1. Basics of Parliamentary Procedure

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Methods of Voting Voice Vote - Yea or Ney Rising Vote Secret Ballot
Raise of Hands
Standing to be counted
Secret Ballot
Roll Call

7. 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.

8. Order of Business Standing Special 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

9. 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.

10. Nominations Nominations may be made by: Nominations may be closed 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.”

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. Adjourn
End of a meeting
“I move to adjourn”

21. Recess
Call an intermission
“I move we recess until….”

22. Lay on the Table Suspend further consideration of an issue
“I move we table the motion….”

23. 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

24. 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.

25. Limit Debate Gives a time limit or topic limit of debate
“I move the debate be limited to….”

26. Refer to Committee
Used to send a pending motion to a small group for further study
Requires a second
Amendable
Debatable
Majority Vote

27. 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

28. Amendments (continued)
Members may do the following with the motion and amendment:
Accept both the amendment and original motion
Reject the amendment and accept original motion
Reject both amendment and original motion

29. Postpone Indefinitely
Kills the main motion
“I move to postpone indefinitely”

30. 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.

31. Parliamentary Inquiry
Obtain advise on parliamentary procedure
“I raise a parliamentary inquiry”

32. Point of Information Requests information from the maker of a motion
Must be in the form of a question
“Point of information…”

33. 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.

34. Suspend the Rules Temporarily stop a specific rule
“I move to suspend the rules so that….”

35. Motion to Reconsider
Purpose: to secure another vote by allowing further consideration of a question(item of business)
2nd required
Debatable
Majority vote

36. Quiz (7 Points)
Name the motion one would make to stop debate and proceed to a vote
Name the motion one would make to ask advise on parliamentary procedure
Name the motion one would make to kill a main motion
If an organization has 50 members, how many would have to be present for a quorum?
If I voted against a motion that ended up passing, can I move to reconsider the vote?
A Point of Information must be in the form of a _______________.
Name of the motion one would give for a short intermission.

37. Parli-Pro In Everyday Life