Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure

1
Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure

• May 2007
• Leadership Revision Committee

2
What is it?

• Parliamentary Procedure is
• The correct rules for conducting or running a
  successful meeting.

3
Purpose

• Ensures that
• - One item is addressed at a time
• - Courtesy is given to every member
• - The majority rules
• - The rights of the minority are protected

4
Use of the Gavel

• One tap
• Be seated
• Or
• Follows
• Announcement of adjournment
• Completion of a business item
• Two taps Calls the meeting to order
• Three taps Stand on the third tap
• Series of taps Restores order

5
The Chair

• The person in charge-conducts the meeting
• Presiding Officer referred to as
• Mr/Madam President or Mr/Madam Chairman
• Chairperson refers to self in the third person
• The chair rules
• The chair will entertain a motion.
• Never says I
• Alternates debate between opposing and supporting
  sides

6
Responsibilities of The Chair

• Speak up and speak clearly
• Be respectful
• Be impartial
• Do not say I
• Know correct parliamentary procedure

7
Responsibilities of the Members

• Discuss when called upon
• Respect other members and chair
• Speak up when discussing
• Know Parli. Pro.

8
Conducting Business

• Quorum
• 1/2 of members in a club plus 1
• Minimum number of members that must be present at
  a meeting for legal business to be transacted
• Types of Votes
• None
• Decided by chair
• Majority
• 1/2 of members present at any meeting plus 1
• Minimum number of members that must vote for a
  motion for it to pass
• Used to vote on most motions
• Two-Thirds
• A two thirds vote is required when a motion will
  limit the rights of a member or members
• This means that two thirds of the voters must be
  in favor of the motion for it to pass

9
Ways to Vote

• Voice Vote saying aye or no
• Standing Vote standing or a show of hands
• Secret Ballot a written vote
• Roll Call each member speaking their vote when
  the secretary calls their name

10
Basic Rights

• Everyone gets the chance to voice their opinion
• Everyone gets the chance to vote
• Must take yes and no votes
• Only one topic at a time can be discussed
• Whoever makes a motion has the right to discuss
  it first
• The Chairperson makes or breaks a tie

11
Classifications of Motions

• Main Motions bring business before the meeting
• Subsidiary Motions treats or disposes of a main
  motion always applied to another motion while it
  is pending
• Privileged Motions take precedence over all
  other motions dont have to relate to pending
  business
• Incidental Motions related to pending business
  or other business almost always must be decided
  before business can continue
• Unclassified Motions these are typically motions
  that bring a question again before the assembly

12
How to State a Motion

• A properly stated motion
• begins with I move that
• NOT, I make a motion to

13
Main Motions

• Used to introduce ideas to the group
• Can not be in negative form
• Only one main motion at a time
• Require a second
• Amendable
• Can Be Changed
• Debatable
• Can be talked about
• Majority Vote
• Can be voice
• The person who makes a motion can not talk
  against it, but can vote against it
• Can not interrupt another speaker

14
How to Handle a Main Motion

• Stand
• Ask to be recognized by President
• President recognizes you by name
• Motion is correctly stated
• Motion is seconded
• Motion is repeated by President
• Motion is discussed
• President restates motion
• Motion is voted on
• Results of vote announced by President