Session techniques Kursholder, sted, dato
Agenda »Working plan »Should be made for all meetings »Does not contain a time schedule »In accordance with statutes »Approved at the beginning of the meeting »Contains ”any other business”
Program »Contains a time schedule »Used at formal meetings »Approved at the beginning of the meeting
Standing orders »Rules for the chair and the assembly »Adopted after the agenda and program »Replaces ”normal” session rules »Contains: –Regulates who can speak, vote etc –Time allotted for speaking/where to speak –Regulates voting sessions
Speakers list »Should always be kept »In the order the speakers enrolls to the list »”To an order” always moves to the front of the list
Asking for the word »Contribution –You motion your or someone else's opinion about a case »Reply –Short comment. Must be related to the previous contribution. »Answer –The speaker who made the contribution can answer shortly to the replies
To an order »To the case »To the agenda »To the standing orders »To the voting procedure »To end the debate
Ending the debate/discussion »Make an order to end the debate/discussion »The chair refers the speakers list and any proposals »The assembly must vote over the suggestion »You can put your name on the speakers list during the next contribution »The chair closes the discussion »Only those already on the speakers list can speak
Ending the discussion implies that: »None other than those on the speakers list can make a contribution »Replies are given as normal »You can no longer propose or withdraw proposals
Report and minutes »Minutes contain the decisions made by the assembly »Report contains all/parts/summary of debates and discussions »Must be approved by the assembly, usually at the next meeting
Statements »A specific statement from one or more of those who have the right to vote »Can be: –Explanation of the vote –Comment on a decision –Clarify a disagreement »Must be handed in in writing and signed »Attached to the minutes
The chair »Be calm and objective »Responsible for: »Agenda »Voting sessions »Progress during the meeting »General order »To do this the chair must: »Summarize/draw conclusions based on the discussions »Clarify any ambiguity
Voting rules Kursholder, sted, dato
Conditions »You both have the right and an obligation to vote »All proposals or parts of proposals must be voted upon
Voting order »The order the proposals are set up so the voting session will be correct
Majority »Common majority »Simple majority »Absolute majority »Qualified majority –Described in the standing orders –2/3, 3/4 etc
Common majority »Definition: 50% of the votes + 1 out of the given votes »Most common type of voting »Abstentions do not count
Simple majority »Definition: one proposal has recieved more votes than each of the other proposals »Is normally not used »A minority can in theory decide
Absolute majority »Definition: 50% + 1 out of all the votes available »Abstentions count
Qualified majority »Definition: a majority of a certain quantity is needed, i.e. 2/3 majority or 60% majority »Defined in statutes and standing orders »Is used on very fundamentally important issues »The general assembly can with ¾ majority decide to merge StL with another student organization Example from StLs statues
Grouping the proposals »Divided into groups after content and consequences »The most extreme is always the highest amount »Adding or changing something must always be voted upon before the whole proposal
Grouping the proposals »Postponement »Rejection »All other proposals
Grouping the proposals »Decide the main principles first »Largest consequences »Differs considerably from other proposals NB! Be sure to know what the proposal implies. If you are unsure, ask the proposer. Know what you vote upon!
Alternatives »There must always be an alternative »FORSLAG ALLE ANDRE ??? Hva betyr dette her?!?
What should the chair say? “Those in favor of the proposal remains quiet. Those against the proposal show their voting card. And we vote." If necessary, ask for abstaining votes.
Let’s try it!