Parliamentary Parliamentary ProcedureProcedure

Parliamentary Parliamentary Procedure:Procedure:

A set of rules used to conduct a A set of rules used to conduct a meeting in an orderly mannermeeting in an orderly manner

3 major functions:3 major functions: 1. Ensure meetings run smoothly1. Ensure meetings run smoothly 2. Help group focus on issues 2. Help group focus on issues

most important to entire groupmost important to entire group 3. Ensure that meetings are run 3. Ensure that meetings are run

according to democratic according to democratic principlesprinciples

Parliamentary Parliamentary Procedure:Procedure:

5 basic principles:5 basic principles: 1. One question at a time- handle one 1. One question at a time- handle one

issue before considering another; issue before considering another; maintain ordermaintain order

2. Majority rule- simple majority = at least 2. Majority rule- simple majority = at least one more than ½ of people who votedone more than ½ of people who voted

3. Protection of minority rights- minority 3. Protection of minority rights- minority = less than ½ of group agrees; hear all = less than ½ of group agrees; hear all viewpointsviewpoints

4. Equality of rights and responsibilities- 4. Equality of rights and responsibilities- precedenceprecedence

5. Free debate- discussion where pro & 5. Free debate- discussion where pro & con speeches alternatecon speeches alternate

Parliamentary ProcedureParliamentary Procedure Quorum = minimum number of Quorum = minimum number of

members that must be present for the members that must be present for the group to conduct businessgroup to conduct business

Chair/ Presiding Officer- names for Chair/ Presiding Officer- names for person running the meetingperson running the meeting Duties: Duties:

Maintain control- members follow parli. Maintain control- members follow parli. procedureprocedure

Maintain order- prevent filibustering = making Maintain order- prevent filibustering = making long speeches to waste time to prevent vote on long speeches to waste time to prevent vote on issueissue

Act impartially- don’t take sidesAct impartially- don’t take sides Recognize speakers impartially- precedenceRecognize speakers impartially- precedence

MotionsMotions Motion- proposal for action made by a memberMotion- proposal for action made by a member

Main motions- set forth new items of business to be Main motions- set forth new items of business to be considered; require a second before they can be considered; require a second before they can be debated and a simple majority votedebated and a simple majority vote

Subsidiary motions- allow members to change or Subsidiary motions- allow members to change or dispose of a main motion being discussed; proposed dispose of a main motion being discussed; proposed after main motion to which they apply; must be after main motion to which they apply; must be debated and voted on before group can return to debated and voted on before group can return to main motionmain motion

Lay on the table- temporary postponement of action; Lay on the table- temporary postponement of action; requires simple majorityrequires simple majority

Previous question- immediate vote to stop discussion on a Previous question- immediate vote to stop discussion on a motion; requires 2/3 majoritymotion; requires 2/3 majority

Limit/ extend debate- calls for time limit; requires 2/3 Limit/ extend debate- calls for time limit; requires 2/3 majoritymajority

Amend- change wording of motion; requires simple majorityAmend- change wording of motion; requires simple majority

Motions (cont.)Motions (cont.) Privileged motions- concern running of meeting itselfPrivileged motions- concern running of meeting itself

Adjourn- calls for meeting to close; requires simple majorityAdjourn- calls for meeting to close; requires simple majority Recess- calls for a break; requires simple majorityRecess- calls for a break; requires simple majority Question of privilege- calls for immediate action on such Question of privilege- calls for immediate action on such

things as lighting, heating, disturbances, etc.; no vote things as lighting, heating, disturbances, etc.; no vote required- only approval of chairrequired- only approval of chair

Incidental motions- relate to questions of procedureIncidental motions- relate to questions of procedure Point of order- request info. about something in order or to Point of order- request info. about something in order or to

point out a violation of parli. procedure; no vote requiredpoint out a violation of parli. procedure; no vote required Suspend the rules- allows members to do something not Suspend the rules- allows members to do something not

normally allowed by the rules; requires 2/3 majoritynormally allowed by the rules; requires 2/3 majority Renewal motions- get discussion reopened on Renewal motions- get discussion reopened on

decisions already madedecisions already made Reconsider- discussion of motion already passed; requires Reconsider- discussion of motion already passed; requires

simple majoritysimple majority Rescind- cancellation of action taken on previous motion; Rescind- cancellation of action taken on previous motion;

requires 2/3 majorityrequires 2/3 majority Take from the table- reopen discussion of a motion that had Take from the table- reopen discussion of a motion that had

earlier been laid on the table; requires simple majorityearlier been laid on the table; requires simple majority

Amending a MotionAmending a Motion

Amendment must be specific; insert, Amendment must be specific; insert, add, strike out, strike out and insert, add, strike out, strike out and insert, substitutesubstitute

Amendment must be germane to a Amendment must be germane to a motion; germane = must relate to motion; germane = must relate to issue of original motionissue of original motion

Amendment cannot be made by Amendment cannot be made by inserting word inserting word notnot into the main into the main motionmotion

VotingVoting

Previous question- oral vote “Aye,” “No,” Previous question- oral vote “Aye,” “No,” or “Abstain”or “Abstain”

Abstain = member does not wish to Abstain = member does not wish to support or oppose motion being voted support or oppose motion being voted uponupon

When vote is too close to call, group can When vote is too close to call, group can call for a division of assembly- requires call for a division of assembly- requires chair to call for a 2chair to call for a 2ndnd vote done in a vote done in a different method from one used in 1different method from one used in 1stst votevote