Basic Parliamentary Procedures

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Basic Parliamentary Procedures

• Remember You dont have to know everything
• You just have to know more than they do

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motion

• Maker moves motion
• Requires a second
• Allow maker to speak to motion
• Call for discussion
• Debate pro/con
• Moderator restates motion
• Take vote declare results

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amendment

• Requires a second
• Call for discussion (only on amendment)
• Debate
• Moderator restates amendment
• Maker moves amendment
• Take vote

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friendly amendments

• An amendment may be friendly in its intent BUT
  there is NO parliamentary process for friendly
  amendments
• The maker of the motion loses possession of the
  motion once the discussion process starts
• Can cause confusion and hard feelings
• Require regular process

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To Postpone

• Two forms
• Postpone indefinitely
• Postpone definitely
• Requires second
• Is amendable
• Is debatable
• Requires a majority vote
• Preferred over Tabling

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Lay on Table

• Requires second
• Not debatable
• Not amendable
• Majority vote
• Should be avoided and the motion to postpone used
  instead

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To Refer

• Example I move we refer the request for money
  to the budget committee
• Requires second
• Debatable (but only to question of referring and
  details of referral)
• Amendable
• Majority vote

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Modify Debate

• Example I move we limit debate speeches to 2
  minutes.
• Requires second
• Not debatable
• Can be amended
• Requires 2/3 vote

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Call the question?????

• Never in order when called out
• Requires second
• Not debatable
• Not amendable
• Requires 2/3 vote
• How to handle the Call the question person

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Call the question?????

• Never in order when called out
• Requires second
• Not debatable
• Not amendable
• Requires 2/3 vote
• How to handle the Call the question person

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Lay on Table

• Requires second
• Not debatable
• Not amendable
• Majority vote
• Should be avoided and the motion to postpone used
  instead

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Reconsider

•         Person makes motion to reconsider
•  Moderator attest that motion maker did not vote
  with the losing side
• A second is required
• debate is in order if the original motion was
  debatable and if so can go into the merits of
  the motion to be reconsidered

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Reconsider cont

• Time factors
• Must be same presbytery mtg
• Or the 2nd day of a two day mtg
• To reconsider an amendment you must bring back
  main motion
• If the motion is successful the Moderator can
  determine when the item will be discussed

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Rescind

• Requires second
• Debatable
• Amendable (as in amending something previously
  adopted)
• Vote
• 2/3 without notice
• Majority with notice (check by-laws)
• Majority with entire membership

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Appeal the ruling of the Moderator

• Motion is Shall the decision of the Moderator be
  sustained
• Requires second
• Is debatable if main motion is debatable
• Majority vote

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Voting Tips

• Voice votes tend to favor male voices
• Raising hands works better
• When in doubt divide the house
• Ask the clerk to count
• Announce vote
• Have some blank ballots on hand

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Aids to Crystallization of Opinionpage 524 RONR

• establish breakout groups.
• Each breakout group is usually kept small -
  frequently 10 or 12 persons - and a moderator is
  appointed for each group.
• Often, the groups meet during a recess or
  adjournment of the body

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Aids to Crystallization of Opinionpage 524 RONR

• the conclusions reached by the various breakout
  groups may be conveyed to a committee that
  assembles them and attempts to report a
  consolidated response to the body.
• OR the breakout groups may report through their
  moderators directly to the body after it has been
  reconvened.
• .

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Aids to Crystallization of Opinionpage 524 RONR

• These reports are in the nature of debate
• In the end, the pending measure must be returned
  to the body for final consideration under normal
  parliamentary procedure

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