The A-B-C’s of Parliamentary Procedure

Allen Nasworthy

Question: “In a meeting, what does the word

MOTION mean”?

A MOTION is anything in a meeting that a person can

take a stand on or take action on.

What is Parliamentary Procedure

It’s a set of rules used for conducting a meeting.Around since 1562

It allows EVERYONE to be heard and to make decisions.

Today……. Robert’s Rules of Order is the basic handbook of operation .

Why is Parliamentary Procedure Important?

Parliamentary Procedure means:• Democratic Rule• Flexibility • Protection of Rights• A Fair Hearing for Everyone

……..it can be adapted to fit the needs of any organization.

It’s important that everyone know some BASIC RULES.

Proper Use of a Gavel

Number of Taps Meaning

1a) Follows the announcement of adjournment,b) completion of business,c) or a message to members to be seated

2 a) Calls the meeting to order

3 a) All members stand

Series of rapidTaps

a) Restore order

Follow a Set Agenda!!

Do you follow an Agenda??

Sample Agenda:

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call

III. Minutes

IV. Officers’ Reports

V. Committee Reports

VI. Special Orders

VII. Unfinished Business

VIII.New Business

IX. Announcements

X. Adjournment

How do members get their say?

THEY MAKE MOTIONS!

A motion is a proposal that the assembly take a stand on or take action on.

Members can:Present motionsSecond motionsDebate motionsVote on motions

What is the purpose of the CHAIR(meeting leader?

1. Maintain order in the meeting2. Make sure the meeting runs smoothly

(this includes following the agenda)3. Make sure Parliamentary Procedure rules are followed at all times

What is the purpose of the secretary?

1. Maintain accurate records during the meeting.2. Secretary keeps records of all votes, all motions, all

seconds, all amendments, and any other relevant information.

All motions start with…….

Every motion starts with…….. “I move……”

What might a MAIN motion look like?

I move that our 4-H Club provide a $100.00 scholarship to the most outstanding 4-Her, this award should be given each year during the annual 4-H club banquet.

I move that our 4-H Club do one Community Service Project a Year.

Every motion starts with…….. “I move……”

Parliamentary Procedure…….at a glance

To do this: You say this: Interruptspeaker?

Second? Debatable? Amendable? Vote? Reconsidered?

Adjourn“I move that we adjourn”

No Yes No No Maj No

Recess“Call an intermission”

“I move that we recess for…..”

No Yes No Yes Maj No

Question of Privilege “Complain about heat, noise, etc.”

“I rise to a question of privilege”

Yes No No No No No

Suspend Consideration “Temporarily suspendconsideration of an issue”

“I move to table the motion”

No Yes No No Maj No

Parliamentary Procedure…….at a glance

To do this: You say this: Interruptspeaker?

Second? Debatable? Amendable? Vote? Reconsidered?

End debate“I move the previous question”

No Yes No No 2/3 No

Postpone“I move to postpone the discussion until…..”

No Yes Yes Yes Maj Yes

Refer“Give closer study of something”

“I move to refer the matter to committee”

No Yes Yes Yes Maj Yes

Amend “I move to amend the motion by.......”

No Yes Yes Yes Maj Yes

Introduce Business

I move that…….” No Yes Yes Yes Maj Yes

Parliamentary Procedure…….at a glance

To do this: You say this: Interruptspeaker?

Second? Debatable? Amendable? Vote? Reconsidered?

Point of Order “Protest rules/conduct”

“I rise to a point of order”

Yes No No No No No

Appeal “Vote on a ruling of the chair”

“I appeal from the chair’s decision”

Yes Yes Yes No Maj Yes

Suspend Rules“I move to suspend the rules so that…”

No Yes No No 2/3 No

Avoid Consideration

“I object to consideration of this motion”

Yes No No No 2/3 --

Verify a Voice Vote

“I call for a division” or “Division”

Yes No No No No No

Parliamentary Procedure…….at a glance

To do this: You say this: Interruptspeaker?

Second? Debatable? Amendable? Vote? Reconsidered?

Request Information

“Point of information”

Yes No No No No No

Take from the Table “Take up a matter previously tabled”

“I move to take from the table…”

No Yes No No Maj No

Reconsider “I move to reconsider the vote on…”

Yes Yes -- No Maj No

How Do I PRESENT a Motion?

1. Obtain the Floor2. Make your Motion

I move……………3. Wait for a Second

Any person present that is a “true” member of a group can Second a motion. 4. Chair states your Motion

Chair restates the motion on the floor: “There is a motion on the floor, (state the motion), is their a second”. After second, the chair states, “Any discussion”5. Expand on your Motion

The motion is open for debate, an amendment, or vote.6. Chair/Presiding Officer/President calls for a vote by saying: “Is their any further discussion, seeing none we will no proceed to vote”.

How Do I DEBATE a Motion?

To DEBATE any motion you MUST be recognized by the chair before debating and discussing the current motion on the floor.

During the debate/discussion you may:• Amend the motion• Postpone the discussion• End debate(this goes straight to a vote), “I move to previous question”• Complain about heat, notice, “I rise to a question of privilege” • Call for a recess, “I move that we recess for……”• Suspend the motion temporarily, “I move to table the motion”• Give closer study to motion, “I move to refer the matter to a committee…..”

How Do I AMEND a Motion?

MAIN MOTION:I move that our 4-H Club do one Community Service Project a Year.

EXAMPLE:During debate, a member would say, I move to amend the motion by (adding, substituting, or striking out) substituting one for two. So the motion would read:

I move that our 4-H Club sponsor two Community Service Projects a Year.

By:-Striking Out-Adding -Substitution

How Do I VOTE on a Motion?

By VoiceBy Show of HandsBy Roll Call By Secret BallotBy General Consent

A motion to TABLE

A motion to POSTPONE INDEFINITELY

QUESTIONS

Where can I use this and putting it all together!!!

MOTIONS

Main Motion: “I move that our 4-H Club Award a $100.00 scholarship for one student to attend 4-H Summer Camp”.

Lay on the Table

Amend

Recess

Previous Question

Adjourn

MOTIONSMain Motion: “I move that our 4-H Club host a petting zoo at the next county fair”.

Refer

Amend

Point of Order

Adjourn

Fix Time to Which to Adjourn

MOTIONS

Main Motion: “I move that our club prepare a farm safety booth at the next state fair.”

Previous Question

Limit Debate

Recess

Objection to the Consideration of a Question

Adjourn