The APTA House of Delegates:Democracy in Action
The Basics of Parliamentary Procedure
Based on Robert’s Rules of Order,
Newly Revised, 10th Edition
Stephen M. Levine, PT, DPT, MSHA, RPSpeaker of the House
APTA Board of Directors
Revised, February 2008
The APTA House of Delegates: A Professional Democracy
In a democratic society, rules ensure freedom and respect for all
The APTA House of Delegates (HOD) is analogous to other legislative bodies such as Congress or your state legislature
The HOD, formally deliberates policy, has the power to charge the Board of Directors to carry out activities on behalf of the Association
APTA Governance = Democracy
The governance process of our Association is a fascinating example of democracy at work
Allows for the ability for those with differing viewpoints to come together, discuss and debate an issue, often with passion, in an arena that allows for the majority to rule, but which requires the rights of the minority be protected.
The HOD: A Deliberative Assembly
Operates according to bylaws which can only be revised (known as amending) by giving “notice” and by a 2/3 vote of the body
Must follow Special Rules of Order, Rules of Order, and the Parliamentary authority
The Parliamentary Authority The most commonly used is
Robert’s Rules of Order (Newly Revised), 10th Edition, 2000 (RONR)
There are several parliamentary authorities including Robert, Sturgis, Demeter, and others
All APTA components (Chapters, Sections, and Assemblies) use RONR X
Robert’s Rules of Order (RONR)
Purpose: “To enable the overall membership of an
organization to establish and empower an effective leadership as it wishes, and at the same time to retain exactly the degree of control over its affairs that is chooses to reserve to itself.”
»RONR (10th ed.) p. XLVII
Know the Rules!!
Sporting events have rules and referees Deliberative Assemblies have RONR and
parliamentarians! Knowing the rules gives you knowledge,
confidence, and power When you know how to negotiate the system,
making an impact is possible You can select strategies from the Rules to
achieve your goals
Robert’s Rules of Order (RONR)
Ultimately, it is the majority of delegates in the HOD who decide the general will, but only following the opportunity for a deliberative process of full and free discussion.
RONR is not concerned with the wisdom of a specific decision, but with the process by which the group arrives at the decision.
Parliamentary Procedure RONR: The Basics
Ranking Motions Main Motion Subsidiary Motions Privileged Motions Procedure for
Handling a Main Motion
Process of Amending Incidental Motions
Motions that Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly
Motions Arising out of Committee Reports
Forms of Voting Previous Notice Bylaws Standing Rules Meeting vs. Session
RONR: Ranking Motions
Thirteen (13) Ranking Motions So named because they have rank and are the
only ones with rank A lower ranking motion may not be made when
a higher ranking motion is pending Pending is the term used when a motion has
been stated by the chair and is being discussed Lowest rank: Main Motion Highest Rank: Fix The Time To Which To
Adjourn
RONR: 13 Ranking Motions
1. Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn2. Adjourn3. Recess4. Raise a Question of Privilege5. Call for the Orders of the Day6. Lay on the Table7. Previous Question8. Limit or Extend the Limits of Debate9. Postpone to a Certain Time (Postpone Definitely)10. Commit or Refer11. Amend12. Postpone Indefinitely13. Main Motion
RONR: Main MotionRank = 13
Lowest Ranking motion Original Main Motion: Introduces new business Incidental Main Motion: Relates to or is incidental to
business of the assembly, but does not mark the beginning of a particular involvement of the assembly in a substantive matter Rescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted Adopt recommendations of a committee Ratify action taken at a meeting where no quorum
was present
Questions to be Addressed for Main Motions, Incidental Motions, and Motions that bring a
question again before the assembly
1. Can someone wishing to make this motion interrupt someone who already has the floor?
2. Does this motion require a second in order to be heard?
3. Is this motion debatable?4. Is this motion amendable?5. What kind of vote does it take to pass this
motion?6. Can the motion, as passed or failed, be
reconsidered at a later time?
RONR: Main MotionRank = 13
1. In order when another has the floor: No
2. Requires a Second: Yes
3. Debatable: Yes
4. Amendable: Yes
5. Vote required for adoption: Majority
Exceptions: Main motions that require a 2/3 vote Motion to adopt or suspend rules of order Amend something previously adopted without notice Amend bylaws
6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes
RONR: Subsidiary Motions
A subsidiary motion assists the assembly in treating or disposing of a main motion and sometimes of other motions
A form of secondary motion
RONR: Subsidiary MotionsPostpone Indefinitely
Rank: 12
Purpose: To kills the main motion and avoid a direct vote on the question
Criteria:
1. In order when another has the floor: No
2. Requires a Second: Yes
3. Debatable: Yes Debate can go into the merits of the main
question4. Amendable: No
5. Vote required for adoption: Majority
6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes Only if the vote was in the affirmative
RONR: Subsidiary MotionsAmendRank: 11
Purpose: To modify the wording and (somewhat) the meaning of a pending question
Criteria:1. In order when another has the floor: No2. Requires a Second: Yes3. Debatable: Yes
Only when the question to which it applies is debatable
4. Amendable: Yes Unless pending question is a secondary
amendment5. Vote required for adoption: Majority 6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes
RONR: Subsidiary MotionsCommit or Refer
Rank: 10Purpose: To send a pending question to a relatively small
group (Board, Committee, etc.) so that the question may be carefully investigated and put into better condition for the assembly to consider
Criteria:1. In order when another has the floor: No2. Requires a Second: Yes3. Debatable: Yes4. Amendable: Yes5. Vote required for adoption: Majority 6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes
Only if the committee has not begun consideration of the question referred
RONR: Subsidiary MotionsPostpone to a Certain Time
(Postpone Definitely) Rank: 9
Purpose: To put off action on a pending question, within limits, to a definite day, meeting, or hour, or until after a certain event
Criteria:
1. In order when another has the floor: No
2. Requires a Second: Yes
3. Debatable: Yes
4. Amendable: Yes
5. Vote required for adoption: Majority
6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes
RONR: Subsidiary MotionsLimit or Extend Limits of Debate
Rank: 8
Purpose: To exercise special control over debate on a pending question or in a series of pending questions
Criteria:
1. In order when another has the floor: No
2. Requires a Second: Yes
3. Debatable: No
4. Amendable: Yes
5. Vote required for adoption: Two-Thirds (2/3)
6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes
RONR: Subsidiary MotionsPrevious Question
Rank: 7
Purpose: 1) To bring the assembly to an immediate vote; 2)To close debate, and 3)To stop amendment of the immediately pending question and such other questions as the motion may specify
Criteria:1. In order when another has the floor: No2. Requires a Second: Yes3. Debatable: No4. Amendable: No5. Vote required for adoption: Two-Thirds (2/3) 6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes
Can be reconsidered before any vote has been taken under the order for the previous question
RONR: Subsidiary MotionsLay on the Table
Rank: 6
Purpose: To lay the pending question aside temporarily when something else of immediate urgency has arisen
Criteria:
1. In order when another has the floor: No
2. Requires a Second: Yes
3. Debatable: No
4. Amendable: No
5. Vote required for adoption: Majority
6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: No
RONR: Privileged Motions
A privileged motion deals with special matters of immediate importance. It does not relate to the pending business.
A form of secondary motion
RONR: Privileged MotionsCall for the Orders of the Day
Rank: 5
Purpose: To require the assembly to conform to its agenda, program, or order of business
Criteria:
1. In order when another has the floor: Yes
2. Requires a Second: No
3. Debatable: No
4. Amendable: No
5. Vote required for adoption: Demand On demand as a request, but a 2/3 vote by the
assembly can set them aside6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: No
RONR: Privileged MotionsRaise a Question of Privilege
Rank: 4
Purpose: To bring up for immediate consideration a request or motion relating to the rights and privileges of the assembly or any of its members
Criteria:
1. In order when another has the floor: Yes
2. Requires a Second: No
3. Debatable: No
4. Amendable: No
5. Vote required for adoption: Chair Rules on request If motion is required, it is an incidental main
motion and requires a majority vote6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: No
RONR: Privileged MotionsRecess
Rank: 3
Purpose: To begin a recess immediately
Criteria:
1. In order when another has the floor: No
2. Requires a Second: Yes
3. Debatable: No
4. Amendable: Yes
5. Vote required for adoption: Majority
6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: No
RONR: Privileged MotionsAdjourn
Rank: 2
Purpose: To close the meeting immediately
Criteria:
1. In order when another has the floor: No
2. Requires a Second: Yes
3. Debatable: No
4. Amendable: No
5. Vote required for adoption: Majority
6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: No
RONR: Privileged MotionsFix the Time to Which to Adjourn
Rank: 1
Purpose: To set the time, and sometimes the place, for another meeting to continue business of the session, with no effect on when the present meeting will adjourn
Criteria:
1. In order when another has the floor: No
2. Requires a Second: Yes
3. Debatable: No
4. Amendable: Yes
5. Vote required for adoption: Majority
6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes
RONR: Incidental Motions
An incidental motion is related to the parliamentary situation in such a way that it must be decided before business can proceed.
A form of secondary motion
RONR: Incidental MotionsNo Rank
Appeal To challenge a ruling by the chair and have the
assembly make the final decisionDivision of the Assembly Whenever a member doubts the results of a voice
vote, a Division is used to require the vote to be retaken by standing
Objection to the Consideration of the Question To avoid a motion altogether Can be raised only before there has been any
debate or before any subsidiary motion has been stated by the chair
RONR: Incidental MotionsNo Rank
Point of Information A request directed to the chair, or through the chair to
another officer or member, for information relevant to the business at hand but not related to parliamentary procedure
Point of Order When a member thinks the rules of the assembly are
being violated, this is used to call upon the chair for a ruling enforcing the rules
Request for Permission to Withdraw a Motion Required after the motion to which it pertains has been
stated by the chair as pending
RONR: Motions that Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly
Take from the Table To bring a “tabled” motion back before the assemblyRescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted To change an action previously taken or orderedDischarge a Committee To take a matter out of a committee’s hands after
referring it to the committee and before the committee has made a final report
Reconsider To bring back for further consideration a motion which
already has been voted on. The motion must be made, but not necessarily taken up, no later than the meeting after the one at which the vote to be reconsidered was taken.
RONR: Procedure for Handling a Main Motion
I. Obtaining and assigning the floor
1. A member rises when no one else has the floor and addresses the chair
2. The Chair recognizes the member by announcing his name or title
RONR: Procedure for Handling a Main Motion
II. How the motion is brought before the assembly
1. The member makes the motion
(“I move that…..”)
2. Another member, without needing to rise, seconds the motion
(“I second the motion”, or “second”)3. The chair states the question on the motion
(“It is moved and seconded that…”)
RONR: Procedure for Handling a Main Motion
III. Consideration of the motionA. Members can debate the motion
1. Before speaking in debate, members obtain the floor
2. The maker of the motion has first right to the floor if he claims it promptly
3. All remarks must be addressed to the chair4. Debate must be confined to the merits of
the motion5. Debate can be closed only by order of the
assembly (2/3 vote) or by the chair if no one seeks the floor for further debate
RONR: Procedure for Handling a Main Motion
III. Consideration of the motion
B. The chair puts the question (puts it to a vote)1. The chair asks: “Are you ready for the
question?”2. If no one rises to claim the floor, the chair
proceeds to put the question3. The chair states:
1. “The question is on the adoption of the motion that….”
2. “As many as are in favor, say ‘Aye’3. “Those opposed say ‘No’.”
C. The chair announces the result of the vote
RONR: Process of Amending
The adoption of the motion to amend does not adopt the motion thereby amended; that motion remains pending in its modified form
A member’s vote on an amendment does not obligate him to vote on a particular way on the motion to which the amendment applies
An amendment must always be germane—that is, closely related to or having a bearing on the subject of the motion to be amended
RONR: Process of Amending There are three basic processes of amendment, the third
of which is an indivisible combination of the first two:
1. To insert or add To insert words, or if they are placed at the end of
the sentence or passage being amended, to add words (or a paragraph)
2. To strike out To strike out words or a paragraph
3. To strike out and insert, or to substitute To strike out and insert applies to words To substitute applies to striking out an entire
paragraph, or the entire text of a main motion, and inserting another
RONR: Forms of Voting Voice Vote
The most commonly used form of voting Chair puts the question and calls for the “Aye” votes
and “No” votes Rising Vote
The normal method of voting on motions requiring a two-thirds vote for adoption.
Used to verify a voice vote Can be ordered by the chair, or by a single member
who calls for a “Division” of the assembly Counted Vote
Can be ordered by the chair or ordered by a majority vote of the assembly
RONR: Previous Notice Requirement of previous notice means the
announcement that the motion will be introduced, including its exact content, must be included in the call of the meeting
Motions that have the effect of changing or nullifying the previous action of the assembly require previous notice if they are to be adopted by only a majority vote
The adoption or amendment of bylaws or special rules of order require previous notice and a two-thirds vote
The notice becomes invalid if the motion is amended beyond the scope of the notice
RONR: Bylaws Bylaws have an important bearing on the rights and
duties of members within the organization, and on the degree to which the general membership is to retain control of, or be relieved of detailed concern with, the society’s business.
Except as the rules of a society may provide otherwise, its assembly has full and sole power to act for the entire organization, and does so by majority vote
Any limitation or standing delegation of the assembly’s power with respect to the society as a whole can only be by provision in the bylaws
Bylaws should be made no more restrictive nor more detailed in specification than necessary
RONR: Bylaws
Bylaws and special rules of order (which deal with parliamentary procedure) contain the provisions of a society that are expected to have stability from session to session, and to represent the judgment of the whole society as distinguished from the members voting at any one session
These bylaws and rules require both Previous Notice, and Two-Thirds vote for amendment
Rules of order require a two-thirds vote for suspension Bylaws cannot be suspended
RONR: Meeting vs. Session
Each event of the members’ being assembled to transact business constitutes a separate meeting
The complete unit of engagement in proceedings by the assembly is a session, which consists of of one or more connected meetings
One session cannot tie the hands of the majority at any later session
RONR: Standing Rules
Standing Rules usually contain both parliamentary rules relating to the conduct of business, and non-parliamentary rules
Although Standing Rules can be adopted by a majority vote at any session and continues in force until it is rescinded or amended, such a rule does not interfere materially with the freedom of a later session, since it can be suspended for the duration of any session (but not for longer) by a majority vote
The effect of Standing Rules expires at the close of the session that adopts them
Logistics of the House Pre-HOD activities are organized to occur while
onsite, but before the House actually begins, to allow delegates from different components to have some preliminary discussions on the issues Chief/Section/Assembly strategies meetings Motion Discussion groups Independently scheduled Regional Caucus
meetings, if desired by delegates Once the HOD begins, motions are taken up in the
order assigned by the Reference Committee RC 1-07, RC 2-07, RC 3-07, RC 4-07, etc.
Logistics of the House
The Speaker of the House (Speaker) conducts the proceedings of the HOD in accordance with Association Bylaws, Standing Rules and our parliamentary authority
The merits of a motion may be discussed as long as the deliberative body chooses to discuss it.
Logistics of the House
The Speaker makes an attempt to alternate debate between opposing viewpoints so that discussion can flow and all views may be heard
For most motions, a majority vote of those present is necessary to adopt a motion (others require 2/3)
If adopted, the motion becomes an Association position, policy, guideline, or standard.
If the motion is defeated, the next order of business is taken up and the process begins again
“Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least
of liberty.”
…..Henry M. Robert
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