Basics of Parliamentary Procedure
Origins of Parli-Pro
In the 16th century disputes between the King of England and parliament developed
This led to the development of parliamentary law First formal publication was written between 1562
and 1566 by Sir Thomas Smyth. Today we have Robert’s Rules of Order
Basic Rules
One subject at a time Each side must be given the opportunity to
voice their opinion Rights of the minority Voting must include both a positive and a
negative Must have a quorum of members to conduct
business
Other Important Info
Quorum- What is it? Minimum number of members that must be
present at a meeting for legal business to be transacted
1/2 of members in a club plus 1 Majority- What makes a majority?
1/2 of members present at any meeting plus 1 Presiding Officer referred to as:
Mr./Madam President Mr./Madam Chairperson
Use of the Gavel
One Tap – To sit down and follows the announcement of a vote
Two Taps - Calls meeting to order Three taps – means to stand Series to taps – used to restore order
Methods of Voting
Voice Vote - Yea or Ney Rising Vote
Raise of Hands Standing to be counted
Secret Ballot Roll Call
Agendas
Agendas are an established order of business that should be followed at every chapter meeting.
The chapter secretary is responsible for preparing an agenda for meetings.
Order of Business
Opening ceremonies Minutes of previous meeting
read or presented in writing Officer reports Special features (guest
speakers) Unfinished business Committee reports
Standing Special
New Business Degree & Installation
ceremonies ( only one time per year)
Closing ceremonies Recreation, refreshments,
entertainment, etc
Committees
Two most frequently used committees are: 1. Standing committees – committees found
in the Program of Activities 2. Special Committees – those appointed by
the President or contained in a motion presented by a member.
Nominations
Nominations may be made by: committee From the floor by a member
Nominations may be closed by : A two-thirds vote-requires a second and not
debatable. General consent
Five steps in making Nominations
Member rises, receives recognition from President and says, “Mr. President, I nominate….” No second required
President announces name of member nominated and asks for other nominations
Secretary keeps list of nominees
When nominations are complete, President calls for a vote
Results of election announced.
Elections
Candidates are voted on in the order they were nominated
It is not enough to receive the most votes, an individual must receive a majority of all votes cast. If three candidates are running for an office and not one
receive a majority of the votes, the one that received the least amount of votes would be dropped and a runoff would exist between the remaining two.
Role of the President or Chairman
To Preside over the meeting. Avoids expressing opinion of pending question A President/chairman does not vote unless to:
Break a tie (tie votes automatically fail unless the President wants to break the tie by voting.
Create a tie, making a motion fail Can vote during a secret ballot
Qualities of a Good Chair
Have self confidence Have knowledge of
Parliamentary Procedure
Always be democratic Gave a well developed
voice
Be able to think quickly Have a good memory Be skillful in leading
people Have neat appearance
What if a President wishes to voice an opinion during a meeting?
He can announce,”Will the Vice-President assume the duties of the chair?”
When business is concluded that the President wanted to conduct, the V-P at first opportunity should say, “Will the President please resume the duties of the chair.”
Qualities of Good members
Knowledge of your organization
Display orderly conduct Participation in the
meetings Ability to think quickly
Know parli pro Attend meetings Leave out personalities
to conduct business Be able to accept group
decisions Cooperate as a team
member
Handling Main Motions
Member addresses the Chair (Mr/Madam chairman/chairperson
Member is recognized Member presents a motion“I move that…” Motion must be seconded by another member (**
Motion dies without a second) The chairman makes the motion pending by
restating the question Motion is debatable Chairman takes vote on the motion Chairman announces results of vote
Withdrawing a Motion
A motion can be withdrawn if the member who seconded the motion consents to the withdrawal of the motion. The motion is cleared from the minutes as if it never
happened.
A motion can not be withdrawn after voting has started.
General Consent
The transaction of business is sometimes expedited by the President requesting approval by “general consent”.
Only works if there are not objections Avoids formality of motions, voting on routine
business and questions of little importance.
Adjourn
End of a meeting “I move to adjourn”
Recess
Call an intermission “I move we recess until….”
Lay on the Table
Suspend further consideration of an issue “I move we table the motion….”
Previous Question
Motion used to bring the assembly to an immediate vote on one or more pending questions
Requires a second Not Debatable or Amendable 2/3 Vote Terminates Discussion
Calling for Question
This is a method that allows members to know you are finished with discussion without going through the formality of a motion.
Procedure: You can simply say, “question”, without being recognized and without stopping discussion.
It informs the group of your position.
Limit Debate
Gives a time limit or topic limit of debate “I move the debate be limited to….”
Refer to Committee
Used to send a pending motion to a small group for further study
Requires a second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote
Amendments
5 Ways: By striking out By inserting By adding to By striking out and inserting By dividing motion into two or more
motions, so as to get a separate vote on any part
The purpose of an amendment is to change the intent or purpose of the original motion
Amendments (continued)
Members may do the following with the motion and amendment:
1) Accept both the amendment and original motion
2) Reject the amendment and accept original motion
3) Reject both amendment and original motion
Postpone Indefinitely
Kills the main motion “I move to postpone indefinitely”
Rise to a Point of Order
Seeks to avoid the breaking of any parliamentary rule and to insist on enforcement of rules
Member does not have to be recognized. The President listens to member and decides if point
is sustained or not sustained. If decision is unacceptable, member can appeal from
the decision of the chair.
Parliamentary Inquiry
Obtain advise on parliamentary procedure “I raise a parliamentary inquiry”
Point of Information
Requests information from the maker of a motion
Must be in the form of a question “Point of information…”
Division of the House
A member may call for a division of the house when he/she disagrees with the vote as announced by the President
Does not require a second Must be called for immediately after the voice
vote A rising vote is then required.
Suspend the Rules
Temporarily stop a specific rule “I move to suspend the rules so that….”
Motion to Reconsider
Purpose: to secure another vote by allowing further consideration of a question(item of business)
2nd required Debatable Majority vote
Quiz (7 Points)1. Name the motion one would make to stop debate and
proceed to a vote
2. Name the motion one would make to ask advise on parliamentary procedure
3. Name the motion one would make to kill a main motion
4. If an organization has 50 members, how many would have to be present for a quorum?
5. If I voted against a motion that ended up passing, can I move to reconsider the vote?
6. A Point of Information must be in the form of a _______________.
7. Name of the motion one would give for a short intermission.
Parli-Pro In Everyday Life