Parliamentary Procedure

What is Parliamentary Procedure? It’s a set of rules used to conduct meetings It allows everyone to be heard and to make decisions without confusion Respects the rights of the minority and carries out the will of the majority

Why study Parliamentary Procedure and Debate? Time-tested method of conducting business Many people in ag. Serve on or speak before boards and commissions FFA meetings use parli pro Prepare students for job interviews Learn to think logically and see both sides of issues Compete in a sectional contest

Where did Parliamentary Procedure come from? Originated in the English Parliament Came to America with first settlers Henry M. Robert published first manual on Parliamentary law in 1876 Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised is a basic handbook for most groups

How does Parli Pro work in a meeting? Meeting usually require a “quorum” Meetings begin with an agenda Members must be “recognized” by chairman Main motions introduce the subject to be discussed Motions need “seconds” Everyone speaks that wants too.

How is a Main Motion presented? Member must be recognized by the chairman Main Motions: Contain the proposal only, no debate Are introduced with the words “I move” Are discussed one at a time Require a second Do not contain the word “should” Entitle their maker to first debate Cannot be negative Are debatable require a majority vote to pass

Voting on a Motion The method of voting will depend on the situation. By Voice Chairperson asks those in favor of the motion to say “aye” and those opposed to say “nay” By Show of Hands Members raise their hands as an alternative to a voice vote. Does not have to be counted

Voting on a Motion By Roll Call Each person’s name is read and each member says “yes” or “no” By Ballot Each person writes their vote on a piece of paper. This method insures secrecy and the President can vote when this method is used

Voting on a motion By General Consent When a motion does not appear to have any opposition, the chairperson says, “If there is no objection, pauses, then the motion passes.” If someone says “I object” then the motion is put to a vote.

The Parli Pro Graphic Chart What is it? How do I use it?

Postpone Indefinitely “I move to postpone this motion indefinitely” Maker of the PIND must be recognized by the chairman Passing the PIND kills the main motion and avoids a direct vote on the main motion. Requires a second, is debatable, is not amendable and needs a majority vote to pass May debate the Main Motion even though the PIND is on the floor Ranks above the main motion only (see parli pro graphic chart

Amendments Used to modify or change a motion There are four ways to amend a motion: This main motion has been introduced at the chapter meeting. “I move our chapter conduct an over night trip to Disneyland.” Striking Out “I move to amend the main motion by striking out the word overnight.” Striking Out and Inserting “I move to amend the main motion by striking out Disneyland and inserting Magic Mountain.”

Inserting “I move to amend the main motion by inserting between the words chapter and conduct, during Spring Break.” Adding “I move to amend the main motion by adding to the end, and the chapter pay for the motel.”

Amendments Maker of amendment must be recognized by the chairman Requires a second, is amendable and needs a majority vote to pass Must be germane to the motion Only one amendment to the motion is considered at a time Debate is limited to desirability of amendment only Rank above main motion and postpone indefinitely

Refer to a Committee “I move to refer this mater to a committee of five appointed by the chair to report back at our next meeting.” Used to send a pending question to a small group or committee for careful investigation Maker of the referral must be recognized by the chairman Requires a second, is amendable and needs a majority vote to pass Ranks above Main Motion, PIND, and Amendment Debate is restricted to the reasons for making the refer to a committee Usually, referrals should state the method of selection and number on the committee

Postpone Definitely Used to defer action on a motion to a definite day, meeting, hour, or until a certain event “I move to postpone this matter until the next regular meeting” Requires a second, is amendable and needs a majority vote to pass Debate is restricted to why you are postponing this question, not on the merits of the main motion Postponing and making it a special order, requires a two-thirds vote

Lay on the Table Lay on the Table enables the assembly to lay the main motion aside temporarily when something more urgent has arisen. “I move to lay all pending matters on the table.” In most cases, it must be recognized by the chairman Ranks above the main motion, postpone indefinitely, amendment, refer to committee, postpone definitely, and previous question “I move to take this matter from the table.” This motion brings the matter back as if it never left.

Previous Question Used to end debate on pending motion(s) by taking a vote “I move previous question on all pending matters.” Requires a second and two-thirds vote and is not debatable or amendable. * Must be recognized by the chairman

Point of Information Pinf is a request directed to the chairman, or through the chairman for information relevant to the business at hand but not related to Parliamentary Procedure. “I rise to a Point of Information!” Do not have to be recognized by the chairman No vote, second, or debate

Point of Parliamentary Inquiry Point of Parliamentary Inquiry is a question directed to the chair or through the chair to get information on a matter of parliamentary law “I rise to a point of parliamentary inquiry” Do not have to be recognized by the chairman Can be introduced at any time No vote, second, or debate

Point of Order Point of Order is called when a parliamentary procedure mistake has been made “Point of Order, Mr./Madam Chairman!” Do not have to be recognized by the chairman Can be introduced at any time No vote, second or debate

Motion to Adjourn Motion used to close the meeting “I move to adjourn the meeting” Cannot interrupt the speaker but can be introduced at any time. Usually, ranks over all motions Requires a second and majority vote Cannot amend or debate the motion to adjourn