Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure By Shaina Leach

Origins of Parli-Pro In the 16 th century disputes between the King of England and parliament developed In the 16 th century disputes between the King of England and parliament developed This led to the development of parliamentary law This led to the development of parliamentary law First formal publication was written between 1562 and 1566 by Sir Thomas Smyth. First formal publication was written between 1562 and 1566 by Sir Thomas Smyth. Today we have Robert’s Rules of Order Today we have Robert’s Rules of Order

Basic Rules One subject at a time One subject at a time Each side must be given the opportunity to voice their opinion Each side must be given the opportunity to voice their opinion Rights of the minority Rights of the minority Voting must include both a positive and a negative Voting must include both a positive and a negative Must have a quorum of members to conduct business Must have a quorum of members to conduct business

Types of Motions Main Motions Main Motions Subsidiary Motions Subsidiary Motions Privileged Motions Privileged Motions Incidental Motions Incidental Motions Motions that bring a question back before the assembly Motions that bring a question back before the assembly

Table of Precedence Motions take precedence according to their rank Motions take precedence according to their rank Precedence is a motion having a greater importance over another motion Precedence is a motion having a greater importance over another motion

Handling Main Motions Member presents a motion- “I move that…” Member presents a motion- “I move that…” Motion must be seconded by another member Motion must be seconded by another member The chairman makes the motion pending by restating the question The chairman makes the motion pending by restating the question Motion is debatable Motion is debatable Motion must pass or fail voting Motion must pass or fail voting

Subsidiary Motions Assist the assembly with the main motion Assist the assembly with the main motion Types Types –Postpone Indefinitely –Amend –Commit or Refer –Postpone Definitely –Limit or Extend Limits of Debate –Previous Question –Lay on the Table

Amendments 4 Ways: 4 Ways: –By striking out –By inserting –By adding to –By striking out and inserting

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

Postpone Definitely Causes the pending question to be postponed to a specific day, time, meeting, etc. Causes the pending question to be postponed to a specific day, time, meeting, etc. Requires a second Requires a second Amendable Amendable Debatable Debatable Majority Vote Majority Vote

Previous Question Motion used to bring the assembly to an immediate vote on one or more pending questions Motion used to bring the assembly to an immediate vote on one or more pending questions Requires a second Requires a second Not Debatable or Amendable Not Debatable or Amendable 2/3 Vote 2/3 Vote

Privileged Motions Entitled to immediate consideration over all other motions Entitled to immediate consideration over all other motions Types Types –Call for the Orders of the Day –Raise a Question of Privilege –Recess –Adjourn –Fix Time to Which to Adjourn

Incidental Motions Motions that arise incidentally out of the business of the assembly Motions that arise incidentally out of the business of the assembly Must be acted upon before other motions except privileged motions Must be acted upon before other motions except privileged motions Suspend the Rules Withdraw a Motion Objection to the Consideration of the Question Point of Order Parliamentary Inquiry Appeal Division of the Assembly Division of the Question

Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly Also called Unclassified Motions Also called Unclassified Motions Call up motions for further deliberation Call up motions for further deliberation Types Types –Reconsider –Rescind –Take From the Table

Parli-Pro In Everyday Life

Sources hive_04_01.html hive_04_01.html hive_04_01.html hive_04_01.html dreams.com/Misc.php/pictures/state- capital-1.html dreams.com/Misc.php/pictures/state- capital-1.html