Parliamentary Procedure Agricultural Communication and Leadership

Parliamentary Procedure A set of rules that permits people to work together effectively in groups A set of rules that permits people to work together effectively in groups Majority rules Majority rules – More than half of the members present – Minorities are heard and respected Parliamentary Procedure is based on common sense and courtesy Parliamentary Procedure is based on common sense and courtesy

References Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised Parliamentary Procedure Instructional Materials Center: Parliamentary Procedure Instructional Materials Center: – Shane Dunbar,

Purposes of Parliamentary Procedure Permits groups to transact business with speed & efficiency Permits groups to transact business with speed & efficiency – Meetings are to be run professionally Safeguard the rights of each individual Safeguard the rights of each individual – Let free speech flourish! Perpetuate a spirit of harmony Perpetuate a spirit of harmony – Meetings are less frustrating & stay on-issue

Principles of Parliamentary Procedure One subject at a time One subject at a time – A main motion must be disposed of before another is introduced One speaker at a time One speaker at a time – Remarks must pertain to the motion Every member has identical rights Every member has identical rights Business must be carried out … majority rules Business must be carried out … majority rules A quorum must be present A quorum must be present – More than half of the overall membership Each proposition is entitled to full & free debate Each proposition is entitled to full & free debate – Each member may debate 2 times, 10 minutes each per motion

Principles of Parliamentary Procedure A majority vote is required to pass motions A majority vote is required to pass motions A 2/3 vote is required to deprive members of rights A 2/3 vote is required to deprive members of rights – Change the rules, Change debate – Cut off debate (Previous Question) – Close nominations Personal remarks (name calling) are out of order… Debate issues, not the proposer Personal remarks (name calling) are out of order… Debate issues, not the proposer Once an issue is settled, it may not be brought up again in the same form or at the same meeting Once an issue is settled, it may not be brought up again in the same form or at the same meeting

The Use of the Gavel 1 Tap 1 Tap – Sit down – Closes business 2 Taps 2 Taps – Open the meeting 3 Taps 3 Taps – Stand up Multiple taps calls for order / attention Multiple taps calls for order / attention

The Formal Debate Gain the attention of the chair Gain the attention of the chair 1.“I support/do not support this motion” 2.Give your reasons 3.Encourage others to vote likewise (see handout of opening and closing statements) NO … NO … “I think” “It is a good idea” “I think it is a good idea”

Main Motions – Bring business before the assembly. “I move to/that …” NOT “I make a motion to …”

Unanimous Consent In order to save time & effort, the chair may evoke unanimous consent. In order to save time & effort, the chair may evoke unanimous consent. “Shall we by unanimous consent pass the motion?” “Are there any objections?” If no objection, the motion is passed If no objection, the motion is passed If one person objects, the rules of order are to be followed. If one person objects, the rules of order are to be followed.

Privileged Motions Deal with special matters of immediate importance Deal with special matters of immediate importance – Fix the time to which to adjourn To set the time/place for another meeting to continue business of the session. To set the time/place for another meeting to continue business of the session. “I move That when the meeting adjourns, It adjourn to meet at 2:00 tomorrow” – Adjourn To close the meeting … To close the meeting … “I move to adjourn”

Privileged Motions Deal with special matters of immediate importance Deal with special matters of immediate importance – Recess A short intermission – business is resumed at the point where it was interrupted. A short intermission – business is resumed at the point where it was interrupted. “I move to recess for 10 minutes” – Raise a question of privilege Permits an urgent request or motion to be brought up. Permits an urgent request or motion to be brought up. “I rise to a question of privilege” – Call for orders of the day Requires the assembly to conform to its agenda Requires the assembly to conform to its agenda “I call for the orders of the day”

Subsidiary Motions Aid the assembly in disposing main motions Aid the assembly in disposing main motions – Lay on the table To lay a pending question aside temporarily. To lay a pending question aside temporarily. “I move to lay the motion on the table” – Previous question Call for an immediate vote. Call for an immediate vote. “I call for the previous question” “I move the previous question” NOT “Question!” … a disorderly action – Limit/Extend limits of debate To exercise special control over debate. To exercise special control over debate. “I move to extend debate to 3 debates per member”

Subsidiary Motions Aid the assembly in disposing main motions Aid the assembly in disposing main motions – Postpone to a certain time (Definitely) Action on a motion can be put off to a definite time. Action on a motion can be put off to a definite time. “I move to postpone the motion until the December meeting” – Commit (Refer) To send a question to a committee. To send a question to a committee. “I move to refer the motion to a committee … consisting of … to be chaired by … with/without the power to act” – Amend To modify the wording of a motion. To modify the wording of a motion. “I move to amend the motion by …” – Postpone indefinitely To decline to take a position on a motion … kills it! To decline to take a position on a motion … kills it! “I move to postpone the motion indefinitely”

Incidental Motions Related to pending business Related to pending business Must be decided immediately – Appeal To obtain a decision from the chapter on a matter decided by the chair. To obtain a decision from the chapter on a matter decided by the chair. “I appeal the decision of the chair” – Division of assembly To determine the accuracy of a vote. To determine the accuracy of a vote.“Division!” “I call for a division of the assembly”

Incidental Motions Related to pending business Related to pending business Must be decided immediately – Division of a question To divide parts of a motion into separate motions. To divide parts of a motion into separate motions. “I move to divide the question so that one motion reads … the second motion reads …” – Objection to consideration of a motion To enable the chapter to avoid the original motion. To enable the chapter to avoid the original motion. “I object to the consideration of this motion” The chair … “Shall we consider? (2/3 negative vote”) – Parliamentary inquiry A question to obtain parliamentary information A question to obtain parliamentary information “I rise to a parliamentary inquiry”

Incidental Motions Related to pending business Related to pending business Must be decided immediately – Point of order To call upon the chair for an enforcement of the rules. To call upon the chair for an enforcement of the rules. “I rise to a point of order” – Suspend the rules To allow the chapter to do something in violation of the rules. To allow the chapter to do something in violation of the rules. “I move to suspend the rule …” – Withdraw a motion Take a motion from before the assembly Take a motion from before the assembly “I withdraw the motion” Before stated, it belongs to the mover; after, the body Before stated, it belongs to the mover; after, the body

Unclassified Motions Motions that bring a question again before the assembly Motions that bring a question again before the assembly – Reconsider To bring a motion back for consideration. To bring a motion back for consideration. The mover must have been on the prevailing side The mover must have been on the prevailing side “I move to reconsider the vote on the motion …” – Rescind To cancel a previous action To cancel a previous action “I move to rescind the motion …” – Take from the table To make pending a motion(s) that was laid on the table To make pending a motion(s) that was laid on the table “I move to take from the table the motion …”

Utilize the Chart & Book Is a second required to rescind a motion? Is a second required to rescind a motion? What vote is necessary to pass a previous question? What vote is necessary to pass a previous question? Is the motion to adjourn amendable? Is the motion to adjourn amendable? Can an amendment be reconsidered? Can an amendment be reconsidered? What vote is necessary to take a motion from the table? What vote is necessary to take a motion from the table? What is another term for a podium? What is another term for a podium? Does the motion “Discharge a Committee” exist? Does the motion “Discharge a Committee” exist?