Parliamentary Procedure: Lesson II

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Parliamentary Procedure Lesson II

• Development of Meeting Skills

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Parliamentary Procedure

• Obtaining the Floor
• Stand, address the Chair, receive recognition
• Introducing Business (Making a Motion)
• Stand, I move that, statement must receive a
  2nd, sets motion before debate, prepare for vote

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Rules of Debate

• Every member has a right to speak on every
  debatable motion
• All discussion pertains to the question at hand
• While debate is in progress, amendments can be
  introduced
• Debate cannot last longer than 10 minutes unless
  assembly votes otherwise

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Rules of Debate

• No member can speak twice on the same motion
• No member can attack or question the motives of
  another member
• The maker of the motion, although allowed to vote
  against the motion, is not allowed to speak
  against it
• The presenter of the motion may be the first
  person to debate

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Amendments

• After the chair has restated a motion, the only
  way to change the motion would be by an
  amendment.
• Amendments are made by adding, deleting, or
  changing.
• Only two amendments may be pending on a main
  motion at any time (primary or secondary or
  First or Second Degree)

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Amendments

• Amendments are made in the same way as for any
  main motion. The secondary amendment may be made
  to the primary amendment.
• Amendments must be germane to the question under
  consideration.

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Voting

• A majority decides, unless special rules apply,
• Voice vote, unless otherwise provided for
• If the presiding officer is a member of the
  assembly, he or she can vote as any other member
  does when the vote is by ballot.
• Any member may request a division of the assembly
  if there is uncertainty as to the true result of
  the vote

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Types of Votes

• Voice
• rising vote or showing hands
• call vote
• ballot vote
• general consent
• plurality vs. majority vote
• null and void
• division of assembly