CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE ORIENTATION Florida Physical Therapy Association 2008 Spring Conference April 4, 2008 Bruce J. Anderson, PT Chief Delegate, FPTA

The FPTA Assembly of Representatives: A Professional Democracy In a democratic society, rules ensure freedom and respect for all The FPTA Assembly of Representatives is analogous to other legislative bodies such as Congress or the state legislature The Assembly, formally deliberates policy, has the power to charge the FPTA Board of Directors to carry out activities on behalf of the Chapter

The Chief Representative is a: Symphony conductor who must –Choose the music to be played –Follow a score –Allow each instrument its voice –Blend the voices into music –Bring creativity to the performance The conductor succeeds only with a blend of creativity and well-practiced skills

Necessary Skills Blending of –Communication and –Knowledge of Resources –Access to Resources –Use of Resources

Communication Chief Representative responsible –To represent the needs of member constituents and the profession –To assure cooperation with the polices and procedures of the Assembly of Representatives –Therefore must assure communication with:  Constituents  Assembly Reps  Fellow Chief Assembly Reps  Chapter Board of Directors  FPTA staff  Nominating Committee  Reference Committee

Assembly of Representatives It is the responsibility of the chief assembly representatives to orient ALL district representatives Your contribution will help to shape the development of policies and positions that will direct the Chapters Activities & Budget

Membership in the Assembly of Reps The Assembly is a Representative Body (proportional representation of all members of chapter) Total size is apportioned based on the number of members in the district Reps are elected at the district level based on this apportionment –Serve a year long term

A Professional Democracy The FPTA Assembly of Representatives is analogous to other legislative bodies such as Congress or the state legislature In a democratic society, rules ensure freedom and respect for all

Parliamentary Procedure Assembly Business is conducted using Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised-10 th Edition (RONR)

Robert’s Rules of Order (RONR) Ultimately, it is the majority of reps in the Assembly who decide the general will, but only following the opportunity for a deliberative process of full and free discussion. RONR is not concerned with the wisdom of a specific decision, but the process by which the group arrives at the decision.

Parliamentary Procedure Resources to understand Parliamentary Procedures: Robert’s Rules of Order (text) APTA’s online PowerPoint presentation on Parliamentary Procedure –Developed by Steve Levine, PT, DPT, MSHA, RP, Speaker of the House, APTA –Available through APTA web site: Membership and Leadership> APTA Leadership> House of Delegates> Delegate Materials

Parliamentary Procedure: Quick Review Motion –a formal proposal by a member –before a subject can be considered it must be placed before the assembly in the form of a motion Thirteen Ranking Motions: Lowest to Highest

Assembly Process The merits of a motion may be discussed as long as the deliberative body chooses to discuss it –Discussion should deal with the issue and concept at hand and never question motives or character of an individual After discussion, motion is put to a vote If adopted, motion becomes a chapter policy, position, guideline, or standard, or charge If the motion is defeated, the next order of business is taken up and the process begins again

Assembly Process For most motions, a simple majority vote of those present is necessary for adoption (others may require a 2/3 majority) If a Bylaw change is necessary –Requires 2/3 vote to pass

Assembly Process Voting procedure –For Majority: Voice vote  Rising (standing) vote, if in doubt –2/3 Vote: Rising (standing) vote  Counted Rising vote, if in doubt –Division: If a delegate questions the ruling of the chair in a voice vote  Requires standing (not counted) vote

Assembly Process Main motions, other than bylaw amendments, should direct –A course of action –A chapter stance or point of view –A goal the chapter wishes to achieve In carrying out the actions of the Assembly, the process to achieve the outcome should then be determined by the FPTA BOD

Parliamentary Procedure RONR: The Basics Ranking Motions Main Motion Subsidiary Motions Privileged Motions Procedure for Handling a Main Motion Process of Amending Incidental Motions Motions that Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly Motions Arising out of Committee Reports Forms of Voting Previous Notice Bylaws Standing Rules Meeting vs. Session

RONR: Ranking Motions Thirteen (13) Ranking Motions So named because they have rank and are the only ones with rank A lower ranking motion may not be made when a higher ranking motion is pending Pending is the term used when a motion has been stated by the chair and is being discussed Lowest rank: Main Motion Highest Rank: Fix The Time To Which To Adjourn

RONR: 13 Ranking Motions  Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn  Adjourn  Recess  Raise a Question of Privilege  Call for the Orders of the Day  Lay on the Table  Previous Question  Limit or Extend the Limits of Debate  Postpone to a Certain Time (Postpone Definitely)  Commit or Refer  Amend  Postpone Indefinitely  Main Motion

Questions to be Addressed for Main Motions, Incidental Motions, and Motions that bring a question again before the assembly  Can someone wishing to make this motion interrupt someone who already has the floor?  Does this motion require a second in order to be heard?  Is this motion debatable?  Is this motion amendable?  What kind of vote does it take to pass this motion?  Can the motion, as passed or failed, be reconsidered at a later time?

RONR: Main Motion Rank = 13  In order when another has the floor: No  Requires a Second: Yes  Debatable: Yes  Amendable: Yes  Vote required for adoption: Majority Exceptions: Main motions that require a 2/3 vote  Motion to adopt or suspend rules of order  Amend something previously adopted without notice  Amend bylaws  Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes

RONR: Subsidiary Motions A subsidiary motion assists the assembly in treating or disposing of a main motion and sometimes of other motions A form of secondary motion

RONR: Subsidiary Motions Postpone Indefinitely Rank: 12 Purpose: To kills the main motion and avoid a direct vote on the question Criteria:  In order when another has the floor: No  Requires a Second: Yes  Debatable: Yes  Debate can go into the merits of the main question  Amendable: No  Vote required for adoption: Majority  Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes  Only if the vote was in the affirmative

RONR: Subsidiary Motions Amend Rank: 11 Purpose: To modify the wording and (somewhat) the meaning of a pending question Criteria:  In order when another has the floor: No  Requires a Second: Yes  Debatable: Yes  Only when the question to which it applies is debatable  Amendable: Yes  Unless pending question is a secondary amendment  Vote required for adoption: Majority  Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes

RONR: Subsidiary Motions Commit or Refer Rank: 10 Purpose: To send a pending question to a relatively small group (Board, Committee, etc.) so that the question may be carefully investigated and put into better condition for the assembly to consider Criteria:  In order when another has the floor: No  Requires a Second: Yes  Debatable: Yes  Amendable: Yes  Vote required for adoption: Majority  Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes  Only if the committee has not begun consideration of the question referred

RONR: Subsidiary Motions Postpone to a Certain Time (Postpone Definitely) Rank: 9 Purpose: To put off action on a pending question, within limits, to a definite day, meeting, or hour, or until after a certain event Criteria:  In order when another has the floor: No  Requires a Second: Yes  Debatable: Yes  Amendable: Yes  Vote required for adoption: Majority  Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes

RONR: Subsidiary Motions Limit or Extend Limits of Debate Rank: 8 Purpose: To exercise special control over debate on a pending question or in a series of pending questions Criteria:  In order when another has the floor: No  Requires a Second: Yes  Debatable: No  Amendable: Yes  Vote required for adoption: Two-Thirds (2/3)  Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes

RONR: Subsidiary Motions Previous Question Rank: 7 Purpose: 1) To bring the assembly to an immediate vote; 2)To close debate, and 3)To stop amendment of the immediately pending question and such other questions as the motion may specify Criteria:  In order when another has the floor: No  Requires a Second: Yes  Debatable: No  Amendable: No  Vote required for adoption: Two-Thirds (2/3)  Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes  Can be reconsidered before any vote has been taken under the order for the previous question

RONR: Subsidiary Motions Lay on the Table Rank: 6 Purpose: To lay the pending question aside temporarily when something else of immediate urgency has arisen Criteria:  In order when another has the floor: No  Requires a Second: Yes  Debatable: No  Amendable: No  Vote required for adoption: Majority  Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: No

RONR: Incidental Motions No Rank Point of Information A request directed to the chair, or through the chair to another officer or member, for information relevant to the business at hand but not related to parliamentary procedure Point of Order When a member thinks the rules of the assembly are being violated, this is used to call upon the chair for a ruling enforcing the rules Request for Permission to Withdraw a Motion Required after the motion to which it pertains has been stated by the chair as pending

RONR: Procedure for Handling a Main Motion  Obtaining and assigning the floor  A member rises when no one else has the floor and addresses the chair  The Chair recognizes the member by announcing his name or title

RONR: Procedure for Handling a Main Motion  How the motion is brought before the assembly  The member makes the motion (“I move that…..”)  Another member, without needing to rise, seconds the motion (“I second the motion”, or “second”)  The chair states the question on the motion (“It is moved and seconded that…”)

RONR: Procedure for Handling a Main Motion  Consideration of the motion  Members can debate the motion  Before speaking in debate, members obtain the floor  The maker of the motion has first right to the floor if he claims it promptly  All remarks must be addressed to the chair  Debate must be confined to the merits of the motion  Debate can be closed only by order of the assembly (2/3 vote) or by the chair if no one seeks the floor for further debate

RONR: Procedure for Handling a Main Motion  Consideration of the motion  The chair puts the question (puts it to a vote)  The chair asks: “Are you ready for the question?”  If no one rises to claim the floor, the chair proceeds to put the question  The chair states:  “The question is on the adoption of the motion that….”  “As many as are in favor, say ‘Aye’  “Those opposed say ‘No’.”  The chair announces the result of the vote

RONR: Process of Amending The adoption of the motion to amend does not adopt the motion thereby amended; that motion remains pending in its modified form A member’s vote on an amendment does not obligate him to vote on a particular way on the motion to which the amendment applies An amendment must always be germane— that is, closely related to or having a bearing on the subject of the motion to be amended

RONR: Process of Amending There are three basic processes of amendment, the third of which is an indivisible combination of the first two:  To insert or add  To insert words, or if they are placed at the end of the sentence or passage being amended, to add words (or a paragraph)  To strike out  To strike out words or a paragraph  To strike out and insert, or to substitute  To strike out and insert applies to words  To substitute applies to striking out an entire paragraph, or the entire text of a main motion, and inserting another

RONR: Forms of Voting Voice Vote –The most commonly used form of voting –Chair puts the question and calls for the “Aye” votes and “No” votes Rising Vote –The normal method of voting on motions requiring a two-thirds vote for adoption. –Used to verify a voice vote –Can be ordered by the chair, or by a single member who calls for a “Division” of the assembly Counted Vote –Can be ordered by the chair or ordered by a majority vote of the assembly

RONR: Previous Notice Requirement of previous notice means the announcement that the motion will be introduced, including its exact content, must be included in the call of the meeting Motions that have the effect of changing or nullifying the previous action of the assembly require previous notice if they are to be adopted by only a majority vote The adoption or amendment of bylaws or special rules of order require previous notice and a two-thirds vote The notice becomes invalid if the motion is amended beyond the scope of the notice

RONR: Bylaws Bylaws have an important bearing on the rights and duties of members within the organization, and on the degree to which the general membership is to retain control of, or be relieved of detailed concern with, the society’s business. Except as the rules of a society may provide otherwise, its assembly has full and sole power to act for the entire organization, and does so by majority vote Any limitation or standing delegation of the assembly’s power with respect to the society as a whole can only be by provision in the bylaws Bylaws should be made no more restrictive nor more detailed in specification than necessary

RONR: Bylaws Bylaws and special rules of order (which deal with parliamentary procedure) contain the provisions of a society that are expected to have stability from session to session, and to represent the judgment of the whole society as distinguished from the members voting at any one session These bylaws and rules require both –Previous Notice, and –Two-Thirds vote for amendment Rules of order require a two-thirds vote for suspension Bylaws cannot be suspended

Assembly Logistics Be in the room early so that business may begin on time Assure you have been recognized when seeking to speak Provide copies of motions/ amendments on NCR paper to the Speaker and Secretary ahead of time

Assembly Logistics The Speaker makes an attempt to alternate debate between opposing viewpoints so that discussion can flow and all views may be heard For most motions, a majority vote of those present is necessary to adopt a motion (others require 2/3) If adopted, the motion becomes an Association position, policy, guideline, or standard. If the motion is defeated, the next order of business is taken up and the process begins again

Assembly Logistics The Speaker of the Assembly (Speaker) conducts the proceedings of the Assembly in accordance with Chapter and Association Bylaws, Standing Rules and our parliamentary authority The merits of a motion may be discussed as long as the deliberative body chooses to discuss it.

“Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of liberty.” …..Henry M. Robert

THANK YOU!!