Objective: 2.01 Explain the role of parliamentary procedure in conducting business meetings.

A. Main objectives of Parliamentary Law 1. Focus on one item at a time (helps prevent confusion) 2. Extend courtesy to everyone (recognize before speaking)

3. Observe the rule of the majority (keeps unpopular ideas from being adopted) 4. Ensures the rights of the minority (all sides can make motions, second motions, discuss and vote)

B. Definition of Parliamentary Procedure 5. Using well-defined rules from the book of authority (Robert’s Rules of Order) to conduct business using a formal, organized approach.

D. Presiding officer should be Fair & Impartial Should leave the chairman’s station & relinquish chairman’s duties to discuss or present a point of view *Symbol of authority is the gavel.

Order of Business An agenda (or list) of what will be done at a business meeting should be prepared before the meeting.

Motion: to present a new idea or item of business. Amend: to change a motion Majority: more than half: group that controls the vote. Minority: less than half Quorum: 2/3 of the total membership. Needed to have a meeting.

Parli Pro Rap

Motions

Main Motion Used to get group approval for a new project or some other course of action Wording: “I move” NOT “I make a motion”

Main Motion Requires second Debatable Amendable Majority vote required Can be reconsidered

Number of taps One Tap Tells members to be seated Used after passing or rejecting a main motion Used after the announcement that the meeting is adjourned

Number of taps Two taps -calls the meeting to order Three taps -symbol to rise during opening/closing ceremonies Series of taps -used to bring the group to order

Amendments Used to change a main motion 3 ways to amend: addition, substitution, striking out Wording: “I move to amend the motion”

Amendments Requires second Debatable Amendable Majority vote required Can be reconsidered

Division of the House Calls for a counted vote Wording: “I call for a division of the house.”

Division of the House Not debatable Not Amendable Does not require second Cannot be reconsidered No vote required

Refer to a Committee Places the motion in a committee Debatable Amendable Requires a second and majority vote. Motion should include: Number of committee people How they are appointed Powers/duties When to report back

Lay on the table To postpone a motion to the next meeting Motion must be taken from the table at the next meeting to be discussed Wording: “I move to lay this motion on the table”

Lay on the table Requires second Not debatable Not amendable Cannot be reconsidered Majority vote

Point of Order Used when one believes a parliamentary error has been made Wording: “I rise to a point of order”

Point of order Not debatable Not Amendable Does not require second Cannot be reconsidered No vote required

Appeal Use to appeal the chair’s decision after a point of order has been made. Debatable Not Amendable Requires a second Majority Vote

Suspend the Rules Motion to temporarily suspend the rules of an organization NOT debatable Requires second 2/3 majority vote

Adjourn To close the meeting NOT debatable Requires a second Majority vote Takes precedence over all motions. After Adjourn is passed, no other business can take place till the next day.

E. Many organizations (including FFA) have rituals to explain emblems or symbols & to emphasize traditions & beliefs. *Rituals include opening & closing ceremonies, degree ceremonies, creeds, etc.

G. Parliamentary Procedure CDE is a team leadership activity, but creed, extemporaneous speaking & prepared public speaking are individual leadership activities.