Parliamentary ProcedureBy: Johnny M. JessupAgriculture Instructor/FFA Advisor

Parliamentary ProcedureDefinitionCorrect rules for conducting a successful meeting.Four goals of Parliamentary ProcedureExtend courtesy to everyone.Focus on one thing at a time.Observes the rule of the majority.Ensures the rights of the minority.

Parliamentary ProcedureOfficial Rule Book is Roberts Rules of Order.Written by U.S. Army general Henry Martyn Robert.

Parliamentary Procedure TermsWhat is a quorum? of the members in a club plus 1.Minimum number of members that must be present at a meeting for legal business to be transacted.What is a majority? of members present at any meeting plus 1.Minimum number of members that must vote for a motion for it to pass.

Parliamentary Procedure BasicsPresiding Officer referred to as:Mr./Madam PresidentMr./Madam ChairpersonEveryone gets a chance to voice their opinion or debate.Everyone gets the chance to voteMust be a yes or no vote.

Parliamentary Procedure BasicsThere are four methods of voting.VoiceStandingRoll CallSecret BallotCan the chairman vote?YES, in order to force a tie or to break one if they are a member of the group.

Parliamentary Procedure BasicsOnly one topic at a time can be discussed.The person who makes a motion has the right to discuss it first.

Parliamentary Procedure BasicsThe GavelA symbol of power and authority.Used by the presiding officer to give instructions to the members.The number of taps have a specific meaning.

Taps of the GavelOne TapFollows the announcement of adjournment.Completion of a business item.Members to be seated.Two TapsCall the meeting to order.Three TapsAll members to stand.Series of TapsRestores order to a meeting.

Order the BusinessA meeting should have a set agenda.Purpose is of the Order of Business (Agenda) is to keep the meeting moving forward.The agenda forms the framework for the development of a good business meeting

Steps to the Order the BusinessCall to Order by the President & the opening ceremony by the FFA officers.Minutes of previous meeting read by the Secretary and approved by the body in accordance to organizational by-laws and parliamentary procedure.Treasurer reports on the financial standing of the club.

Steps to the Order the BusinessReport on Chapter program of Activities (by officers and committee chairmen).Old Business (Business leftover from the previous meeting) New Business (Presented by members in the form of motions)Adjournment & Closing Ceremony

Order of BusinessHow does one conduct the meeting as it is laid out in the order of business (Agenda)?Order of Business (Agenda) handled by using various motions and rules governing them which are part of parliamentary law.

Types of MotionsMain MotionsSubsidiary MotionsPrivileged MotionsIncidental MotionsMotions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly

Main Motions

Main MotionsPurpose:Used to introduce new ideas to the meeting.Must be stated in the form:I move that .I move to .Cannot be in a negative form.Requires a second.AmendableDebatableMajority Vote

Main MotionsMain Motions that are not legal:Break any local, state, or national law.One that brings up a previously failed motion.Items that are out of the power of the group.Negative motions.Political & religious support.

Main MotionsThe person who makes a motion cannot speak against it.Main motions can be reconsidered.Cannot interrupt another speaker.Proper Example:Mr. President, I move that the chapter hold a cookout for all FFA members.

Steps to Handling a Main MotionStandAsk to be recognized by the President.President recognizes you by name.Motion is correctly stated.Motion is seconded.Motion is repeated by President.Motion is discussed.President restates motion.Motion is voted upon.Results of vote announced by President.

Subsidiary Motions

Lay on the TablePurpose:To defer action on the motion until later in the meeting or until the next meeting.Requires a secondNot amendableNot debatableMajority VoteCannot interrupt another speakerProper Example: Mr. President, I move to lay this motion on the table.

Previous QuestionPurpose:To force an immediate vote on the motion.Requires a secondNot amendableNot debatable2/3 Majority VoteCannot interrupt another speakerProper Example:Mr. President, I move the previous question.Mr. President, I call for the previous question.

Limit or Extend DebatePurpose:To limit or lengthen the time allowed for discussion on a motion when it is clear that there will be an excessive amount of discussion or when the amount of time for the meeting is limited.Requires a secondAmendable Amount of time or number of speakers only2/3 Majority VoteCannot interrupt another speaker

Limit or Extend DebateMaker of the motion must specify:The amount of timeThe number of speakers that can debate the motion.Proper Examples:Mr. President, I move that we limit debate on this motion to 3 discussions for the motion and 3 discussions against the motion.Mr. President, I move to limit debate to a minimum of 5 minutes.

Postpone DefinitelyPurpose:Allow for the motion on the floor to be deferred to a different day, meeting, or until after a certain event.Requires a secondAmendableDebatableMajority VoteCannot interrupt another speakerProper Example:Mr. President, I move to postpone this motion until the December Regular Meeting.

Refer to CommitteePurpose:Used to send a pending question to a small group so that the question may be carefully investigated.Requires a secondAmendableDebatableMajority VoteCannot interrupt another speaker

Refer to CommitteeTwo ways to appoint a committee:Standing committeeOne of the 15 listed in the Program of ActivitiesSpecial committeeAppointed by the presidentNumber of members can be 3 or morePresident must specify when the committee should report back to the chapter.Usually the next chapter meeting.Committee can be given full power to act.

Refer to CommitteeProper Examples:Mr. President, I move that we refer this motion to the Leadership Committee.Mr. President, I move we refer this motion to a committee of three appointed by the chair.

AmendPurpose:Use to modify or change a main motion.Must be closely related to the original topic.Can be amended in 4 ways:Inserting in the middleAdding to the endStriking outStriking out and inserting

AmendRequires a secondAmendableDebatableMajority VoteCannot interrupt another speakerCan be reconsideredImproper amendments:Anything not germane or relatedFrivolous or absurdLeaves an incoherent wording

AmendProper Example:Motion on the floor: The chapter hold a cookout for all FFA members.Amendment:Mr. President, I move to amend the motion by inserting on March 1st in front of cookout. So the motion would read, I move that the chapter hold a cookout on March 1st for all FFA members.

Postpone IndefinitelyPurpose:To kill a main motion.Requires a secondNot amendableDebatableMajority VoteCannot interrupt another speakerCan be reconsidered only if passedProper Example:Mr. President, I move to postpone this motion indefinitely.

Privileged Motions

Fix Time to Which to AdjournPurpose:To set the time, and sometimes the place for another meeting to continue business of the session.Requires a secondAmendableNot debatableMajority VoteCannot interrupt another speakerProper Example:Mr. President, I move to postpone the pending resolution to the adjourned meeting set for next month

AdjournPurpose:To end the meeting.Needs a secondNot amendableNot debatableMajority VoteCannot interrupt another speakerProper Example:Mr. President, I move to adjourn.

RecessPurpose:This allows for a short break in the meeting.Needs a secondAmendableDebatableMajority VoteCannot interrupt another speakerMust specify the length of time in the motionProper Example:Mr. President, I move to take a 5 minute recess.

Raise a Question of PrivilegePurpose:Allows for people in the group to ask for changes in the temperature, for ideas to be clarified, for motions to be explained, for others to repeat their discussion or motions, and anything that may help the meeting run smoothly.Does not need a secondNot amendableNot debatableNo vote, Presidents decisionCan interrupt another speaker

Raise a Question of PrivilegeProper Example:Mr. President, I rise to a question of privilege.President says, State your questionThen the member says whatever they have to and the president decides on whether it will be allowed or not.

Call for the Orders of the DayPurpose:Forces the group to return to the set agenda, without finishing the current business.Does not require a secondNot amendableNot debatable2/3 Majority Vote Against to FailCan interrupt another speaker

Call for the Orders of the DayCan only be made on motions that are not on the set agenda for that meeting.Proper Example:Mr. President, I call for the orders of the day.The president should say, orders of the day has been called. All those who wish to return to the orders of the day, raise your hand. All those opposed to returning to the orders of the day, same sign.

Incidental Motions

AppealPurpose:To reverse the decision of the chair, after they have made an error.Requires a secondNot amendableDebatableOnly motion where the President can discussMajority VoteCan interrupt another speaker

AppealMost of the time you should support the decision of your president.Proper Example:Mr. President, I appeal the decision of the chair.President should say, Appeal the decision of the chair has been called, all those who wish to uphold the decision of the chair say yea, all opposed nay.

Division of the AssemblyPurpose:Forces an immediate revote by hand.Does not require a secondNot amendableNot debatableNo vote neededCan interrupt a speakerProper Example:Can be made by saying division loud enough for the entire group to hear.Or by standing and saying I call for a division of the assembly

Division of a QuestionPurpose:Allows a motion that has been made to be spilt into two different motions.Can only be made on motions that have two main ideas that are not dependent on each other.Does not require a secondNot debatableNot amendableNo vote requiredCannot interrupt another speaker

Division of a QuestionProper Example:Motion on the floor:I move that the chapter have a cookout on March 1st for all FFA members and to have a basketball tournament.Mr. President, I move that we divide this question into two motions. The first stating we have a cookout on March 1st and the second that we have a basketball tournament.

Objection to the Consideration of a QuestionPurpose:Used when a member thinks that the activity or action of the group is not appropriate.Does not require a secondNot amendableNot debatable2/3 Majority VoteCan interrupt another speaker

Objection to the Consideration of a QuestionProper Example:Mr. President, I object to the consideration of the question.President should say, Objection to the consideration has been called. All those who wish to consider the motion raise your hand. All those who object to the consideration raise your hand.

Parliamentary InquiryPurpose:To obtain information on a matter of parliamentary law .Does not require a secondNot amendableNot debatableNo vote requiredCan interrupt another speakerProper Example:Mr. President, I rise to a parliamentary inquiry.President says, The member will state the inquiryThen the member state the question.

Point of OrderPurpose:Used when a member thinks that the rules of the group or the rules of parliamentary procedure are being violated.Does not require a second.Not amendableNot debatablePresident decides on verdictCan interrupt another speakerProper Example:Mr. President, I rise to a point of orderPresident says, State your pointAfter member state point, president says your point is well taken or Your point is not well taken.

Suspend the RulesPurpose:Allows the chapter to break the rules of parliamentary procedure, or the current constitution for a short period of time.Requires a secondNot amendableNot debatable 2/3 Majority VoteCannot interrupt another speakerProper Example:Mr. President, because of the lack of time tonight, I move to suspend the rules and move directly to new business.

Withdraw a MotionPurpose:Allows for the maker of a motion to completely take it off the floor for discussion.No second requiredNot amendableNot debatableIf made before the president first states the motion, it is automatically withdrawn with no second or vote.

Withdraw a MotionIf made after the president first states the motion, the following steps must be taken:President must ask if anyone objects to the maker withdrawing the motionIf someone objects.Must be seconded and passes with majority vote.If no one objects.The motion is automatically withdrawn.Cannot be made after discussion had begun.Proper Example:Mr. President, I would like to withdraw my motion.

Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly

ReconsiderPurpose:To reevaluate a decision made earlier.Requires a secondNot amendableDebatableMajority VoteCannot interrupt another speakerIf passed, the motion to be reconsidered is handled as if it were never voted on.Can only be made by a person who voted on the winning side.

ReconsiderIf passed, the motion is handled immediately if:Only a main motion with amendments is on the floor.Handled after the current business if:Discussion on refer to committee or postponement has been started.

ReconsiderMotions that can be reconsidered:Main MotionsAmendmentsRefer to CommitteePostpone DefinitelyPrevious QuestionExtend/Limit DebateAppealFix Time to Adjourn

ReconsiderMotions that can be reconsidered if the passed:Postpone IndefinitelyMotions that can be reconsidered if the failed:Object to Consideration of QuestionRescindProper Example:Mr. President, I move to reconsider the motion to have a cookout on March 1st for all FFA members.

RescindPurpose:To repeal a previous action.Requires a secondAmendableDebatable2/3 Majority Vote without prior warningCannot interrupt another speakerProper Example:Mr. President, I move to rescind the motion adopted at the January meeting have a cookout on March 1st for all FFA members.

Take from the TablePurpose:To take a motion that is on the table off of the table.Requires as second.Not amendableNot debatableMajority VoteCannot interrupt another speakerProper Example:Mr. President, I move to take the motion that the chapter have a cookout for the members off the table.

Designed By:Johnny M. Jessup, FFA AdvisorHobbton High School