Parliamentary Procedure

What is Parliamentary Procedure?

It’s a set of rules used to conduct meetingsIt allows everyone to be heard and to make decisions without confusionRespects the rights of the minority and carries out the will of the majority

Why study Parliamentary Procedure and Debate?

Time-tested method of conducting businessMany people in ag. Serve on or speak before boards and commissionsFFA meetings use parli pro

Prepare students for job interviewsLearn to think logically and see both sides of issues Compete in a sectional contest

Where did Parliamentary Procedure come from?

Originated in the English ParliamentCame to America with first settlersHenry M. Robert published first manual on Parliamentary law in 1876Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised is a basic handbook for most groups

How does Parli Pro work in a meeting?

Meeting usually require a “quorum”Meetings begin with an agendaMembers must be “recognized” by chairmanMain motions introduce the subject to be discussedMotions need “seconds”Everyone speaks that wants too.

How is a Main Motion presented?

Member must be recognized by the chairman

• Main Motions:• Contain the proposal only, no debate• Are introduced with the words “I move”• Are discussed one at a time• Require a second• Do not contain the word “should”• Entitle their maker to first debate• Cannot be negative• Are debatable require a majority vote to

pass

Voting on a Motion

The method of voting will depend on the situation.

By VoiceChairperson asks those in favor of the motion to say “aye” and those opposed to say “nay”

By Show of HandsMembers raise their hands as an alternative to a voice vote. Does not have to be counted

Voting on a Motion

By Roll CallEach person’s name is read and each

member says “yes” or “no”

By BallotEach person writes their vote on a piece of

paper. This method insures secrecy and the President can vote when this method is used

Voting on a motion

By General Consent

When a motion does not appear to have any opposition, the chairperson says, “If there is no objection, pauses, then the motion passes.” If someone says “I object” then the motion is put to a vote.

The Parli Pro Graphic Chart

What is it?How do I use it?

Postpone Indefinitely“I move to postpone this motion indefinitely”Maker of the PIND must be recognized by the chairmanPassing the PIND kills the main motion and avoids a direct vote on the main motion.Requires a second, is debatable, is not amendable and needs a majority vote to passMay debate the Main Motion even though the PIND is on the floorRanks above the main motion only (see parli pro graphic chart

Amendments

Used to modify or change a motionThere are four ways to amend a motion:This main motion has been introduced at the chapter meeting. “I move our chapter conduct an over night trip to Disneyland.”

Striking Out• “I move to amend the main motion by striking

out the word overnight.”

Striking Out and Inserting• “I move to amend the main motion by striking

out Disneyland and inserting Magic Mountain.”

Inserting“I move to amend the main motion by inserting

between the words chapter and conduct, during Spring Break.”

Adding“I move to amend the main motion by adding to

the end, and the chapter pay for the motel.”

AmendmentsMaker of amendment must be recognized by the chairmanRequires a second, is amendable and needs a majority vote to passMust be germane to the motionOnly one amendment to the motion is considered at a timeDebate is limited to desirability of amendment onlyRank above main motion and postpone indefinitely

Refer to a Committee“I move to refer this mater to a committee of five appointed by the chair to report back at our next meeting.”Used to send a pending question to a small group or committee for careful investigationMaker of the referral must be recognized by the chairmanRequires a second, is amendable and needs a majority vote to passRanks above Main Motion, PIND, and AmendmentDebate is restricted to the reasons for making the refer to a committeeUsually, referrals should state the method of selection and number on the committee

Postpone Definitely

Used to defer action on a motion to a definite day, meeting, hour, or until a certain event“I move to postpone this matter until the next regular meeting”Requires a second, is amendable and needs a majority vote to passDebate is restricted to why you are postponing this question, not on the merits of the main motionPostponing and making it a special order, requires a two-thirds vote

Lay on the Table

Lay on the Table enables the assembly to lay the main motion aside temporarily when something more urgent has arisen.“I move to lay all pending matters on the table.”In most cases, it must be recognized by the chairmanRanks above the main motion, postpone indefinitely, amendment, refer to committee, postpone definitely, and previous question“I move to take this matter from the table.” This motion brings the matter back as if it never left.

Previous Question

Used to end debate on pending motion(s) by taking a vote“I move previous question on all pending matters.”Requires a second and two-thirds vote and is not debatable or amendable. *Must be recognized by the chairman

Point of Information

Pinf is a request directed to the chairman, or through the chairman for information relevant to the business at hand but not related to Parliamentary Procedure.“I rise to a Point of Information!”Do not have to be recognized by the chairmanNo vote, second, or debate

Point of Parliamentary Inquiry

Point of Parliamentary Inquiry is a question directed to the chair or through the chair to get information on a matter of parliamentary law“I rise to a point of parliamentary inquiry”Do not have to be recognized by the chairmanCan be introduced at any timeNo vote, second, or debate

Point of Order

Point of Order is called when a parliamentary procedure mistake has been made“Point of Order, Mr./Madam Chairman!”Do not have to be recognized by the chairmanCan be introduced at any timeNo vote, second or debate

Motion to Adjourn

Motion used to close the meeting“I move to adjourn the meeting”Cannot interrupt the speaker but can be introduced at any time.Usually, ranks over all motionsRequires a second and majority voteCannot amend or debate the motion to adjourn