Parliamentary Procedures Workshop

1. Parliamentary Procedures Workshop

2. Parliamentary Procedure History • English Parliament Journal 1580 • Virginia House of Burgesses 1619 • Jefferson’s Manual 1801; others followed • Henry M. Robert • 1863, Captain, New Bedford MA meeting • 1876, Brig. Gen., Pocket Manual, “vanity publication” by Griggs & Co. • 1912, Roberts Rules, Revised – modern format • 1923, Family trusteeship • 1970, Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised • 2000, RONR, 10th Edition

3. Parliamentary Procedure [A] very brief pocket manual, so cheapthat every member of a church orsociety could own a copy, and so arranged as to enable one quickly to find when any particular motion couldbe made. • Henry M. Robert, describing his vision of his Rules • Smedley The Great Peacemaker

4. Parliamentary Procedure

5. Parliamentary Procedure Following Rules: • Unless the reason for a rule is understood, it is difficult to learn the rule, and it is still more difficult to apply it successfully in practice. • George C. Crocker, President Massachusetts SenateCrocker's Principles of Procedure preface, 1889

6. Parliamentary Procedure What Is Parliamentary Procedure? Parliamentary Procedure provides the group with a structured, logical, consistent format under which to make decisions and therefore should be used to help groups achieve their goals and objectives through a democratic process.

7. Parliamentary Procedure Why is Parliamentary Procedure Important? • You will get more done in less time by following orderly procedures • You will encourage greater participation by all members • You will ensure fair decision-making • You will protect the rights of all members, including those present at the meeting, those absent, the majority, the minority, and the entire organization • You will develop more effective leaders • You will help ensure the legal status of your meetings according to society and your own organization

8. Parliamentary Procedure Parliamentary Procedure Objectives: • Establish purpose and structure of organization • Define membership classifications, rights, and obligations • Defines rules and procedures for conducting business

9. Parliamentary Procedure Parliamentary Procedure Principles: • Establish the will of the majority • Establish the right of the minority to be heard • Establish protection for the rights of absentees • Establish the courtesy and justice for all • Consideration of one subject at a time

10. Parliamentary Procedure Why Use Parliamentary Procedure? The application of Parliamentary law is the best method yet devised to enable assemblies of any size, with regard for every member’s opinion, to arrive at the general will on the maximum number of questions of varying complexity in a minimum time and under all kinds of internal climate ranging from total harmony to hardened or impassioned division of opinion.

11. Parliamentary Procedure Organizations using parliamentary procedureusually follow a fixed order of business: • Call to order • Roll call of members present • Reading of minutes of last meeting • Officer’s report • Committee report • Special orders – Important business previously designated for consideration at this meeting • Unfinished business • New business • Announcements • Adjournment

12. Parliamentary Procedure The method used by members to expressthemselves is in the form of moving motions. Individual members can: • Call to order • Second motions • Debate motions • Vote on motions

13. Parliamentary Procedure There are four basic Types of Motions: • Main Motions • Subsidiary Motions • Privileged Motions • Incidental Motions

14. Parliamentary Procedure How Are Motions Presented? • Obtaining the Floor • Make Your Motion • Wait for Someone to Second Your Motion • Another Member will Second Your Motion or the Chairman will Call for a Second • If There is No Second to Your Motion, It is Lost • The Chairman States Your Motion • Expanding on Your Motion • Putting the Question to the Membership

15. Parliamentary Procedure Voting on a Motion: • By Voice • By Roll Call • By General Consent • By Division • By Ballot

16. Parliamentary Procedure Two Other Types of Motions: • Motion To Table • Motion To Postpone Indefinitely

17. Parliamentary Procedure Parliamentary Procedure is the bestway to get things done at your meetings: • Allow motions that are in order • Have members obtain the floor properly • Speak clearly and concisely • Obey the rules of debate • Most importantly, BE COURTIOUS

18. Parliamentary Procedure In Order For a Debate: • Motion Is Seconded • Motion Is Stated by Chair (Presiding Officer)

19. Parliamentary Procedure Effective Meetings – How To Planand Conduct Effective Meetings: • Prepare for the meeting • Get the meeting off to a good start • Create an atmosphere for participation • Move the meeting forward to get results • End the meeting • Follow-up after the meeting

20. Parliamentary Procedure The purpose of parliamentary procedure is to facilitate the transaction of business and to promote cooperation and harmony. - Alice SturgisSturgis Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure, p. 7

21. Parliamentary Procedure • http://www.jimslaughter.com/articles.htm • http://www.flparliamentarian.com/ • http://www.rulesonline.com

22. Resources • Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 10th Edition, 2000, Perseus Publishing, Cambridge, MA, 704 pp. (Often cited as RONR) • National Association of Parliamentarians,parliamentarians.org.

23. Any Questions?