Robert's Rules: The RHA Way

1. Robert's Rules: The RHA Way “It is difficult to find another branch of knowledge where a small amount of study produces such great results in increased efficiency in a country where the people rule, as in parliamentary law.” -Henry M. Robert

2. John Sturk, Internal Vice-President RHA Parliamentarian

3. Overview • Motions are our Friend! • Meeting Protocol & Debate: How We Do It • Cast Your Vote: How to Make Your Voice Heard • Attendance Policies: Be Here or Be Square! • Conclusion/Questions

4. The Question The current proposal before the body The Chair Whoever is presiding over the meeting, usually Tim The Floor The person who has been recognized and may speak Germane Relevant to the Question Representative YOU!! Quorum The minimum number of people needed to conduct Business Parli-Pro Lingo AKA: SturkSpeak

5. Motions Are Our Friend! • What is a motion? • Any formal proposal for action by the body. • How do I make a motion? • Obtain the floor, and state “Mr. President, I move…” • Do not say “I motion…” That’s incorrect! • If you don’t know exactly how to word the motion you want to make, simply ask for assistance when you obtain the floor! We’re happy to help you.

6. Types of Motions • Four Types of Motions • Main • Subsidiary • Incidental • Privileged • Bills are proposals for action, and considered Main Motions

7. Types of Motions, cont. • Main • Lowest Rank • Brings a New Topic before the Body • Require a Second & Majority vote (50% + 1) • Subsidiary • Propose action on the Main Motion • Most require a Second & Majority vote • Some require a 2/3 vote

8. Types of Motions, cont. • Privileged • When something needs to be taken care of NOW • Most require a Second & Majority vote • Incidental • Miscellaneous • Pointing, Questions, Yellow Fruit, and Court-Speak • Points of Order/Info/Clarify/Pers. Priv., Appeals, Objections, and Parliamentary Inquiry

9. Motion Order • Introducing the Motion • Seconding • Questions on the Motion • Debate • NOT ALL MOTIONS ARE DEBATABLE! • Voting

10. Common RHA Motions • To Amend • May not interrupt a Speaker, Requires a Second • Must be worded exactly • If you need some assistance, go ahead and ask! We’re here to help you! • Refer to Chapter 2 in “Robert’s Rules: The RHA Way” in your binders

11. Common Motions, cont. • Calling the Previous Question • Obtain the floor, and say “Call the Question” • There’s been enough debate • Pretty much everyone’s ready to move on • If there’s any Objection, debate will continue • Moving the Previous Question • Obtain the floor, and say “I move the Previous Question” • There’s been enough debate • At least 2/3 of the people are ready to vote • Voting to Vote on the Question

12. Did your mom ever tell you… • Points of Order, Information, Clarification, & Personal Privilege • Order: When the Rules have been breached • Information: Offering a pertinent and germane fact to the discussion. • Clarification: Clarify something you said that may sound confusing. • PersonalPrivilege: Something relating to the privileges of members, such as room conditions

13. Meeting Protocol & Debate • Pick up the papers from your folder! • Agenda, Bills, RHA Today, Voting Cards • Start promptly at 7 PM! • Officers’ Reports • E-Board • Reps to the Body • General Assembly • Old Business • Discussion • Approval of the Minutes • Roll Call • Agenda Items • Roll Call • Intro of Guests • Presentations • Committee Reports • New Business • Reps of the Body

14. Protocol & Decorum • “Behave, baby! Yeah!” • Always be respectful of others! • Personal attacks and Cross-Debate will be gaveled • Keep your speeches germane! • Avoid using names in debate • Two speeches per Question per Day • You may only yield the floor to another representative for a question. • You may NOT give them the floor for debate purposes!

15. The Joy of Cards! During Debate of a Question… • If you want to speak in favor… • GREEN CARD • If you want to speak in opposition… • RED CARD • If you agree with the current speaker… • ORANGE CARD • If you are lost or confused… • BLUE CARD • Blue cards are not meant for Points of Info

16. Vote, Voting, Voted • When the Previous Question is ordered, debate is cut off, and Tim will take the vote on the pending Question(s). • Viva Voce: By voice • Division: Raise cards in the air, or stand up • Yeas and Nays: Calling the Roll, or Presenting Cards • Also known as Roll Call vote

17. Voting, cont. • Tim will almost always call for viva voce. • If he’s in doubt, or if you disagree with his call, yell out “Division!” • Tim will direct you to either raise the appropriate card in the air, or ask you to rise from your seat. • If you want to put individual votes on record, you may move for the Yeas and Nays. • Rise, and say “Mr. President, on that I request the Yeas and Nays.” • You’ll need a second and a majority vote • The vote may NOT be by the Yeas and Nays!

18. Attendance: We want to see your smiling face! • Must be present for both roll calls to be deemed “present” for the meeting • Absences/Leaving Earlies must be cleared with Secretary Dave Warden (rhasecretary@hotmail.com) or your committee chair. • Two excused absences PER SEMESTER • Penalties will be swift and harsh… BWA HA HA!

19. What? You weren’there?! • 1st Unexcused: E-mail from me. • 2nd Unexcused: Letter from me. • CC’ed to your President and Advisor. • 3rd Unexcused: Meeting with me. • No organization within your hall (like Caucuses) can receive funds until regular attendance is resumed. • 4th Unexcused: Suspended voting rights. • You may not offer motions or vote • Must attend 3 consecutive meetings, & have attendance form signed by me/committee chair.

20. Resources • ME! John Sturk, IVP • rha@msu.edu • RHA Constitution/Bylaws • Robert’s Rules: The RHA Way • National Assoc. of Parliamentarians • www.parliamentarians.org • Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 11th Edition

21. Summary • Motions • Meeting Protocol & Debate • Voting • Attendance Policies

22. Questions?