Practicing Parliamentary Procedure How can I survive a formal meeting?

Parts of a Main Motion: Part 1: Propose your idea –Always starts with “I move …”

Parts of a Main Motion: Part 2: Second the motion: –Get on record as supporting motion. –Puts the motion to a vote.

Parts of a Main Motion: Part 3: Debate: –Raise concerns about the motion. –Persuade others to vote one way or another. –Provide information about motion.

Rules of Debate Obtain the floor and be recognized by the chair before speaking –How does this help meet the purposes of Parliamentary Procedure? Able to speak twice on a motion –Second time should be after everyone who wishes to speak has already spoken once Can speak up to 10 minutes each time

Rules of Debate Debate is always germane to the motion –Can we debate a main motion if there is an amendment on the table? Speakers must address all remarks to the chair –How does addressing the chair, instead of someone you agree or disagree with, help keep order in a meeting?

Rules of Debate Speakers are always courteous and never attack other members in the assembly Speakers refer to officers by title, not by name when speaking –How do these rules of debate lend to the fairness of Parliamentary Procedure?

Rules of Debate When debating a motion, the member begins by saying, “I speak for the motion” or “I speak against the motion” and then states the specific reasons why. The member who makes the motion can’t speak against his own motion, but can vote against it. –The person who seconds the motion can speak and vote against it

Let’s Try It! Debate: –Need an idea? Try your: Float your boat card Grinds your gear card –Remember to state if you are for or against the motion 1 st !

Parts of a Main Motion: Part 4 Vote: –Chair announces if the motion passes or fails

Motions Table Don’t lose it Bring it to each class Helps to keep you organized!

Main Motions WHY WE USE IT: –Introduce new business INTERRUPT? –No

Main Motions REQUIRES: Second - Debatable - Amendable - Vote Type - REQUIRES: Second - Yes Debatable - Yes Amendable - Yes Vote Type - Majority

Main Motions HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move to…” –“I move that…”

Amend WHY WE USE IT: –To amend a motion: allows for changes to a motion to appease both sides or improve the motion. –No more than 2 amendments can be considered at one time. INTERRUPT? –No

Amend REQUIRES: Second - Yes Debatable - Yes Amendable - Yes Vote Type - Majority

Amend HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move to amend the motion by… Inserting _____ Striking out ______ or Adding _____”

Adjourn WHY WE USE IT: –To end the meeting immediately INTERRUPT? –No

Adjourn REQUIRES: Second - Yes Debatable - No Amendable - No Vote Type - Majority

Adjourn HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move to adjourn the meeting” –“I move that we adjourn the meeting”

Rise to Parliamentary Inquiry WHY WE USE IT: –To ask about a rule of Parli Pro: check on parliamentary questions, or ask how to carry out a parliamentary ability INTERRUPT? –Yes

REQUIRES: Second - No Debatable - No Amendable - No Vote Type – None: Chair addresses Rise to Parliamentary Inquiry

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I rise to a question of parliamentary inquiry”

Rise to a Point of Order WHY WE USE IT: –Correct parliamentary errors. INTERRUPT? –Yes

REQUIRES: Second - No Debatable - No Amendable - No Vote Type – None: Chair addresses Rise to a Point of Order

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I rise to a point of order” –“Point of order”

Let’s Try Some! Main Motion Amend Rise to Parliamentary Inquiry Rise to a Point of Order Adjourn

Raise a Question of Privilege WHY WE USE IT: –Secures comfort/convenience for members Heat, noise, etc. INTERRUPT? –Yes Personal Privilege which only impacts the speaker.

REQUIRES: Second - No Debatable - No Amendable - No Vote Type – None: Chair addresses Raise a Question of Privilege

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I rise to a question of privilege”

Refer to Committee WHY WE USE IT: –Assign main motion to a committee. INTERRUPT? –No

Refer to Committee Reasons for referring to a committee: –Gather more information –Act on a motion Two types of committees: –Standing –Ad Hoc, or special committee appointed by the chair.

REQUIRES: Second - Yes Debatable - Yes Amendable - Yes Vote Type – Majority Refer to Committee

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move to refer the matter to committee” –“I move to refer the matter to a committee of # appointed by the chair”

Limit/ Extend Debate WHY WE USE IT: –Limits or extends debate to allow less or more speakers or time INTERRUPT? –No

REQUIRES: Second - Yes Debatable - No Amendable - Yes Vote Type – 2/3 Limit/ Extend Debate

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move to limit debate to one more comment” –I move to extend debate by two minutes”

Call for Previous Question WHY WE USE IT: –Move to vote immediately Ends debate & amendments INTERRUPT? –No

REQUIRES: Second - Yes Debatable - No Amendable - No Vote Type – 2/3 Call for Previous Question

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move the previous question”

Division of the House/ Assembly WHY WE USE IT: –Verify a voice vote via a rising vote Requires countable vote, if voice vote was announced incorrectly by chair. –Can only be called for after vote has been announced. INTERRUPT? –Yes

REQUIRES: Second - No Debatable - No Amendable - No Vote Type – None: Chair retakes vote (rising) Division of the House/ Assembly

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I call for a division” –“Division” or “Divide”

Recess WHY WE USE IT: – Call a break or intermission in a meeting. INTERRUPT? –No

REQUIRES: Second - Yes Debatable - No Amendable – Yes, but only to time Vote Type - Majority Recess

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move that we recess for …”

Let’s Try Some More! Raise A Question of Priviledge Refer To Committee Limit/ Extend Debate Previous Question Division of the House/ Assembly Recess

Lay on the Table WHY WE USE IT: – Suspend consideration of something Delays motion briefly until taken from the table INTERRUPT? –No

REQUIRES: Second - Yes Debatable - No Amendable - No Vote Type - Majority Lay on the Table

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move to table the motion” BONUS: Time frame? Same meeting? Next meeting?

Take From the Table WHY WE USE IT: –Take up a matter previously tabled INTERRUPT? –No

REQUIRES: Second - Yes Debatable - No Amendable - No Vote Type - Majority Take From the Table

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move to take from the table …”

Postpone Definitely WHY WE USE IT: – Delays motion to a certain time. INTERRUPT?

REQUIRES: Second - Yes Debatable - Yes Amendable - Yes Vote Type - Majority Postpone Definitely

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move to postpone definitely… must state time frame.”

Postpone Indefinitely WHY WE USE IT: –Kills motion without a direct vote. INTERRUPT? –No

REQUIRES: Second - Yes Debatable - Yes Amendable - No Vote Type - Majority Postpone Indefinitely

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move to postpone indefinitely…”

Withdraw a Motion WHY WE USE IT: –Retracts motion proposed. –Can only be moved by member of proposed motion being withdrawn. See footnote --  INTERRUPT?

REQUIRES: Nothing. If chair asks for objections and there is none, withdraw stands Second - Debatable - Amendable - No Vote Type - If there’s an objection a majority vote is needed Withdraw a Motion

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move to withdraw the motion…” Leave to Withdraw or Modify a Motion. 1 A request for leave to withdraw a motion, or a motion to grant such leave, may be made at any time before voting on the question has commenced, even though the motion has been amended. It requires no second. It may be made while incidental or subsidiary motions are pending, and these motions cease to be before the assembly when the question to which they are incidental or subsidiary is withdrawn. It yields to privileged motions, and cannot be amended or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it. It is undebatable. 1 When a motion is withdrawn, the effect is the same as if it had never been made. Until a motion is stated by the chairman, the mover may withdraw or modify it without asking consent of any one. If he modifies it the seconder may withdraw his second. After the question has been stated it is in possession of the assembly, and he can neither withdraw nor modify it without the consent of the assembly.

Suspend the Rules WHY WE USE IT: –Suspend the rules temporarily. –Make exceptions to by-laws of organization’s constitution. INTERRUPT? –No

REQUIRES: Second - Yes Debatable - No Amendable - No Vote Type – 2/3 Suspend the Rules

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move to suspend the rules so that …”

Reconsider WHY WE USE IT: – Reconsider a hasty action INTERRUPT? –Yes

REQUIRES: Second - Yes Debatable - Amendable - No Vote Type - Majority Reconsider

HOW TO SAY IT: –“I move to reconsider the vote on …”

Reconsider Correct ill-advised or erroneous action. Member who moves to reconsider must have been on prevailing side of motion being reconsidered. Requires: –Second –Debatable –NON-Amendable –Majority Vote

Let’s Try Even More!! Lay on the Table Take From the Table Postpone Indefinitely Postpone Definitely Suspend the Rules Withdraw a Motion Reconsider

How do we get things done? Moving Main Motions Using subsidiary motions Using privileged motions Using incidental motions Using unclassified motions

Privileged motions Motions that fulfill individual needs or the interest of the group individually. Motions do not pertain directly to the business being discussed.

Privileged Motions Include the following: –Fix Time to Which to Adjourn –Adjourn –Recess –Raise a Question of Privilege –Call for Orders of the Day

Subsidiary Motions Motions that alter, change or dispose of main motions.

Subsidiary Motions Include the following: –Lay on the Table –Call for Previous Question –Postpone Definitely –Refer to a Committee –Amend –Postpone Indefinitely

Incidental Motions Motions that: –Correct ill-advised actions –Correct improper use of parliamentary procedure.

Incidental Motions Include the following: –Object to the Consideration of Question –Appeal from the Decision of the Chair –Rise to a Point of Order –Withdraw a Motion –Suspend the Rules –Call for Division of the House –Rise to Parliamentary Inquiry

Unclassified Motions Motions that do not fit other parliamentary categories Motions usually pertain to actions already taken at previous meetings.

Unclassified Motions Include the Following: –Reconsider –Rescind –Take from the Table

Others

Object to the Consideration of Question Stops offensive or inappropriate measures. Requires: –NO Second –Non-Debatable –Non-Amendable –Two-thirds Vote

Appeal from the Decision of the Chair Allows members to overrule chair Requires: –Second –Debatable only if motion being overruled was debatable –NON-Amendable –Majority Vote

Fix Time to Which to Adjourn Set date and time to adjourn meeting Requires: –Second –NON-Debatable –Amendable –Majority Vote

Call for Orders of the Day Demand compliance with agenda, or seek information on order or agenda. Requires: –Nothing. Addressed by chair when posed by member.

Rescind Revoke or nullify previous action. Requires: –Second –Debatable –Amendable –Two-thirds Vote