to have voice because it is not debatable.

General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order Resolutions Are a main motion put into a fancy format. Are no different than any other main motion. Are used to provide a public formal statement of action, position, or recommendation.

The Brown and Bagley-Keene Acts In general these two Acts are the same in spirit The Brown applies to local Boards and their agents, the Bagley-Keene applies to the statewide Boards and their agents The public has right to access to these deliberative processes. The processes can’t be done when the public’s access is prevented.

The Brown and Bagley-Keene Acts This makes for some inefficiencies. all sessions must be noticed and open serial meetings and can’t be used body can meet socially but can’t discuss business applies to all subsidiary bodies who would normally effect the primary elected body’s action  Curriculum meeting YES, Dept meeting NO

The Brown and Bagley-Keene Acts Only exceptions for closed meetings are employee/personnel issues and sensitive legal or negotiated issues. personnel exception does not include the elected members Is what requires an introduction and second read of all actions.

Agendas and Minutes Keep it simple Date, time and place of meeting Approval of agenda and minutes* Reports Old business, new business Adjourn

Agendas and Minutes Reports are very useful to engage with the body in a way that prevents deliberation. Leave space on your agenda and make notes as the meeting progresses. Don’t chair a meeting and be the note taker, always delegate this. It’s a conflict of interest.

Agendas and Minutes *Minutes – under Robert’s Rules approval is not required, but it’s a good idea to formally “accept” them. Any member can move to change any minutes any time, in perpetuity. Minutes should record what was done. They do not need to record every word and in fact should refrain from quoting unless there’s a specific reason.

Agendas and Minutes Minutes should follow the agenda’s format. Sound comprehensive record keeping is the bane of many senates. Continuity in Senate officers and in Senate staff is often weak. Web-based archiving is becoming the cool tool for archiving.

Rely Primarily Vs Mutually Agree First things first – The Academic Senate is the legal voice for all faculty in the 11 areas. Two primary issues arise from this: Admin will make decisions based upon other faculty input. Senate President is always weighing autonomy against a seeking formal Senate position.

Rely Primarily Vs Mutually Agree AB 1725 provided for local Boards and Senates to establish their own process. The decision process for the 10+1 areas can be any combination of “Rely Primarily” or “Mutually Agree”.

Rely Primarily Vs Mutually Agree Rely primarily means the Board will act as advised by the Senate unless a condition of fiscal or legal hardship exists. If they don’t for the above reasons they must put it in writing and note in the minutes the Senate’s objections.

Rely Primarily Vs Mutually Agree Mutually agree means remain at status quo until the Board and the Senate mutually agree. AB 1725 only provided for primacy in the establishment of processes. Such establishing should include granting primacy in the actual decision making. In all cases neither party can make a change without mutual agreement.

Rely Primarily Vs Mutually Agree If the Board fails any of the above responses the next recourse is a technical visit. These can happen in 4 forms but all require mutual endorsement by both the Senate and the Board.

General Do’s and Don’ts You are the voice of the faculty. This is a legal right and obligation. Enthusiasm is contagious Stay on issues and values What’s best for the students? Take nothing personally Model collegiality

General Do’s and Don’ts Delegate authority but be prepared to do it if critical Be visible Be an active listener Value dialogue and debate Be proactive, don’t headbutt

General Do’s and Don’ts Be prepared, know your stuff, practice it if necessary. Avoid secrets and surprises Bombing, while fun usually comes back to haunt you. Utilize monthly and annual goals and summaries – self review regularly.

General Do’s and Don’ts Your attitude is always your choice and it’s always infectious. Be inclusive in all things. Make regular reports at Board meetings. Particularly items of student success. Meet regularly with all administrators.

General Do’s and Don’ts Walk your troops – visit every faculty you can, particularly those you don’t know. Say “Thank You” often in many ways.

General Do’s and Don’ts Beware of divide and conquer tactics. Never go it alone. particularly with those who tend to edit reality Know when to disengage. Go to every ASCCC function and become enlightened!

General Do’s and Don’ts Never talk to the press off the cuff. Make an appointment and then get prepared, talk to your Exec. Work closely with your Faculty Bargaining Agents There are times where the two bodies should disagree, so no sleeping with them.

Some Scenarios The bean counters want a four week winter intersession to make base FTES. The local Senate has a pedagogy based position against 3 or more unit courses in the four week format but some faculty want to teach these classes online. Students want it as well.

Some Scenarios