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Prepared for the use of Mu Phi Epsilon

Prepared for the use of Mu Phi Epsilon. By Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller Fraternity Parliamentarian 2017 International Convention. A Brief Guide to Parliamentary Procedure. Or…. “How Not to be Stuck in a Business Meeting All Year”. Making MUSIC is more fun than… …making regulations!.

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Prepared for the use of Mu Phi Epsilon

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  1. Prepared for the use ofMu Phi Epsilon By Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller Fraternity Parliamentarian 2017 International Convention

  2. A Brief Guide to Parliamentary Procedure Or…

  3. “How Not to be Stuck in a Business Meeting All Year” • Making MUSIC is more fun than… • …making regulations! • Spend more time in chamber music than… • …in legislative chambers!

  4. Who gets to talk? The one person at a time who is recognized and called upon to do so by…

  5. THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Ever wonder where the word “President” came from?)

  6. If you want to speak on the floor… • Get up and go to a microphone and wait for the Presiding Officer to call upon you. • If speaking for (Pro) a motion on the floor, hold up a green card as you wait • If speaking against (Con) a motion on the floor, hold up a red card as you wait • When recognized, begin by stating your name and the chapter whose delegate you are.

  7. Making a motion (proposing that the assembly take some action) • After being recognized and stating name and chapter, say “Madam President, I move that…” • You then should state your motion in words that say exactly what action you wish to suggest. • “I think we should do something about the high cost of music school tuition” is an opinion, not a motion. • If you want help crafting your proposal, consult the Resolutions Committee. (Allow 24 hours!)

  8. Once a motion has been made It MUST have a second from another voting member (unless it is presented by a recognized committee).

  9. Here’s what can happen with most motions that have no second:

  10. That is… • No explanation • No discussion • No debate • No amendment • NO VOTE

  11. Moral(s) of the story? • Make sure you’ve got a second before you bring up your great idea • Have the second already primed to go at the microphone; it saves time • Conversely, don’t second anything you really don’t want to spend time discussing • Not every idea is worthy of a second

  12. Once a motion has a second… DISCUSSION BEGINS!

  13. DISCUSSION • The maker of the motion may speak first in discussion of the motion but must adhere to normal rules concerning length of speech • Bring colored cards with you to the mic to indicate if you want to speak Pro/For (Green) or Con/Against (Red). The Chair will call upon Pro and Con speakers in alternation • Speakers should try to present NEW points, not merely repeat or agree with those already made • When there is no more discussion, the Chair may call for a vote

  14. While a duly seconded motion is “on the floor” under discussion… • No other agenda item or resolution can be considered • Discussion must be limited to matters that are directly germane to the motion • Only a few other motions can be made or other actions taken. Besides taking a recess, these include: • Withdrawing the motion • Amending the motion • Referring the motion • Moving the previous question

  15. Withdrawing the motion • Only the person or committee who made the motion can withdraw it. • Permission must be requested • “Madam President, I ask permission to withdraw the motion.” • The Chair asks if anyone objects. If no, the motion is withdrawn. If yes, the Chair may request a vote. • If the motion is withdrawn, all discussion of it immediately ceases and the Chair moves on to the next item of business

  16. Amending the motion • Any member of the body who has the floor may offer an amendment of the main motion. • A motion to amend must have a second and can be debated/discussed. • Once seconded, the motion to amend takes precedence and must be discussed and voted upon before the main motion.

  17. Effect of motion to amend on the main motion: Motion to amend fails Motion to amend passes Discussion returns to the main motion--which, however, now reads in its amended form Amended motion still can pass, fail, or be further amended. It is possible for the assembly to vote down a motion even after it has taken the time to vote to amend it • Discussion of the original, unchanged motion continues toward a vote • Original main motion ultimately can pass, fail, or be subject to further (but different) motions to amend

  18. Motion to Refer • A motion to refer a main motion currently before the assembly to a smaller group, such as a committee, to investigate or refine before being returned to the assembly for consideration. • Must be seconded and can be debated. • Debate must be limited to the advisability of referring the motion; discussing the merits of the main motion itself is out of order. • Once seconded, the motion to refer takes precedence and must be discussed/voted upon before any main motion or motion to amend.

  19. Moving the Previous Question • Is a way of limiting debate, usually employed when discussion appears to be getting circular • “Madam President, I move the previous question” • Must have a second • Cannot be discussed or debated • Requires a two-thirds vote (not a mere majority) to pass • If it passes, an immediate vote must be taken on the motion on the floor when it was introduced. If it fails, discussion of that motion continues.

  20. But what if I just have a question? What you want is a Point of Information!

  21. Point of Information • Questions are always asked of, or through, the Presiding Officer. Here’s an example: • Delegate: “Ima Starr, Talent Alumni. Madam President, I rise to a point of information.” • Chair: “The member will state the point.” • Delegate: “The motion calls for a large expenditure. Will the Treasurer state our present bank balance?”

  22. Let’s Try It Out! A Dramatization Featuring the Sterling Stand-in Stage Stars

  23. A motion is made… …and seconded!

  24. The maker of the motion explains a rationale

  25. Discussion continues, alternating Con and Pro views Note the red and green cards

  26. A delegate moves the Previous Question …in order to try to move the motion to a vote faster. A second is required.

  27. There is no debate—a vote is taken immediately • But the vote is a vote whether to vote on the main motion, not a vote on the motion itself • In this case, the vote fails, even though it received a majority, because a two-thirds majority is required • Consequently, debate on the main motion may continue

  28. A motion to amend the motion …is offered and seconded

  29. Now the motion to amend takes precedence • It must be voted upon before the main motion • It passes with a simple majority • The main motion therefore is amended, and that motion as amended is open for further discussion or a vote • You might notice that the maker of the original motion was not in favor of the amendment, but the majority was, so the motion is amended anyway.

  30. We have a winner!

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