PO LANGUAGE

By Mike Bruk

Adapted from “Presiding for Dummies” by Jack Soltysik

Opening Session

When the session starts, say “I will be running an open chamber. Therefore, you

may exit the chamber as you please, but please be courteous of our fellow

representatives and wait outside the chamber if a speech is in session.”

“I will also be keeping speaking order (and/or standing order) “

“I will not be calling for any motions, so feel free to raise a motion to the floor in

between speeches.”

“My gaveling procedures are as follows: When you have 30 seconds left I will tap

once(tap), when you have 15 seconds left, I will tap twice(tap, tap), and when

your time has elapsed, I will pound 3 times(tap, tap, tap).”

“I will also give you a 5 second grace period, before which I will begin to gavel

you down. I ask that no one abuses this grace period, in an effort to get in as many

speeches as possible.”

“Are there any questions”

(Pound Gavel!) “I now call this session to order at(insert time)”

“The first order of business on the agenda is bill(# and title)”

“If there are no objections, I will wave the reading of this bill”

“Seeing none I now call on a 4 minute authorship speech, is there such a speech?”

“I now call on 3 minutes of questioning”

“Seeing no author present, I now call on a 3 minute sponsorship speech, is there

such a speech?”

Seeing as that was a 4/3 minute speech in affirmation, I now call on a 3 minute

speech in negation, is there such a speech?”

“I will now call on 2 minutes of questioning”

Motions

Motion to untable a bill

“To untable bill --- we must first table bill ---. (ask) Is there such a motion at this

time to table bill ---. (if there is a motion say) seeing a motion to table bill --- has

been made, is there a second. I now ask for all in favor of tabling bill --- to raise

their hands(if it is passed, go on to vote on removing bill --- from the table, if it is

failed, say “This motion has not been passed and thus the flow of debate will

continue”)

Motion to table a bill

Requires a second

Then requires a majority vote

Motion to previous questioning

Not needed if 60 minute time limit on a bill has elapsed

Requires a second

Requires a 2/3 vote to be passed

If it is passed follow voting procedures and write on the board the votes(in the

form of yays-nays-obstained)

Then write P for Pass of F for Fail next to the bill, and continue with the next bill

Waive the reading of this bill, authorships, etc…

Motion to recess

Requires a time amount when asked for(I call for a 5 minute recess)

If no time limit is specified, do not act on it.

This motion requires a second and then a simple majority

Make sure to keep recesses under 10 minutes

Motion to adjourn.

At the end of each session

Points

Point of Parliamentary procedure

Someone will try to prove you did something wrong

Point of Personal inquiry

Questions or confusion from one of the representatives

Questioning

Always call on the person with the least number of questions

For a two part question ask “will the speaker submit to a two part question”

If the speaker asks to restate a question, you ask the questioner “May you please

restate your question?”

Make sure there is not cross debating between speakers and questioners, and if

there is ask for none of it.

Things To Keep In Mind

If questions and or answers have become to long and have taken to

much time, say, “In an effort to get the greatest number of questions

in I ask for questions and answers to be brief”.

CONSTANTLY give updates on participation. Say, “I encourage

everyone to participate and for those who have not given a speech to

try and do so”

Or say “We currently have --% participation, so I ask any of you who

have not participated to do so”

If there is a one sided debate, say “The chair highly frowns upon one

sided debate but unless there are any motions at this time I will call

for another speech(whatever side people have stood up for)”.

Try to PO third session

Try to get the most number of speeches in as possible