Parliamentary Procedure Parliamentary Procedure A set of rules

Parliamentary Procedure

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

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

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

Motions n Motion- proposal for action made by a member n n 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 n n 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 Limit/ extend debate- calls for time limit; requires 2/3 majority Amend- change wording of motion; requires simple majority

Motions (cont. ) n Privileged motions- concern running of meeting itself n n Incidental motions- relate to questions of procedure n n n Adjourn- calls for meeting to close; 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 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 Renewal motions- get discussion reopened on decisions already made n n n Reconsider- discussion of motion already passed; requires simple 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

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

Voting Previous question- oral vote “Aye, ” “No, ” or “Abstain” n Abstain = member does not wish to support or oppose motion being voted upon n 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 n