Parliamentary Procedure

1. Parliamentary Procedure Ag I Lesson 2

2. Main Motion • Should be made to introduce an item of business • Proper wording is “I move that…” • “I so move” and “I make a motion” are incorrect • Should be made prior to debate on the item of business

3. Six Steps in Handling a Motion • Making the Motion • Member rises and states “Mr./Mdm. President” • President States- the member’s name • “Sue” states – “I move we purchase jackets for our officers”

4. Six Steps in Handling a Main Motion • Second • Person can call second without being recognized by the chair • Chair States the Question • i.e.—motion has been moved and seconded that we purchase jackets for our officers” • Up to this point, the motion belongs to the proposer. After the chair states the motion, it belongs to the assembly

5. Six Steps in Handling a Main Motion • Debate • Each member may debate each debatable motion twice for 10 minutes each time • Rules as to whom the chair selects to debate if more than one member rises at one to debate a motion are • Proposer of the motion has the right to speak first. • If none of the members rising to debate are the proposer of the motion, then call on the person who hasn’t debated up to that time.

6. Six Steps in Handling a Main Motion • Chair Puts the Question • The Chair merely states- “All in favor of the motion to …. Say Aye, opposed say No, Nay or same sign.

7. Six Steps in Handling a Main Motion • Vote • Notice the number of votes for and against • After the vote, the chair should state the result- “ The ayes (Nays) have it, the motion passes (fails) and the effect; We will (will not) purchase jackets for our officers.”

8. Amend • Three ways to amend are • Add • Strike out • Both add and strike out • Can only be one primary amendment and one secondary amendment (amendment to the amendment) to the main motion pending at any given time

9. Request for Information • Information dealing with non-parliamentary items • Can interrupt the speaker • Proper wording– “Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of information.”

10. Parliamentary Inquiry • Questions dealing only with parliamentary procedure • May be used instead of point of order if you are not sure that the person is out of order • A “kinder” way of correcting a person who is out of order • Proper wording is “Mr./Madame President I rise to a Parliamentary Inquiry.”

11. Refer to Committee • Person making the motion to refer is usually appointed to the committee (unless referred to a standing committee) and is the committee chairman • Proper wording is “I refer to a committee of three, appointed by the chair, the motion that….” or “I move to refer to the finance committee the motion that…”

12. Adjourn • Can be made while other motions are pending • Meeting is not adjourned until the chairman says so. • After the motion to adjourn passes the chairman should hesitate prior to declaring the meeting adjourned • Things which can occur after the motion to adjourn passes and before the chairman declared adjournment are • 1) Motion made to fix the time to which to adjourn • 2) Move to reconsider • 3) Move to reconsider and enter on the minutes • 4) Announcements