Parliamentary Procedure

1. Parliamentary Procedure Robert’s Rules of Order

2. Purpose • Method of conducting meetings with speed and efficiency in an orderly manner

4. Principles • 1. One thing at a time • 2. Courtesy to everyone • 3. Rule of majority • 4. Rights of minority

5. Voting • Simple majority – over 50% • 2/3 Vote • Plurality – highest number of votes but less than a majority • Ways to Vote • Voice – aye or no • Rising – standing or raise of hand • Roll call – each member’s name is called • Ballot – secret vote

6. Steps in handing a motion • 1. Stand and address chair • 2. Recognition by chair • 3. State motion • 4. Second • 5. Chairman restates motion • 6. Chairman invites discussion • 7. Vote • 8. Chair announces results of vote

7. Common Terminology • Motion – proposal for action • Second – shows approval for a motion • Chair – presiding official • Floor – the right to speak without interruption • Germane – pertaining to subject at hand • Question – motion under consideration • Quorum – number of members necessary to legally transact business • Debate – discussion • Pending – motion currently being considered

8. Duties of Chairman • Maintain order • Enforce rules • Equalize debate • Expedite business • Treat everyone with respect Chair usually may not debate Can only vote to make or break a tie

9. Main Motions • Purpose – to introduce ideas to the group • Only one main motion at a time • Requires a second • Amendable • Can be changed • Debatable • Can be talked about • Majority Vote • Can be voice vote

10. Main Motion Continued Example : Mr. Chairman, I move to . . . or I move that . . .

11. Primary Amendments • Purpose – to improve or modify a motion • Must be germane • Can be amended in 4 ways • Inserting • Adding • Striking out • Striking out and inserting or substituting • Requires a second

12. Primary Amendments con’t • Amendable • Debatable • Majority Vote Example: Mr. Chairman, I move to amend the motion by . . . (adding, substituting, striking out, or inserting)

13. Secondary Amendments • Purpose • To modify an amendment to make it more specific • Requires a second • Debatable • Not amendable • Majority vote • Can not interrupt a speaker Example: Mr. Chairman, I move to amend the amendment by . . .

14. 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

15. Refer to Committee con’t • Two ways to appoint a committee • Standing Committee • Special Committee • Appointed by the chairman • Number of members can be 3 or more Example: Mr. Chairman, I move to refer this motion to a committee.

16. Postpone Definitely • Purpose • Allow for the motion on the floor to be deferred to a different day, meeting, or until after a certain event. • Requires a second • Amendable • Debatable • Majority Vote Example: Madam President, I move to postpone this motion until the regular meeting in June.

17. 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 Examples: Madam Chairman, I move the previous question

18. 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 Example: Mr. Chairman, I move to table the motion

19. To take from the table • Purpose • To take a motion from the table • Requires a second • Not amendable • Not debatable • Majority vote • Can not interrupt another speaker Example: I move to take from the table the motion pertaining to . . .

20. Division of the house • Purpose • To obtain a more accurate vote when an oral vote is in question • Does not require a second • Not amendable • Not debatable • No vote needed

21. Division of the house con’t • 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” • Wait until the chairman has announced the results

22. 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

23. Point of Order con’t • Can interrupt another speaker 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.”

24. Adjourn • Purpose • To end the meeting • Needs a second • Not amendable • Not debatable • Majority vote • Can not interrupt another speaker Example: Mr. Chairman, I move to adjourn.

25. 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, Chairman’s decision

26. Question of Privilege(con’t) • Can interrupt another speaker • Example: • Madam President, I rise to a question of privilege. President says, “State your question.” Then the member asks for his privilege and the president decides on whether it will be allowed or not.

27. Parliamentary Inquiry • Purpose • To ask how to properly use parliamentary procedure • Does not require a second • Not debatable • Not amendable • Can interrupt a speaker

28. Parliamentary Inquiry(con’t) • Chairman or parliamentarian explains proper procedure • Example: “Mr. Chairman, I rise to a parliamentary inquiry.” Chairman: “State your inquiry.”

29. Questions?