Parliamentary Procedure

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.”

Voice Show of hands Rising (stand) Ballot Majority 2/3 Rising General Consent Voting

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!

Parliamentary Procedure