Post on 03-Jan-2016
Parliamentary procedure
Robert’s Rules of order
Robert’s Rules
has been used
for years as a
way to ensure
that meetings
are run
smoothly.
Why use parliamentary pro?
• The power and authority of the club is vested in its members
• All members have equal rights, obligations and privileges
• The majority rules• The minority must be protected• Procedural rules must be
understood
WHY?
Handling a motion
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Use the
diagram to the
left to help you
better
understand
handling
motions.
Order of business
1. The chair asks, “Is there any further business?”
2. Member 1, rising from his seat, says “Mr. Chairman.”
3. “Member 1,” states the chairman.4. Member 1 says, “I move that the
organization…”5. Another member, remaining
seated, says, “I second the motion.”
6. The chairman states the motion a first time.
7. The chair asks, “Is there any discussion? Are you ready for the question?”
8. Member 1 provides facts to support the motion.
9. A member secures the floor and speaks in favor of the motion.
10. A member secures the floor and speaks against the motion.
11. The chair asks, “Are you ready for the question? Are you ready to vote now?”
12. The chairman states the motion a second time.
13. The chair says, “Those in favor of the motion say, ‘Aye.’”
14. The chair says, “Those opposed say, ‘No.’”
15. The chair rules that the ayes have it and the motion is adopted.
16. The secretary is instructed to write the necessary letter.
Order of business
No main motion is in order that:
• Conflicts with the rules of the organization.
• Presents substantially the same question as a motion previously defeated in the same session.
• Would conflict with a motion that has been temporarily but not finally disposed of and which remains within the control of the assembly.
• Proposes action outside the scope of the organization’s object as defined in the bylaws.
Main motions that are NOT in order
8 characteristics of motions1. What is its order of precedence?2. To what motions is it applicable?3. May it interrupt the speaker?4. Does it require a second?5. Is it debatable?6. Is it amendable?7. What vote is required
for passage?8. Can it be reconsidered?
Order of precedence
Privileged motions
• Issues requiring immediate attention but not related to the main motion.Ranking motions
from highest to lowest*Need
2nd
Can interrupt speaker
Can be amended
Vote required
Privileged motions
Fix time to adjourn Yes No Yes Majority
Adjourn Yes No No Majority
Recess Yes No Yes Majority
Raise a question of privilege No Yes No Chair rules
Call for the orders of the day No Yes No Chair rules
Subsidiary motions
Ranking motionsfrom highest to lowest*
Need 2nd Can interrupt speaker
Can be amended
Vote required
Subsidiary motions (affect main motions)
Lay on the table Yes No No Majority
The previous question Yes No No 2/3
Limit or extend debate Yes No Yes 2/3
Postpone to a definite time Yes No Yes Majority
Refer to committee Yes No Yes Majority
Amend the amendment Yes No Yes Majority
Amendment Yes No Yes Majority
Postpone indefinitely Yes No No Majority
•Issues that affect either the nature or discussion of the main motion.
The right language1. Let a smaller group research the question.
Refer to committee2. I want to ask a question of the current speaker.
Point of information3. We need to set this business aside so that we can hear
from the President right now.Lay on the table
4. What vote is needed to pass this motion?Parliamentary inquiry
5. We need more time to talk about this.Extend time to
debate6. I want to talk informally with others to see where they
are on this issue before the vote.Move to recess
7. The chair called on the wrong member.Raise a point of order
8. I want to change the motion.Move to amend
9. We decided that last motion in too much of a hurry.Reconsider the
question2. Let’s wait until the expert arrives next week.
Postpone to a certain time
Main motions• The last motion voted upon. The
“business” of your club meeting.Ranking motions
from highest to lowest*Need 2nd?
Can interrupt speaker
Can be amended
Vote required
Main or principal motionYes No Yes Majority
Motions occurring after action to main or principal motion
Take from the table Yes No No Majority
Rescind or amend Yes No Yes **
Discharge committee Yes No Yes Majority
Reconsider Yes No No ¥
Ratify Yes No Yes Majority
** R
eq
uir
es
2/3
vote
wit
hou
t n
oti
ce a
nd
m
ajo
rity
vote
wit
h n
oti
ce.
¥ M
ay o
nly
be b
rou
gh
t to
floor
by m
em
ber
of
the
pre
vaili
ng
sid
e f
or
main
moti
on
.
The right language11. I doubt the ruling of the chair.
Appeal the decision of the chair12. Those of us in the back of the room cannot hear
the speaker. Raise a question of privilege
13. Let’s stop talking and vote.Move the previous question
14. I don’t agree with the chair’s announcement of the vote.
Division of the assembly15. Don’t we have to make legal the action the
executive board took last summer?Ratify
16. I want to consider this item out of the proper order.
Suspend the rules 17. We don’t have enough members to legally meet,
let’s decide when the meeting will continue.Fix a time to which to adjourn
18. Let’s decide the two purchases in this motion separately.
Division of the question19. Let’s generate a list of amounts from which to
choose the best one for this motion.Creating a blank
• Aren’t we supposed to hold elections at this time?Call for the orders of the day
Majority rules
• Lay on the table (Subsidiary)
• Postpone to a definite time (Subsidiary)
• Refer to committee (Subsidiary)
• Amend the amendment (Subsidiary)
• Amendment (Subsidiary)• Postpone indefinitely
(Subsidiary)• Main motion (Main)
All require a second and a majority vote.
“Live to Serve, Love to Serve.”
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