PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER LEE TAPIA, DTM

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL AND PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE Article XIII Rules of Order: Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the final authority on parliamentary procedure insofar as Robert's Rules do not conflict with any provision of these Administrative Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Toastmasters International, policies and procedures set by the Board of Directors of Toastmasters International from time to time, or applicable law, provided that if the district is located in a jurisdiction where Robert’s Rules are not a recognized authority on parliamentary procedure, this district may use the recognized authority in the jurisdiction where this district is located in place of Robert’s Rules.

6 steps of a Motion 1. MAKING A MOTION 2. SECONDING A MOTION 3. THE CHAIR STATES THE MOTION 4. MEMBERS DEBATE THE MOTION 5. PUTTING THE MOTION TO A VOTE 6. COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT

LET’S MAKE A MOTION… MEMBER MAKES THE MOTION* ANOTHER MEMBER SECONDS THE MOTION** THE CHAIR STATES THE MOTION, PLACING IT BEFORE THE COMMITTEE THE MEMBERS DEBATE THE MOTION *MUST BE A VOTING MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT COUNCIL **MUST BE A VOTING MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT COUNCIL

QUORUM Make sure you know what a quorum is for your meeting: Executive committee—majority of members District council meetings--one-third of the club presidents and vice presidents of the district, or their proxies, must be present. Club—majority of the active membership

NO QUORUM!! If any business is transacted at a meeting where a quorum is not present, the action taken is deemed valid, provided it is later expressly approved in writing by the affirmative vote.

HOW TO MAKE A MOTION SEEK RECOGNITION FROM THE CHAIR. BE PRECISE ONLY MAKE MOTIONS THAT YOU AGREE WITH MAKE POSITIVE MOTIONS* * PUT YOUR MOTION IN WRITING

SECONDING THE MOTION ANOTHER MEMBER MUST SECOND THE MOTION IF NO SECOND, PROCESS ENDS THE PURPOSE OF SECONDING IS TO MAKE SURE AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS WANT TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE

INTERESTING FACTS NO SECOND NEEDED: RAISE A QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE CALL FOR ORDERS OF THE DAY POINT OF ORDER

THE CHAIR STATES THE MOTION CHAIR STATES THE MOTION, FORMALLY PLACING IT BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY: CAN BE READ FROM WRITTEN NOTES ASK SECRETARY TO RESTATE THE MOTION ASK THE MEMBER WHO MADE THE MOTION TO RESTATE IT

OWNERSHIP OF THE MOTION UP UNTIL THE MOTION IS STATED BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY, BELONGS TO MAKER OF THE MOTION. WHY IS THE OWNERSHIP IMPORTANT?

WITHDRAWING A MOTION THE OWNER CAN ONLY WITHDRAW BEFORE THE CHAIR STATES. AFTER IT IS OWNED BY THE GROUP, THE MOTION CAN ONLY BE WITHDRAWN WITH PERMISSION FROM THE GROUP.

INTERESTING FACTS DO NOT ASK THE PARLIAMENTARIAN ABOUT A RULING! THE PARLIAMENTARIAN IS AN ADVISER AND THEREFORE MAKES NO FINAL DECISION. THE CHAIR OF THE MEETING RULES!

MEMBERS DEBATE THE MOTION MOTION IS PENDING NOW IS THE TIME TO FIX IT* DEBATE (Time factor) No member may speak more than two times on any one motion on any day—each speech is limited to 10 minutes. *ONE OF THE EASIEST PLACES TO AMEND THE MOTION

PUTTING THE MOTION TO A VOTE RESTATE THE MOTION DON’T FORGET THE NO VOTE THE DECLARATION IS UP TO THE CHAIR

COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT WHICH SIDE HAS THE VOTE? WHETHER THE MOTION PASSED OR FAILED EFFECT THE VOTE THE NEXT STEP

Let’s practice MOTION AMEND DEBATE VOTE ANNOUNCE