Parliamentary Procedure

Parliamentary Procedure: A set of rules used to conduct a meeting in an orderly manner A set of rules used to conduct a meeting in an orderly manner 3 major functions: 3 major functions: 1. Ensure meetings run smoothly 1. Ensure meetings run smoothly 2. Help group focus on issues most important to entire group 2. Help group focus on issues most important to entire group 3. Ensure that meetings are run according to democratic principles 3. Ensure that meetings are run according to democratic principles

Parliamentary Procedure: 5 basic principles: 5 basic principles: 1. One question at a time- handle one issue before considering another; maintain order 1. One question at a time- handle one issue before considering another; maintain order 2. Majority rule- simple majority = at least one more than ½ of people who voted 2. Majority rule- simple majority = at least one more than ½ of people who voted 3. Protection of minority rights- minority = less than ½ of group agrees; hear all viewpoints 3. Protection of minority rights- minority = less than ½ of group agrees; hear all viewpoints 4. Equality of rights and responsibilities- precedence 4. Equality of rights and responsibilities- precedence 5. Free debate- discussion where pro & con speeches alternate 5. Free debate- discussion where pro & con speeches alternate

Parliamentary Procedure Quorum = minimum number of members that must be present for the group to conduct business Quorum = minimum number of members that must be present for the group to conduct business Chair/ Presiding Officer- names for person running the meeting Chair/ Presiding Officer- names for person running the meeting Duties: Duties: Maintain control- members follow parli. procedure Maintain control- members follow parli. procedure Maintain order- prevent filibustering = making long speeches to waste time to prevent vote on issue Maintain order- prevent filibustering = making long speeches to waste time to prevent vote on issue Act impartially- don’t take sides Act impartially- don’t take sides Recognize speakers impartially- precedence Recognize speakers impartially- precedence

Motions Motion- proposal for action made by a member Motion- proposal for action made by a member Main motions- set forth new items of business to be considered; require a second before they can be debated and a simple majority vote Main motions- set forth new items of business to be considered; require a second before they can be debated and a simple majority vote Subsidiary motions- allow members to change or dispose of a main motion being discussed; proposed after main motion to which they apply; must be debated and voted on before group can return to main motion Subsidiary motions- allow members to change or dispose of a main motion being discussed; proposed after main motion to which they apply; must be debated and voted on before group can return to main motion Lay on the table- temporary postponement of action; requires simple majority Lay on the table- temporary postponement of action; requires simple majority Previous question- immediate vote to stop discussion on a motion; requires 2/3 majority Previous question- immediate vote to stop discussion on a motion; requires 2/3 majority Limit/ extend debate- calls for time limit; requires 2/3 majority Limit/ extend debate- calls for time limit; requires 2/3 majority Amend- change wording of motion; requires simple majority Amend- change wording of motion; requires simple majority

Motions (cont.) Privileged motions- concern running of meeting itself Privileged motions- concern running of meeting itself Adjourn- calls for meeting to close; requires simple majority Adjourn- calls for meeting to close; requires simple majority Recess- calls for a break; requires simple majority Recess- calls for a break; requires simple majority Question of privilege- calls for immediate action on such things as lighting, heating, disturbances, etc.; no vote required- only approval of chair Question of privilege- calls for immediate action on such things as lighting, heating, disturbances, etc.; no vote required- only approval of chair Incidental motions- relate to questions of procedure Incidental motions- relate to questions of procedure Point of order- request info. about something in order or to point out a violation of parli. procedure; no vote required Point of order- request info. about something in order or to point out a violation of parli. procedure; no vote required Suspend the rules- allows members to do something not normally allowed by the rules; requires 2/3 majority Suspend the rules- allows members to do something not normally allowed by the rules; requires 2/3 majority Renewal motions- get discussion reopened on decisions already made Renewal motions- get discussion reopened on decisions already made Reconsider- discussion of motion already passed; requires simple majority Reconsider- discussion of motion already passed; requires simple majority Rescind- cancellation of action taken on previous motion; requires 2/3 majority Rescind- cancellation of action taken on previous motion; requires 2/3 majority Take from the table- reopen discussion of a motion that had earlier been laid on the table; requires simple majority Take from the table- reopen discussion of a motion that had earlier been laid on the table; requires simple majority

Amending a Motion Amendment must be specific; insert, add, strike out, strike out and insert, substitute Amendment must be specific; insert, add, strike out, strike out and insert, substitute Amendment must be germane to a motion; germane = must relate to issue of original motion Amendment must be germane to a motion; germane = must relate to issue of original motion Amendment cannot be made by inserting word not into the main motion Amendment cannot be made by inserting word not into the main motion

Voting Previous question- oral vote “Aye,” “No,” or “Abstain” Previous question- oral vote “Aye,” “No,” or “Abstain” Abstain = member does not wish to support or oppose motion being voted upon Abstain = member does not wish to support or oppose motion being voted upon When vote is too close to call, group can call for a division of assembly- requires chair to call for a 2 nd vote done in a different method from one used in 1 st vote When vote is too close to call, group can call for a division of assembly- requires chair to call for a 2 nd vote done in a different method from one used in 1 st vote