Basics of Parliamentary Procedure

Origins of Parli-Pro

In the 16th century disputes between the King of England and parliament developed

This led to the development of parliamentary law First formal publication was written between 1562

and 1566 by Sir Thomas Smyth. Today we have Robert’s Rules of Order

Basic Rules

One subject at a time Each side must be given the opportunity to

voice their opinion Rights of the minority Voting must include both a positive and a

negative Must have a quorum of members to conduct

business

Other Important Info

Quorum- What is it? Minimum number of members that must be

present at a meeting for legal business to be transacted

1/2 of members in a club plus 1 Majority- What makes a majority?

1/2 of members present at any meeting plus 1 Presiding Officer referred to as:

Mr./Madam President Mr./Madam Chairperson

Use of the Gavel

One Tap – To sit down and follows the announcement of a vote

Two Taps - Calls meeting to order Three taps – means to stand Series to taps – used to restore order

Methods of Voting

Voice Vote - Yea or Ney Rising Vote

Raise of Hands Standing to be counted

Secret Ballot Roll Call

Agendas

Agendas are an established order of business that should be followed at every chapter meeting.

The chapter secretary is responsible for preparing an agenda for meetings.

Order of Business

Opening ceremonies Minutes of previous meeting

read or presented in writing Officer reports Special features (guest

speakers) Unfinished business Committee reports

Standing Special

New Business Degree & Installation

ceremonies ( only one time per year)

Closing ceremonies Recreation, refreshments,

entertainment, etc

Committees

Two most frequently used committees are: 1. Standing committees – committees found

in the Program of Activities 2. Special Committees – those appointed by

the President or contained in a motion presented by a member.

Nominations

Nominations may be made by: committee From the floor by a member

Nominations may be closed by : A two-thirds vote-requires a second and not

debatable. General consent

Five steps in making Nominations

Member rises, receives recognition from President and says, “Mr. President, I nominate….” No second required

President announces name of member nominated and asks for other nominations

Secretary keeps list of nominees

When nominations are complete, President calls for a vote

Results of election announced.

Elections

Candidates are voted on in the order they were nominated

It is not enough to receive the most votes, an individual must receive a majority of all votes cast. If three candidates are running for an office and not one

receive a majority of the votes, the one that received the least amount of votes would be dropped and a runoff would exist between the remaining two.

Role of the President or Chairman

To Preside over the meeting. Avoids expressing opinion of pending question A President/chairman does not vote unless to:

Break a tie (tie votes automatically fail unless the President wants to break the tie by voting.

Create a tie, making a motion fail Can vote during a secret ballot

Qualities of a Good Chair

Have self confidence Have knowledge of

Parliamentary Procedure

Always be democratic Gave a well developed

voice

Be able to think quickly Have a good memory Be skillful in leading

people Have neat appearance

What if a President wishes to voice an opinion during a meeting?

He can announce,”Will the Vice-President assume the duties of the chair?”

When business is concluded that the President wanted to conduct, the V-P at first opportunity should say, “Will the President please resume the duties of the chair.”

Qualities of Good members

Knowledge of your organization

Display orderly conduct Participation in the

meetings Ability to think quickly

Know parli pro Attend meetings Leave out personalities

to conduct business Be able to accept group

decisions Cooperate as a team

member

Handling Main Motions

Member addresses the Chair (Mr/Madam chairman/chairperson

Member is recognized Member presents a motion“I move that…” Motion must be seconded by another member (**

Motion dies without a second) The chairman makes the motion pending by

restating the question Motion is debatable Chairman takes vote on the motion Chairman announces results of vote

Withdrawing a Motion

A motion can be withdrawn if the member who seconded the motion consents to the withdrawal of the motion. The motion is cleared from the minutes as if it never

happened.

A motion can not be withdrawn after voting has started.

General Consent

The transaction of business is sometimes expedited by the President requesting approval by “general consent”.

Only works if there are not objections Avoids formality of motions, voting on routine

business and questions of little importance.

Adjourn

End of a meeting “I move to adjourn”

Recess

Call an intermission “I move we recess until….”

Lay on the Table

Suspend further consideration of an issue “I move we table the motion….”

Previous Question

Motion used to bring the assembly to an immediate vote on one or more pending questions

Requires a second Not Debatable or Amendable 2/3 Vote Terminates Discussion

Calling for Question

This is a method that allows members to know you are finished with discussion without going through the formality of a motion.

Procedure: You can simply say, “question”, without being recognized and without stopping discussion.

It informs the group of your position.

Limit Debate

Gives a time limit or topic limit of debate “I move the debate be limited to….”

Refer to Committee

Used to send a pending motion to a small group for further study

Requires a second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote

Amendments

5 Ways: By striking out By inserting By adding to By striking out and inserting By dividing motion into two or more

motions, so as to get a separate vote on any part

The purpose of an amendment is to change the intent or purpose of the original motion

Amendments (continued)

Members may do the following with the motion and amendment:

1) Accept both the amendment and original motion

2) Reject the amendment and accept original motion

3) Reject both amendment and original motion

Postpone Indefinitely

Kills the main motion “I move to postpone indefinitely”

Rise to a Point of Order

Seeks to avoid the breaking of any parliamentary rule and to insist on enforcement of rules

Member does not have to be recognized. The President listens to member and decides if point

is sustained or not sustained. If decision is unacceptable, member can appeal from

the decision of the chair.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Obtain advise on parliamentary procedure “I raise a parliamentary inquiry”

Point of Information

Requests information from the maker of a motion

Must be in the form of a question “Point of information…”

Division of the House

A member may call for a division of the house when he/she disagrees with the vote as announced by the President

Does not require a second Must be called for immediately after the voice

vote A rising vote is then required.

Suspend the Rules

Temporarily stop a specific rule “I move to suspend the rules so that….”

Motion to Reconsider

Purpose: to secure another vote by allowing further consideration of a question(item of business)

2nd required Debatable Majority vote

Quiz (7 Points)1. Name the motion one would make to stop debate and

proceed to a vote

2. Name the motion one would make to ask advise on parliamentary procedure

3. Name the motion one would make to kill a main motion

4. If an organization has 50 members, how many would have to be present for a quorum?

5. If I voted against a motion that ended up passing, can I move to reconsider the vote?

6. A Point of Information must be in the form of a _______________.

7. Name of the motion one would give for a short intermission.

Parli-Pro In Everyday Life