Parliamentary Procedure & Public Speaking

Public Speaking CDE’s in FFA•Prepared Public Speaking:oMemorized using a manuscript.oBased on an agriculture topic.

•Extemporaneous Public Speaking:oGiven 30 minutes to prepare.oSpeech is delivered without using a manuscript or

from memorization. Very little preparation ahead of time.

Benefits of Good Communication•One of the most important factors in determining

career success.

•Oral communications is always one of the top skills demanded by employers.oWhat career does not need good communication skills?

• It will help you voice your opinion in important situations:oParentoCitizenoCustomeroTax Payer

Benefits of Good Communication

•It is the nature of humans to form groups:oRelationships depend on communication skills.

•Learn the ability to:oPersuade others.oChange things for the better.oSeek civil justice and human rights.oDisplay democracy and the freedom of speech.

What is Parliamentary Procedure???

•A systematic way of organizing meetings.•Governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.

Parliamentary Procedure Extends Courtesy to EVERYONE!!!

Properly Getting Recognition•Members must be recognized to speak.

•Members ask the chair for recognition

•In order to be recognized:oMembers must stand up.oOnce standing they must say “Madame/Mr.

President”

Handling Motions•There may only be one main motion on

the floor at one time.

•The main motion is made by saying, “I move.”

Parliamentary Procedure Observes the Rule of the Majority

•Only motions that have been seconded can be discussed and take the time of the group.

•Most motions require a majority vote to pass.oThe chapter takes action only after a

majority agrees it should be taken.

Parliamentary Procedure Ensures the Rights of the Minority

•Even the minority has the right to voice their opinion through discussion.

•Because of this right it takes a 2/3 vote to stop discussion.

Parliamentary Procedure Terms

•Majority: ½ of the members present plus 1.

•Minority: Less than ½ of the members present.

•Quorum: 2/3 of the total membership; this number must be present to conduct business for the group.

•The chairperson uses the gavel to control aspects of the meeting.

•The number of taps determines the meaning.

Number of Taps•One Tap:oTells members to be seated.oUsed after passing or rejecting a main motion.

Action on a motion was takenoUsed after the announcement that a meeting is

adjourned.

•Two Taps:oCalls the meeting to order.

Number of Taps•Three Taps:oSignals members to rise during opening and

closing ceremonies.

•Series of Taps:oUsed to restore order in the group.

Order of Business = Agenda

•Keeps the meeting moving forward.

•Provides a framework for the meeting.

Step 1: Call to Order•Performed by the president

•Opening ceremony is included in this part of FFA meetings

Step 2: Reading of Minutes•Reminds members of what happened during

the last meeting.•Read by secretary•Must be approved by the body

Step 3: Treasurer Report•Reports the financial standing of the club.

Step 4: Chapter Report•Officers and committee chairpersons

report on chapter Program of Activities.

Step 5: Old Business•Business left over from the previous

meeting.

Step 6: New Business•Presented by members in the form of

motions.

Step 7: Adjournment & Closing Ceremony

•Ends the meeting.•Can happen by:oPassing a motion.oHaving consensus of the body.

Presiding Officers•Examples:oCompany ChairmanoOrganization PresidentoSpeaker of the HouseoChapter FFA President

•Must be fair and impartial.

•Must leave the chair when they wish to discuss business.

Voting•Four Ways to Vote:oVoiceoStandingoRoll CalloSecret Ballot

•The Chair can vote ONLY to make or break a tie.

Main Motion•Used to get group approval for a new

project or some other course of action.

•Wording:o“I move…”

Steps to handling a Main Motion1.Stand 2.Ask to be recognized by President3.President recognizes you by name4.Motion is correctly stated5.Motion is seconded6.Motion is repeated by President7.Motion is discussed8.President restates motion9.Motion is voted on10.Results of vote announced by President

Main Motion•Requires second

•Debatable

•Amendable

•Majority vote required

•Can be reconsidered

Amend•Used to change a main motion.•3 ways to amend:oAdditionoSubstitutionoStriking out

•Wording:o“I move to amend the motion…”

Amend•Requires second

•Debatable

•Amendable

•Majority vote required

•Can be reconsidered

Division of the House•To get a counted vote

•Not Debatable

•Not Amendable

•Member seeking division will simply say “division”

Refer to Committee•Used to gain more information on a

motion before voting.

•Must include:oThe number people on the committee.oWho appoints the committee.oWhat power to act the committee has• When to report back

Refer to Committee•Wording:o“I move to refer this motion to a

committee of three appointed by the president with full power to act. They will report back at our next

meeting.”

Refer to a Committee•Requires second

•Debatable

•Amendable

•Majority vote required

•Can be reconsidered

Point of Order•Used when one believes a

parliamentary error has been made.

•Wording:o“I rise to a point of order”

Point of Order•Does not require second

•Not Debatable

•Not Amendable

•Cannot reconsidered

•No vote required

Previous Question•Used to stop debate and vote.

•Wording:o“I move the previous question”

Previous Question•Requires second

•Not Debatable

•Not Amendable

•Can be reconsidered before vote

•2/3 vote required

Adjourn•Used to end a meeting.

•Wording:o“I move to adjourn”

Adjourn•Requires second

•Cannot be debated

•Cannot be amended

•Cannot be reconsidered

•Requires majority vote

Suspend the Rules•Used to allow the chapter to act in a

way that would be against the rules of parliamentary law of the constitutional laws of the organization.

•Wording:o“I move to suspend the rules…”

Suspend the Rules•Requires second

•Not Debatable

•Not Amendable

•2/3 vote required