1. Introduction to Parliamentary Procedures

2. Overview Parliamentarian Functional Why do we need it? Motions
Steps to a Main Motion
Non-debatable motion
Voting Procedures
Amendments Information
What does all it mean?

3. Why do we need it? Keep order Help facilitate meetings
Avoid heated debates
Stop filibustering ( i.e. ‘piggy backin’)
Stay on the topic being discussed

4. Motions
Formal proposal by a member in a meeting that the assembly take a certain action
Main Motion
Brings business before the body
Main road towards making decisions
Debatable

5. The Right Way The Wrong Way “I Move that we…” Motions
“ I Motion that we …”
“I’d like to make a motion that…”
The Right Way
“I Move that we…”

6. Steps to a Main Motion Obtain recognition of the presiding officer
State the motion
Second from another participant
Presiding officer restates motion
Maker speaks to motion
Seconder speaks to motion
Discussion (debate of the motion)
Call/Move the Question
Vote
Announce Results

7. More on Main Motions
Cannot be moved when any other motion is pending; must yield to all subsidiary, privileged, and applicable incidental motions
Out of order when another member has the floor
Someone must second (someone shows support of motion) the motion in order to continue the discussion and/or vote upon the motion

8. Non-debatable Motion Motion is made Second (does not always apply)
Vote immediately
Non-debatable Motions
Adjourn, Recess, Personal Privilege, Table, Move to question, Point of Order, Suspend the Rules, Object to Consideration, Call for Division, Point of Information
Adjourn - terminate a meeting
Recess – interruption of the meeting
Personal Privilege
Table – to set a motion aside until further consideration
Move to question -
Point of Order – the raising of a question as to the propriety of some action taken by the chair or assembly
Suspend the Rules – a vote to disregard temporarily a rule that prevents the assembly form taking a particular actions
Object to Consideration
Call for Division
Point of Information

9. Amendment to a Main Motion
Friendly Amendment
Amendment by Consensus
Move to Amend
Amendment by vote
If fails, motion stays as is and debate continues
If passes, motion modified, discussion on new motion

10. Other Useful Motions Commit or refer to a committee
Limit or extend debate
Call for Orders of the Day
Division of the Question
Point of Information
Division of Assembly

11. Discussion (Debate) Obtain recognition from the chair
Comments should be germane
Concise, non-repetitive
Everyone has a chance to speak
Only speak twice when everyone has had opportunity to speak once
Listening to discussion
Limit excessive side conversations
Limit excessive note passing

12. Voting Quorum Call to Question (call for the vote)
Must be present in order to vote on business
Call to Question (call for the vote)
You are ready to vote
Cannot interrupt the speaker
If you are not ready to vote, “OBJECT”
If objections, continue the debate
If no objections, vote immediately

13. Going to the Vote Move to Question (move to vote)
You are ready to vote
Must be recognized by the presiding officer
Requires a second
Vote immediately (not debatable)
Vote to Vote (requires 2/3)
If fails, continue the debate
If passes, vote immediately

14. Voting Procedures Verbal Counting Hands Roll Call
Call for “yea” or “nay”
Counting Hands
Roll Call
Document who votes what
Need this to be able to reconsider a motion
Must have voted in the affirmation to move to reconsider

15. Voting Rights of Members
Abstentions
To abstain your vote is when your vote is neither for nor against the motion
You can vote for yourself in an election
DO NOT explain reasons for your vote
Changing your vote
Must obtain the floor before the final tally of votes to change your vote

16. Voting Results Consensus Majority (51% +) Two-thirds (2/3, 67%)
Nine-Tenths (90%)
Abstentions
Does not affect voting result

17. Bylaw Amendments Bylaw amendments may be proposed by:
The Grand Council
Any financial member of the fraternity
Bylaws are amended by
2/3rd delegate vote

18. Constitution Amendments
Constitution amendments may be proposed by:
The Grand Council
Any financial member of the fraternity
Ratification of any proposed constitutional amendment shall be subject to a 9/10th affirmative vote of the delegates present at the Biennial Conclave of the Fraternity

19. Yes, constitutional amendments are difficult to pass!
That Means…
Now of this, 780 possible votes
Only 80 chapters are present (57 UG/ 23 G) ~ 618 votes
Bylaws Amendment Vote- Intake Dues Fee
If 297/618 = 0.48 ≠ 0.67
amendment fails
If 376/618 = 0.78 > 0.67
amendment passes
Constitutional Amendment Vote- Change Name of GC Officer
If 340/618 = 0.55 ≠ 0.90
If 575/618 = 0.93 > 0.90
Yes, constitutional amendments are difficult to pass!

20. Notes Parliamentary Procedure is your friend Get comfortable with it
Ask questions
Reference materials
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised 10th Edition
Chapter Handbook, Pages 92-97