American Bar Association Law Student Division Assembly Saturday, August 1, 2009 Marriott Hotel Chicago, Illinois

2 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE – Presented by Joan M. Bundley, MPH, RN, PRP Registered Professional Parliamentarian & Mediator

CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE MEETINGS HOW TO ADJOURN BEFORE MIDNIGHT

4 Parliamentary Principles One subject at a time- the most efficient way to conduct business Equality - all members have equal rights, obligations and privileges, and must be treated with dignity and respect. Majority rights - the majority has the right to rule the organization. The minority has a right to be heard.

5 Basic rules ( which flow from the principles ) To transact business legally, a quorum must be present. Decisions of the assembly supercede those of individuals. Present one item of business at a time. The assembly cannot be asked to decide a question twice in the same session, unless the vote on the matter is reconsidered.

6 Convention Reports Credentials: establishes the list of voting delegates Rules : includes the rules of order and standing rules for the convention Agenda/Program: establishes the convention program, including the order of business, speakers, workshops and other functions

7 Steps in Handling a Motion A member makes the motion. Another member seconds the motion. The chair states the motion. Members debate (discuss) the motion. The Chair takes the vote on the motion. The Chair announces the result of the vote.

8 Classes of Motions Motion: A formal proposal by a member, in a meeting, that the assembly take a certain action. Main Motion: the basic motion that brings business before the assembly. Subsidiary (Secondary) Motion: assists the assembly in treating or disposing of the main motion. Privileged Motion: does not relate to the pending business, but to special matters of importance which, without debate, should allow interruption of discussion of other classes of motions. Restorative Motion: brings a question again before the assembly for further consideration and action.

9 Subsidiary Motions 1. Postpone Indefinitely  Requires a second  Debatable  Not Amendable  Majority vote  Can be reconsidered

10 2. Amend  Requires a second  Debatable if applied to a debatable motion  Amendable  Majority vote  Can be reconsidered

11 Categories of Amendments Amendment: A motion to modify the wording of a pending motion before it is voted upon. Primary Amendment: amends the main motion by adding, inserting or striking out words Secondary Amendment: amends the primary amendment Substitute: strikes out an entire main motion of more than one sentence and inserts another An amendment must always be germane – closely related to the subject of the motion to be amended.

12 The Friendly Amendment Belief: The “friendly” amendment is one that is meant to support the intent of of motion and will be accepted by the maker of the motion. Fact: The “friendly” amendment is usually offered after the motion has been stated by the presiding officer. The motion is now before the assembly and must be handled in the same manner as any other amendment.

13 3. Commit  Debatable  Amendable  Majority vote  Can be reconsidered  Requires a second

14 4. Postpone to a Certain Time  Debatable  Requires a second  Amendable  Majority vote  Can be reconsidered

15 5. Limit or Extend Limits of Debate  Requires a second  Not debatable  Amendable  2/3’rds vote  Can be reconsidered

16 6. Previous Question  Requires a second  Not debatable  Not amendable  2/3’rds vote  Can be reconsidered

17 7. Lay on the Table Not debatable Not amendable Majority vote Requires a second

18 Privileged Motions 1. Call for the Orders of the Day  No second required  Not debatable  Not amendable  No vote taken, chair responds  Cannot be reconsidered  Can interrupt speaker

19 2. Raise a Question of Privilege  No second required  Not debatable  Not amendable  No vote taken, chair responds  Cannot be reconsidered  Can interrupt a speaker

20 Restorative Motions 1. Reconsider  Must be made by a member who voted on the prevailing side  Requires a second  Debatable if applied to a debatable motion  Not amendable  Majority vote  Cannot be reconsidered

21 2. Take From the Table Requires a second Not debatable Not amendable Majority vote

22 Frequently Offered Incidental Motions Point of Order: a member believes that the rules are being violated; no vote, the chair rules Parliamentary Inquiry: a question directed to the presiding officer on a matter of parliamentary or the rules of the organization relating to the current item of business Point of Information: a request for information relevant to the business at hand, but not related to parliamentary procedure

23 RULES OF DEBATE The maker of the motion has the right to speak first. No member may speak a second time to a motion until every member who wishes to has spoken once to that motion. All remarks must be limited to the merits of the motion immediately before the assembly. A member may speak no more than twice to the same question on the same day. Each speech is limited to ten minutes (often reduced to one to three minutes).

24 Rules of Debate – Continued Personal remarks must be avoided, and the motives of members must not be questioned. All remarks must be addressed to and through the chair. Members should not be referred to by name: officers are referred to by their title. A member may speak in debate and close by offering a secondary motion. A member may not speak against own motion, but may vote against it.

Joan M. Bundley, PRP ABA Law Student Asembly August 1, 2009 You Are Now Prepared For A Great and Productive 2009 ABA Law Student Assembly