Parliamentary Procedure: Introduction Lesson One

General History of Parliamentary Procedure Parliamentary Procedure arose from the early days of English Parliamentary Law. Formalized by an individual named General Henry M. Roberts a 19 th century US Army engineer.

Basic Principles of Parliamentary Procedure The right of the majority to rule The right of the minority to be heard The equal right of each individual to be heard and represented

Meaning of Simple Majority This means 51% or more – the rule of simple majority When more than a simple majority is required the minority is given the opportunity to defeat the majority. Since the primary objective is to determine the will of the majority and execute its will, a simple majority must be used.

Equal Rights & Guarantees of Parliamentary Procedure Business is transacted in most efficient and democratic manner. All members have equal rights, privileges, and obligations

Equal Rights & Guarantees Guarantees right of majority to decide The rights of the minority are respected by Parliamentary Procedure. The right to be heard and oppose are rights of the minority. Simplest and most direct route to accomplish the will of the majority should by employed. Each member has an equal right to propose a motion, debate, ask for information, and vote.

Equal Rights & Guarantees Definite guidelines regarding motions; guarantees that each question is fully discussed. All motions have a definite order and precedence Only one question can be considered at one time Any motion restricting the rights of members to speak or vote must be passed by a 2/3 vote.

AGENDA Order of business

Usual Agenda Includes: 1.Call to order (Chair) 2.Taking roll (Secretary) 3.Reading minutes of previous meeting 4.Treasurer’s report 5.Report of officers 6.Standing committee reports

Usual Agenda Includes (cont): 7.Special committee reports 8.Unfinished business 9.New business 10.Program (Optional) 11.Adjournment *Note: Agenda is decided in advance of the meeting by the Chair.

Officers President, Chair, Chairman, Presiding Officer Secretary Treasurer Historian Parliamentarian Sergeant at Arms

Rules of a Club Constitution – basic rules guiding a club Name of the club Purpose Requirements of membership Officers and how to elect Time and place of meetings Ways of changing anything by amendment Bylaws

Parliamentary Procedure: Lesson II Development of Meeting Skills

Parliamentary Procedure Obtaining the Floor Stand, address the Chair, receive recognition Introducing Business (Making a Motion) Stand, “I move that…”, statement must receive a 2 nd, sets motion before debate, prepare for vote

Rules of Debate Every member has a right to speak on every debatable motion All discussion pertains to the question at hand While debate is in progress, amendments can be introduced Debate cannot last longer than 10 minutes unless assembly votes otherwise

Rules of Debate No member can speak twice on the same motion No member can attack or question the motives of another member The maker of the motion, although allowed to vote against the motion, is not allowed to speak against it The presenter of the motion may be the first person to debate

Amendments After the chair has restated a motion, the only way to change the motion would be by an amendment. Amendments are made by adding, deleting, or changing. Only two amendments may be pending on a main motion at any time (primary or secondary – or First or Second Degree)

Amendments Amendments are made in the same way as for any main motion. The secondary amendment may be made to the primary amendment. Amendments must be germane to the question under consideration.

Voting A majority decides, unless special rules apply, Voice vote, unless otherwise provided for If the presiding officer is a member of the assembly, he or she can vote as any other member does when the vote is by ballot. Any member may request a division of the assembly if there is uncertainty as to the true result of the vote

Types of Votes Voice rising vote or showing hands call vote ballot vote general consent plurality vs. majority vote null and void division of assembly

Parliamentary Procedure Lesson III

Motions Bring business to the assembly in an orderly manner Types of motions: main motions, subsidiary, privileged, motions that bring a question again before the assembly, incidental Motions are ranked (Privileged-highest, Subsidiary-next highest, Main & Incidental-no rank) Motions begin with the words, “I move that…”

Motions Motions are short and to the point-no discussion or excessive description is needed. Only one motion can be considered at a time.

Ranked Motions Main motion – introduces all business Subsidiary motion – have to do with another motion (modify the motion, delay action on it, or dispose of it) Privileged motion – have to do with conduction of the meeting itself and have to do with such emergency that they interrupt everything else.

Ranked Motions Incidental motion – deal with questions of procedure and arise out of other motions or items of business

Main Motions Requires a second. If not received, the motion dies. Are debatable Are amendable Require a majority vote May be reconsidered Cannot interrupt the speaker

Subsidiary Motions Lay on the Table Delay action on another motion because something more important has arisen Requires a second Is not debatable Is not amendable Cannot be reconsidered Cannot interrupt another speaker

Subsidiary Motions Previous Question Requires a second Is not debatable Is not amendable Passed by a 2/3 vote Cannot interrupt another speaker State “I move the previous question.”

Subsidiary Motions Postpone Definitely Defers action on another motion to a specific day, place, and time Requires a second Is not debatable Is amendable 2/3 vote required because it restricts May be reconsidered Cannot interrupt one who has the floor

Subsidiary Motions Commit or Refer Gives a motion more detailed attention or permits it to be handled privately Requires a second Is debatable Is amendable Majority vote required May be reconsidered Cannot interrupt one who has the floor

Subsidiary Motions Amendments Requires a second Is debatable if main motion is debatable Amendment of the first degree may be amended by amendment of the second degree Second degree amendments cannot be amended

Subsidiary Motions Amendments Related to motion pending Majority vote required May be reconsidered only until the main motion is adopted, otherwise whole main motion may be reconsidered May not interrupt one who has the floor

Subsidiary Motions Postpone Indefinitely Requires a second Is debatable Not amendable Majority vote required Cannot be reconsidered Cannot interrupt one who has the floor

Privileged Motions Adjourn Terminates the meeting “I move that we adjourn.” Requires a second Not debatable Not amendable Majority vote required Cannot be reconsidered or interrupt the one who has the floor

Privileged Motions Recess Requires a second Not debatable Not amendable Majority vote required Cannot be reconsidered Cannot interrupt the one who has the floor

Reconsider Allows a question previously disposed of to come again before the assembly as if it had not been considered. Requires a second Is debatable only if the original motion to be reconsidered is debatable Not amendable Majority vote required Cannot be reconsidered or interrupt another speaker with the floor

Rescind Voids a motion previously passed Requires a second Is debatable and amendable Simply majority if prior notice given, or if not 2/3 vote Only a negative vote can be reconsidered Cannot interrupt a speaker who has the floor

Incidental Motions Point of Information: wants facts about the business at hand (“I rise to a point of information,” and can happen at any time) Parliamentary Inquiry: requests chair’s opinion Division of Assembly: calls for verification when a member doubts the accuracy of a voice vote Withdraw a Motion: permits a member to remove his or her question from consideration even after the motion has been restated by the Chair Point of Order: Challenges an error in procedure and requires a ruling by the Chair.