Parliamentary Procedure

What is parliamentary procedure?

• An effective and efficient way to conduct a meeting using democratic principles.– The right for all to debate (even minority)– Majority rule

• Jarrell D. Gray is an outline of Robert’s Rules of Order (British Parliament).

Introduction

• Formal parliamentary procedure– FFA and 4-H Contests

– Large meetings

• Informal parliamentary procedure– Small meetings

Using your Guide

• Preface• Classification and Summary of Motions• Table of Contents• Importance of Parliamentary Procedure• Teaching Parliamentary Procedure• Fundamental Practices• Classification/All the motions• Order of Business/Minutes and Treasures Report• Review Questions

Presenting a Motion

• Rise and address the chair

• Recognition from the chair

• Reason for the motion

• Statement of the motion (I move that…)

• Second (if it’s required)

• Repeat of the motion by the chair

Main Motion

• To present an item of business for consideration and action by the chapter.– A second is required– Debatable – Amendable– Majority vote– Can be reconsidered

Example

• Rise and receive recognition from the chair

• “Our chapter is running low on funds; therefore, I move that the chapter have a concession stand at the basketball game.

Seconding the Motion

• Rise and and state in unison:– “Mr./Mdm. President/Chairperson, I second the

motion

• Once a motion has been seconded, the chair restates the motion– “It has been moved and seconded that the

chapter have a concession stand at the basketball game.”

Voting

• Voice

• Show of hands

• Rising (stand)

• Ballot

• Majority

• 2/3– Rising

– General Consent

Voting (Cont.)

• “All those in favor of having a concession stand at the basketball game say I…..all opposed say no……..the I’s have it, we will have a concession stand at the basketball game.”

Amend

• To modify the motion that is under consideration.

• Requires a second

• Debatable

• Amendable to the second rank

• It can be reconsidered

Amend (cont.)

• “Give a reason; therefore I move to amend the motion by– Striking out words

– Inserting words

– Striking out and inserting words

Amend (cont.)

Motion

1st rank amendment

2nd rank amendment

Amend (cont.)

• “Basketball season is almost over; therefore I move to amend the motion by striking out the word basketball and inserting baseball.”

• “Our schedule will allow us to have a concession stand at every game; therefore, I move to amend the amendment by inserting the words at every baseball game.”

Lay on the table

• To temporarily delay action on an item of business.

• Requires a second

• Undebatable

• Unamendable

• Majority vote

• Cannot be reconsidered

Lay on the table (cont.)

• Give a reason; “therefore I move that we lay this motion on the table.”

• What happens to the amendments of a motion that is tabled?

– They are tabled as well.

Take from the table

• To again bring a question before the chapter for further consideration.

• Requires a second

• Undebatable

• Unamendable

• Majority vote

• Cannot be reconsidered

Take from the table (cont.)

• Give a reason; “therefore, I move that we take this from the table.

• What happens if the motion was tabled during an amendment and take from the table passes?– The business comes back in the same form as it

was tabled.

Division of the Assembly

• To determine the accuracy of a vote, especially when taken by voice or by show of hands.

• A second is not required• Undebatable and Unamendable• Recognition is not necessary• It can interrupt a speaker• It cannot be reconsidered• Simple say “division” during the vote

announcement.

Point of Order

• To enforce the rules by calling attention to a violation of the rules or a mistake in procedure.

• Doesn’t require a second• Undebatable and Unamendable• Recognition is not necessary• A vote is not required unless it is referred to the

chapter for their decision• Cannot be reconsidered• Can interrupt a speaker

Point of Order (Cont.)

• When a violation or mistake takes place, a member can rise and state “Mr./Mdm. President/Chairperson, I rise to a point of order”

• The point must then be stated by the member, and then restated by the presiding officer.

Parliamentary Inquiry

• To permit a member to gain parliamentry information.

• A second is not required• Undebatable and Unamendable• A vote is not required• It cannot be reconsidered• A vote is not required• It can interrupt a speaker

Parliamentary Inquiry (Cont.)

• “Mr./Mdm. President/Chairperson, I rise to a point of parliamentary inquiry.”

• Presiding officer- “State your point.”

• The member can then ask a parliamentary question.

Appeal from the decision of the Chair

• To obtain a decision from the chapter to a question on which the president has made a decision.

• Requires a second• Debatable, unless it relates to indecorum• Cannot be amended• A majority or tie vote sustains the chair• It can be reconsidered• Does not require recognition

Appeal (cont.)

• “Mr./Mdm. President, I appeal from the decision of the chair”

• “Mr./Mdm. President, I second the appeal”

• “Would you state your appeal?”

• The member must then give a reason

• After the vote the chair is either “sustained” or not “sustained”.

Previous Question

• To terminate discussion on the motion or motions before the chapter and to secure an immediate vote.

• Undebatable• Unamendable• Two-thirds vote• It may be reconsidered before the affirmative vote

is taken on the pending question, or questions.

Previous Question (Cont.)

• “Mr./Mdm. President/Chairperson, (Recognition) I move the previous question.”

Refer to a Committee

• To place the question temporarily in a committee.

• Second is Required

• Debatable and Amendable

• Majority Vote

• It may be reconsidered before the committee takes up the question.

Refer to a Committee (cont.)

• “I believe we need more information on this matter; therefore, I move to refer this motion to committee.”

• Standing

• Special

• Power to act?

• Committee members?

Suspend Standing Rules

• To permit the chapter to do something that cannot be done without violating its standing rules.

• Second is required

• Undebatable and Unamendable

• Majority vote

• Cannot be reconsidered

Nominations and Elections

• To present to the chapter the name of a candidate for a certain office or position.

• A second is not required to nominate

• A majority vote is required to elect

Opening Nominations

• Reason (information or a main motion)

• Opening or reopening nominations– Second– Undebatable and Amendable as to time only– Majority Vote– Only the negative vote can be reconsidered

Closing Nominations

• Second

• Undebatable and Amendable as to time only

• 2/3 vote

Leave to Withdraw a Motion

• To permit the withdrawal of a motion from consideration by the chapter

• Second is not required• Undebatable and Unamendable• Majority Vote• Cannot be withdrawn after voting has

commenced• Affirmative vote may not be reconsidered

Leave to Withdraw (cont.)

• “Permission is requested to withdraw my motion.”

Reconsider

• To permit the reconsidering of a vote previously taken on a motion and to again reconsider the question.

• Second• Debatable if the question to which it applies is

debatable• Unamendable• Majority Vote• Cannot be Reconsidered

Reconsider (cont.)

• “I move to reconsider the vote on the motion that……I voted on the prevailing side.”

• After reconsider passes, you must act on the motion itself!

Rescind

• To cancel action taken by the chapter.• Second• Debatable and Amendable• Majority if previous notice, otherwise two-

thirds.• It cannot be applied to action that cannot be

reversed• Only the negative vote can be reconsidered

Rescind (cont.)

• “I move to rescind the motion that….”

• If rescind passes, the motion is eliminated!

Adjourn (unqualified)

• To terminate the meeting.• Second• Undebatable and Unamendable• Majority vote• Cannot be reconsidered• Cannot be done while the chapter is voting!• When time is designated, it becomes qualified and

is treated like a main motion.

Let’s get out of here!