Parliamentary Procedure

1. Parliamentary Procedure

2. Parliamentary Procedure: • A set of rules used to conduct a meeting in an orderly manner • 3 major functions: • 1. Ensure meetings run smoothly • 2. Help group focus on issues most important to entire group • 3. Ensure that meetings are run according to democratic principles

3. Parliamentary Procedure: • 5 basic principles: • 1. One question at a time- handle one issue before considering another; maintain order • 2. Majority rule- simple majority = at least one more than ½ of people who voted • 3. Protection of minority rights- minority = less than ½ of group agrees; hear all viewpoints • 4. Equality of rights and responsibilities- precedence • 5. Free debate- discussion where pro & con speeches alternate

4. Parliamentary Procedure • Quorum = minimum number of members that must be present for the group to conduct business • Chair/ Presiding Officer- names for person running the meeting • Duties: • Maintain control- members follow parli. procedure • Maintain order- prevent filibustering = making long speeches to waste time to prevent vote on issue • Act impartially- don’t take sides • Recognize speakers impartially- precedence

5. Motions • Motion- proposal for action made by a member • Main motions- set forth new items of business to be considered; require a second before they can be debated and a simple majority vote • Subsidiary motions- allow members to change or dispose of a main motion being discussed; proposed after main motion to which they apply; must be debated and voted on before group can return to main motion • Lay on the table- temporary postponement of action; requires simple majority • Previous question- immediate vote to stop discussion on a motion; requires 2/3 majority • Limit/ extend debate- calls for time limit; requires 2/3 majority • Amend- change wording of motion; requires simple majority

6. Motions (cont.) • Privileged motions- concern running of meeting itself • Adjourn- calls for meeting to close; requires simple majority • Recess- calls for a break; requires simple majority • Question of privilege- calls for immediate action on such things as lighting, heating, disturbances, etc.; no vote required- only approval of chair • Incidental motions- relate to questions of procedure • Point of order- request info. about something in order or to point out a violation of parli. procedure; no vote required • Suspend the rules- allows members to do something not normally allowed by the rules; requires 2/3 majority • Renewal motions- get discussion reopened on decisions already made • Reconsider- discussion of motion already passed; requires simple majority • Rescind- cancellation of action taken on previous motion; requires 2/3 majority • Take from the table- reopen discussion of a motion that had earlier been laid on the table; requires simple majority

7. Amending a Motion • Amendment must be specific; insert, add, strike out, strike out and insert, substitute • Amendment must be germane to a motion; germane = must relate to issue of original motion • Amendment cannot be made by inserting word not into the main motion

8. Voting • Previous question- oral vote “Aye,” “No,” or “Abstain” • Abstain = member does not wish to support or oppose motion being voted upon • When vote is too close to call, group can call for a division of assembly- requires chair to call for a 2nd vote done in a different method from one used in 1st vote