Parliamentary Procedure

1. Parliamentary Procedure Wilcox Central High School

2. Objectives • Learn the rules of a meeting and the order of operations. • Discuss vocabulary needed to know when participating in Parliamentary Procedure.

3. Opening Ceremony • Taps gavel 3 times • Group rises • President states: “FFA members, why are we here?” • Members reply: “To practice brotherhood, honor agricultural opportunities and responsibilities, and develop those qualities of leadership which an FFA member should possess.”

4. Parliamentary Procedure Definition Correct rules for conducting or running a successful meeting 3 goals of Parliamentary Procedure Make meeting run smoothly Assure everyone gets to voice their opinion Maintain Order

5. History of Parliamentary Procedure • Better known as “Robert’s Rules of Order.” • Written by Henry M. Robert in 1876. • First revised in 1915. • Last revised in 1990.

6. Vocabulary Quorum 1/2 of members in a club plus 1 Minimum number of members that must be present at a meeting for legal business to be transacted Majority 1/2 of members present at any meeting plus 1 minimum number of members that must vote for a motion for it to pass

7. Other Important Information • Presiding Officer referred to as: • Mr/Madam President • Mr/Madam Chairperson • Everyone gets the chance to voice their opinion • Everyone gets the chance to Vote • Must take yes and no votes • Only one topic at a time can be discussed • Who ever makes a motion has the right to discuss it first

8. Other considerations • The taps of the gavel (symbol of leadership, represents chair’s authority). • 1 tap: be seated, announce vote. • 2 taps: call to order • 3 taps: all rise • Series of taps: restore order

9. Main Motions • Used to introduce ideas to the group • Must be stated in the form • I Move that • I Move to • Can not be in negative form • Only one main motion at a time • Require a second • Amendable • Can Be Changed • Debatable • Can be talked about • Majority Vote • Can be voice

10. Main Motions Continued Main Motions that are not Legal Break any Local, State or National Laws Any motion that brings up a motion that has already been failed Items that are outside the power of the group Negative motions Political or religious Support The person who makes a motion can not talk against it Main motions can be reconsidered Can not interrupt another speaker Proper Example: Mr President, I move that the chapter participate in crops judging this year.

11. Steps to handling a Main Motion Stand Ask to be recognized by President President recognizes you by name Motion is correctly stated Motion is seconded Motion is repeated by President Motion is discussed President restates motion Motion is voted on Results of vote announced by President

12. Postpone Indefinitely Purpose To kill a main motion Requires a second Not Amendable Debatable Majority Vote Can not interrupt another speaker Can be reconsidered only if passed Proper Example: Mr President, I move to Postpone this motion indefinitely

13. Amendments Purpose Used to modify a main motion Must be germane Closely related to the original topic Can be amended in 4 ways Inserting in middle Adding to end Striking Out Striking out and inserting Requires a second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote

14. Amendments continued Can not interrupt another speaker Can be reconsidered Improper amendments any thing not germane frivolous or absurd leave an incoherent wording Proper Example: Motion on floor: That the FFA Chapter buy a boat. Amendment: Mr President, I move to amend the motion by inserting speed in front of boat. So the motion would read, I move that the FFA Chapter buy a speed boat.

15. Amendment to an Amendment Purpose To modify an amendment to make it more specific Requires a second Debatable Not amendable Majority vote Can not interrupt a speaker Proper Example: Madam President, I move to amend the amendment by inserting Johnson in front of speed. So the final motion with if all amendments pass would read, I move that the FFA chapter buy a Johnson speed boat.

16. Refer to Committee Purpose used to send a pending question to a small group so that the question may be carefully investigated Requires a Second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote 2 ways to appoint a committee Standing Committee one of the 15 listed in the Program of Activities Special Committee Appointed by the president Number of members can be 3 or more

17. Refer to Committee Continued Can interrupt another speaker President must specify when the committee should report back to the chapter Usually next regular meeting Committee can be give full power to act Proper example: Mr President, I move that we refer this motion to the Leadership Committee Mr President, I move we refer this motion to a committee of three appointed by the chair

18. Postpone Definitely Purpose allow for the motion on the floor to deferred to a different day, meeting, or until after a certain event Requires a second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote Can interrupt a speaker Proper example: Madam President, I move to postpone this motion until the December Regular Meeting.

19. Limit or Extend Debate Purpose To limit or lengthen the time allowed for discussion on a motion when it is clear that there will be an excessive amount of discussion or when the amount of time for the meeting is limited. Requires a second Debatable Amendable amount of time or number of speakers only 2/3 Majority Vote Can not interrupt another speaker

20. Limit / Extend Debate Continued Maker of the motion must specify the amount of time the number of speakers that can debate the motion Proper Example Madam President, I move that we limit debate on this motion to 3 discussions for the motion and 3 discussions against the motion. Madam President, I move to limit debate to a maximum of 5 minutes.

21. Previous Question Purpose To force an immediate Vote on the motion Requires a second Not amendable Not Debatable 2/3 Vote Can not interrupt another speaker Proper example: Madam President, I move the previous question Mr President, I call for the previous question

22. To lay on the table Purpose To defer action on the motion until later in the meeting or until the next meeting Requires a second Not amendable Not debatable Majority Vote Can not interrupt another speaker Proper example: Mr. President, I move to lay this motion on the table

23. To take from the table Purpose To take a motion that is on the table off of the table. Requires a second not amendable Not debatable Majority vote Can not interrupt another speaker Proper Example I move to take the motion that reads to buy a boat from the table.

24. Reconsider Purpose to reevaluate a decision that was made earlier Requires a second Not amendable Debatable Majority vote Can not interrupt another speaker If passed, the motion to be reconsidered is handled just as if it was never voted on Only can be made by a person who voted on the winning side If passed the motion is handled immediately if: only a main motion with amendments is on the floor.

25. Reconsider Continued Handled after the current business if: discussion on refer to committee, or postponement has started. Motions that can be reconsidered Main motions Amendments Refer to committee Postpone definitely Previous question Appeal the decision of the chair Only if failed withdraw Only if passed Postpone indefinitely Proper Example Mr President, I move to reconsider the motion to buy a boat.

26. Recind Purpose To REPEAL PREVIOUS ACTION Requires a Second Debatable Amendable 2/3 majority vote Can not interrupt another speaker Proper Example Madam President, I move that we reconsider the vote to buy a boat.

27. Suspend the Rules Purpose allows the chapter to break the rules of parliamentary procedure, or the current constitution for a short period of time. Requires a second Not amendable Not debatable 2/3 vote Can not interrupt another speaker Proper example: Mr President, Because of the lack of time tonight, I move to suspend the rules and skip directly to new business.

28. Modify or Withdraw Purpose This motion allows for the maker of a motion to change a motion or completely take it off the floor for discussion. Not amendable Not debatable If made before President first states the motion it is automatically withdrawn with no second or vote. If made after President first states the motion the following steps must be taken.

29. Modify or Withdraw cont’d 1) President must asks if anyone objects to the maker withdrawing the motion if someone objects must be seconded, and passed with majority vote On no one objects the motion is automatically withdrawn Can not be made after discussion has begun Proper form Mr President, I would like to withdraw my motion.

30. Divide a Motion Purpose This motion allows a motion that has been made to be split into two different motions This can only be made on motions that have two main ideas that are not dependent on each other Requires a second Not debatable Amendable Majority vote Can not interrupt another speaker

31. Divide a Motion Con’t Proper example Motion on the floor, I move to buy a boat and go to the zoo. Madam President, I move to divide this motion into tow motions. The first stating the we buy a boat and the second that we go to the zoo.

32. Object to the Consideration Purpose Used when a member thinks that the activity or action of the group is not appropriate. Does not require a second Not amendable Not debatable 2/3 vote Can interrupt another speaker Proper form Mr President, I object to the consideration of this question. President should say “Objection to the consideration has been called. All those who wish to consider the motion raise your right hand. All those who object to the consideration of this question same sign.

33. Division of the house Purpose When called, this forces a immediate revote by hand Does not require a second Not amendable Not debatable No vote needed Can interrupt another speaker Proper form Can be made by saying “division” loud enough for the entire group to hear Or by standing and saying “I call for a division of the house”

34. Point of Order Purpose Used when a member thinks that the rules of the group or the rules of parliamentary procedure are being violated. Does not require a second Not amendable Not debatable President decides on verdict Can interrupt another speaker Proper example Mr President, I rise to a point of order. President says, “State your point” After member states point, president says “your point is well taken” or “Your point is not well taken”

35. Appeal Purpose To reverse the decision of the chairman, after they have made an error. Requires a second Not amendable Debatable(this is the only motion where President can discuss) Majority vote Can interrupt another speaker Most of the time you should support the decision of your president. Proper Example Mr President I appeal the decision of the chair. President should say “Appeal the decision of the chair has been called, all those who wish to uphold the decision of the chair say I, all opposed same sign.”

36. Orders of the Day Purpose This motion forces the group to return to the set agenda, without finishing the current business. Does not require a second Not Amendable Not Debatable 2/3 vote against to fail Can only be made on motions that are not on the set agenda for that meeting. Mr. President, I call for the orders of the day. President should say, Orders of the day has been called. All those who wish to return to the orders of the day, raise your hand. All those opposed to returning to the orders of the day, same sign.

37. Question of Privilege Purpose This allows for people in the group to ask for changes in the temperature, for ideas to clarified, for motions to be explained, for others to repeat their discussion or motions, and anything that may help the meeting run more smoothly. Does not need a second Not amendable Not debatable No Vote, Presidents decision Can interrupt another speaker Proper Example Madam President, I Rise to a question of privilege. President says, “State Your Question” Then the member says whatever they have to and the president decides on whether it will be allowed or not.

38. Recess Purpose This allows for a short break in the meeting Needs a second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote Can not interrupt another speaker Must specify the length of time in the motion Proper example Mr President, I move to take a 5 minute recess.

39. Adjourn Purpose To end the Meeting Needs a second Not Amendable Not Debatable Majority Vote Can not interrupt another speaker Proper example Mr president, I move to adjourn.

40. Fix time to Reassemble Purpose To arrange time for next meeting Needs a Second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote Can interrupt a speaker Proper example Mr. President, I move to adjourn until 7 pm on December 12th.