1. Parliamentary Procedure
By Tony Watkins

2. Objectives Students will learn the principals of P.P.
Students will be able to name ten parliamentary procedures and demonstrate their use
Students will be able to conduct a mock chapter meeting.

3. Purpose of Parliamentary Procedure
What is parliamentary procedure?
Rules that govern a meeting.
Started 1562 in England
Sir Thomas Smyth considered the founder
Official Rule Book
Roberts Rules of Order
General Rules
Everyone gets the chance to voice their opinion (right to debate)
Majority rules and everyone has the right to vote
Only one topic at a time can be discussed
Protect rights of minority

4. General Terms Quorum Majority 1/2 of members in a club plus 1
Minimum number of members that must be present at a meeting for legal business to be transacted
Majority
1/2 of members present at any meeting plus 1
minimum number of members that must vote for a motion for it to pass

5. Presiding Officer Floor
referred to as: Mr./Madam President ,Mr./Madam Chairperson
The person who is in charge of the meeting
Floor
The group in attendance at the meeting
When a person has the “Floor” they are the only ones who has the right to speak.

6. Additional information
Methods of voting
Voice – aye, yes, no
Show of hands-Standing
Secret Ballot
Roll call
Taps of the gavel
One – be seated or the end of an item of business
Two – come to order
Three – stand
Several – return to order

7. How to make a motion Steps to making a Motion Stand
Ask to be recognized by President
President recognizes you by name
Motion is correctly stated
Motion is seconded
Motion is repeated by President
Motion is discussed
President restates motion
Motion is voted on
Results of vote announced by President
There are a few exceptions to this rule (go over later)

8. General Rules for Motions
Motions that are not Legal
Break any Local, State or National Laws or break the group constitution or by-laws
Any motion that brings up a motion that has already been failed
Items that are outside the power of the group
Negative motions
The person who makes a motion can not talk against it
Main motions can be reconsidered
Can not interrupt another speaker
Proper Example: Mr. President, I move that the chapter participate in crops judging this year

9. Make a chart with the headings:
Motion –small column
Purpose – wide column
Debatable -narrow
Amendable- narrow
Second -narrow
Vote - narrow

10. Types of Motions Main Motion Used to introduce ideas to the group
Must be stated in the form
I Move that
I Move to
Can not be in negative form
Only one main motion at a time
Requires a second
Amendable
Can Be Changed
Debatable
Can be talked about
Majority Vote
Can be voice
Last motion in priority (last to be voted on)

11. Types of Motions Cont’d
Amendments
Purpose
Used to modify a main motion
Must be closely related to the original topic
Can be amended in 4 ways
Inserting
Adding to
Striking Out
Striking out and inserting
Requires a second
Amendable
Debatable
Majority Vote

12. An amendment can be amended by an amendment of the second rank.
Example:
Motion on floor: That the FFA Chapter buy a boat.
Amendment: Mr. President, I move to amend the motion by inserting speed in front of boat. So the motion would read, I move that the FFA Chapter buy a speed boat
An amendment can be amended by an amendment of the second rank.
Madam President, I move to amend the amendment by inserting Ranger in front of speed. So the final motion with if all amendments pass would read, I move that the FFA chapter buy a Ranger speed boat.
No more than two amendments are allowed on the floor at one time. Once one of the two amendments has been voted on another second ranked amendment may be brought up.

13. Refer to Committee Purpose Requires a Second Amendable Debatable
used to send a pending question to a small group so that the question may be carefully investigated
Requires a Second
Amendable
Debatable
Majority Vote
2 ways to appoint a committee
Standing Committee
one of the 15 listed in the Program of Activities
Special Committee
Appointed by the president
Number of members can be 3 or more

14. Committee can be given full power to act Proper example:
President must specify when the committee should report back to the chapter
Usually next regular meeting
Committee can be given full power to act
Proper example:
Mr. President, I move that we refer this motion to the Leadership Committee
Mr. President, I move we refer this motion to a committee of three appointed by the chair

15. Previous Question Purpose Requires a second Not amendable
To force an immediate end to discussion and Vote on the motion
Requires a second
Not amendable
Not Debatable
2/3 Vote (because this motion requires an end to debate and the infringement on member rights it requires a greater majority)
Can not interrupt another speaker
Proper example:
Madam President, I move the previous question
Mr. President, I call for the previous question

16. To lay on the table Purpose Requires a second Not amendable
To defer action on the motion until later in the meeting or until the next meeting
Requires a second
Not amendable
Not debatable
Majority Vote
Can not interrupt another speaker
Proper example:
Mr. President, I move to lay this motion on the table

17. Reconsider Proper Example Purpose Requires a second Not amendable
to reevaluate a decision that was made earlier
Requires a second
Not amendable
Debatable
Majority vote
Can not interrupt another speaker
If passed, the motion to be reconsidered is handled just as if the motion was never voted on
Only can be made by a person who voted on the winning side
Proper Example
Mr. President, I move to reconsider the motion to buy a boat.

18. Rescind Purpose Requires a Second Debatable Amendable
To REPEAL PREVIOUS ACTION
Requires a Second
Debatable
Amendable
2/3 majority vote
Can not interrupt another speaker
Proper Example
Madam President, I move that we reconsider the vote to buy a boat.

19. Division of the house Purpose Does not require a second Not amendable
When called, this forces a immediate revote more accurate means
Does not require a second
Not amendable
Not debatable
No vote needed
Can interrupt another speaker
Proper form
Can be made by saying “division” loud enough for the entire group to hear
Or by standing and saying “I call for a division of the house”

20. Point of Order Purpose Does not require a second Not amendable
Used when a member thinks that the rules of the group or the rules of parliamentary procedure are being violated.
Does not require a second
Not amendable
Not debatable
President decides on verdict
Can interrupt another speaker
Proper example
Mr President, I rise to a point of order.
President says, “State your point”
After member states point, president says “your point is well taken” or “Your point is not well taken”

21. Object to the Consideration
Purpose
Used when a member thinks that the activity or action of the group is not appropriate.
Does not require a second
Not amendable
Not debatable
2/3 vote
Can interrupt another speaker
Proper form
Mr President, I object to the consideration of this question.
President should say “Objection to the consideration has been called. All those who wish to consider the motion raise your right hand. All those who object to the consideration of this question same sign.

22. Adjourn Purpose Needs a second Not Amendable Not Debatable
To end the Meeting
Needs a second
Not Amendable
Not Debatable
Majority Vote
Can not interrupt another speaker
Proper example
Mr. president, I move to adjourn.