1. Parliamentary Procedures
Larry Souther
I have been working with Parliamentary Procedures for 20 plus years. I have been giving this introductory presentation for over 10 years. In the next 20 minutes I'm going to share the secrets, the hacks, that I've learned during those past 20 years.

2. Not Going to Teach Robert's Rules of Order
Toward the end of the presentation, we will go into RONR a little bit. Most of the training on Parliamentary Procedures I have attended focus on the HOW. We are going to focus on the WHY.

3. WHY?
To Be Fair.
To Protect People's Rights.
To Get the Business Done.

4. Fair People want things to be 'Fair'.
How many times have you heard "That's not fair."?
If you have kids, how many times have you heard it today?
Even my dogs understand being fair. If I give one a treat, the other one expects me to be fair and give it a treat also.

5. But What is Fair?
By Adopting Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised (RONR) as our parliamentary authority, we have determined RONR is our standard of FAIR.
Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised is abbreviated as RONR

6. Fair People have spent a lot of time figuring out what is 'Fair'.
Fair is non situational.
It is written down so it is available to everyone.
Robert's Rules of Order was first published in It has been modified 10 times since then (11th Edition is the current version).

7. Resources Parliamentarians Web Sites On-Line Training
National Organization
Certification Programs
Web Sites
On-Line Training
Classroom Training

8. RIGHTS
RONR is designed to protect the Rights of the Minority

9. Rights of the Minority Requires 2/3 votes to restrict rights
30 day notification for major items
This is another key concept.

10. Rights of the Minority
The Delegate Assembly's Standing Rules restrict the amount of debate on a motion.
This is why it takes a 2/3 vote to pass the standing rules.

11. Get Business Done By: Determining the Will of the Majority
Dealing with one issue at a time
Being Clear on when we are going to do things (Agenda)

12. Will of the Majority Determine the will by voting
Majority = More than Half
If 19 votes cast, majority = 10 (>9.5)
If 20 votes cast, majority = 11 (>10)
If 21 votes cast, majority = 11 (>10.5)

13. Votes General (Unanimous) Consent Voice Vote or Show of Hands
Counted vote
Ballot
Unanimous consent is used where the president is reasonably sure that there is no opposition or of little importance. Such as "If there is no objection we will adjourn for lunch."
Show of Hands – use if people are shouting to throw off the vote.

14. Required to Pass Majority vote 2/3 vote Prior Notice
Most votes take a majority to pass. Some, like those that restrict rights, require ≥2/3 to pass. These votes are of the members present and voting. Abstains do not count.
Sometimes prior notice is required, for example changes to the constitution.
It takes a higher vote to overturn something already voted on.

15. Two-Thirds Vote (>= 2/3)
If 30 votes cast, a 2/3 vote = 20
If 31 votes cast, a 2/3 vote =21 (20.667)
If 32 votes cast, a 2/3 vote =22 (21.333)
If 33 votes cast, a 2/3 vote = 22

16. Division If you think the Chair got the vote wrong or
If you think there was an error with the vote:
Call for a "Division"
This is a call for a counted vote.
Does not need the floor
Does not need a second.
Things that can go wrong with a vote: People did not understand what was being voted on or what their vote meant (challenging the ruling of the chair).

17. Why is it so difficult?

18. BECAUSE - Jargon People don't respect other People
People don't understand the process
Communicating to future people

19. JARGON Every sport has its jargon
Parliamentary Procedures has its own jargon
If you don't know the proper term: ASK
It is okay to use plain language
The Chair will help you

20. Parliamentary Inquiry
This allows you to ask the Chair what is going on and why it is okay.
This allows you to ask the Chair how to do something.

21. R – E – S – P – E – C - T People want more than their share.
People want to Win.
People don't respect the wisdom and morality of their equals.
Each person has one and only one vote.

22. People Don't Understand the Process
Robert's Rules of Order is 816 pages.
People seldom take the time to study the Rules.
Many people are familiar with alternative systems (State Senate, State Legislature, Congress).

23. Communication Normal communication is:
55% Non-Verbal
38% Voice
7% the words used
Written communication uses only this last 7%
So we have to chose our words wisely

24. For Example:
If a vacancy occurs, the President of MAPE shall nominate an eligible candidate for appointment by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors to serve until the next scheduled election of Trustees. The newly elected Trustee shall serve the remaining term of office of the vacancy, or for a full term of four (4) years, if applicable;

25. Precedence Motions have a hierarchy
Subsidiary Motions handle a Main Motion
Privileged Motions handle the assembly
Incidental Motions handle problems
Bring Back Motions are Main Motions
Order of motions not an example.
Trumpets precede Sousaphones in a marching band.
Brown v. Board of Education set a precedent for desegregating public schools.

26. Precedence – Subsidiary
Lay on the Table
Previous Questions
Limit or Extend Limits of Debate
Postpone Definitely
Commit or Refer
Amend
Postpone Indefinitely
Main Motion

27. Precedence – Privileged
Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn
Adjourn
Recess
Raise a Question of Privilege
Call for Orders of the Day

28. Precedence - Incidental
Suspend the Rules
Withdraw a Motion
Objection to the consideration of a question
Point of Order
Parliamentary Inquiry
Appeal
Request for Information
Division of the Assembly
Division of the Question

29. Precedence – Bring Back
Reconsider
Rescind
Take from the table
Discharge a Committee
Amend Something Previously Adopted

30. Questions
That is the end of my presentation and we can now take questions.