PARLIAMENTARY PIZZA
Chip Harris
Licensed
Parliamentarian
Tennessee State
University
Nashville, TN
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
1
What is a meeting?


A time when
people come
together to
make decisions
Let’s give some
examples….
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
2
What is a meeting?



How many
meetings do you
attend each day?
Informal
meetings take
place all the time.
A formal meeting
is what we will
discuss today.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
3
Parliamentary Procedure

A set of rules that
governs meetings.
Three basic rules




One thing at a time
Majority Rules
Minority Rights
Guaranteed
Always follow
Common courtesy
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
4
Meeting Agenda
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Call to Order
Reading and approval of Minutes
Reports of Officers, Boards, Standing
Committees
Reports of Special Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
Adjournment
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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How to make a Decision?
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Argue?
Fight?
Stalemate?
Main Motion!
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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First, be recognized

You have to get “the
floor” which is the
right to speak.



Stand and say,
Mr./Madame Chair
OR Raise your hand
OR Just stand and
raise your hand.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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First, be recognized


The Chair/President
will “give you the
floor” by saying,
“the Chair
recognizes……
Now you have the
right to speak
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Main Motion
1. Introduced
2. Seconded
3. Presented to Assembly by the Chair
4. Discussion/Debate
5. Put to vote
6. Announcement
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Main Motion
1. Introduce
• I move that…
• State your idea specifically and simply
2. Second
• Someone who agrees the ideas should be
discussed
• Does not have to favor the idea
• Does not need to be recognized
• Second!
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Main Motion
1. Introduced
2. Seconded
3. Presented to Assembly by Chair
•
•
It has been moved and seconded that…
Are you ready for the question?
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Main Motion
1. Introduced
2. Seconded
3. Presented
4. Discussion

Rules and
Hints
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Debate Rules

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One speaker at a time
May speak twice on an issue
May not speak a second time until everyone
has had the chance to speak the first time
Speak to the Chair
Speak about the issue, not the person
Maker of motion has first right to speak
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Debate Hints
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Express position
Give reasons why
Purpose to convince the undecided
Ask for support
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Main Motion
1. Introduce
2. Second
3. Present
4. Discussion/Debate
5. Put to vote
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Main Motion
5. Put to vote
• If there is no further discussion, we will
vote on the motion that…. (repeat
motion)
• As many as are in favor, say aye….
•
•
As many as are opposed, say no…
•
•
Allow time for response
Allow time for response
Alternate methods of voting
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Main Motion
6. Announcement
 The ayes are
in the majority
and the
motion carries
 The noes have
it and the
motion is lost
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Example Main Motion
Be recognized by the Chair
• Mr/Madame Chair, I move that we
have pizza for lunch.
• I second the motion. OR Second!
• It has been moved and seconded that
we have pizza for lunch. Are you
ready for the question?
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Example Main Motion
4. Debate

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
I speak in favor of the motion because….
I speak in opposition to the motion
because…
Alternate positions if known
Listen to debate, it might change your
mind
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Main Motion
5. Put to vote


If there is no further discussion, we will
proceed to vote on the motion that we
have pizza for lunch.
As many as are in favor, say aye.


Allow time to vote and determine result
As many as are opposed, say no

Allow time to vote and determine result
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Voting
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The Chair determines the method of
voting and announces it as part of step
5.
Most votes are voice votes (aye, no) or
show of hands.
A 2/3 vote requires voting by standing.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Main Motion
6. Announcement

The ayes are in the majority and the motion
to/that….is adopted/carried. We will…


The noes are in the majority and the motion
to/that….is lost.
Now you can move on to something else.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Main Motion
1. Introduced
2. Seconded
3. Presented to Assembly by the Chair
4. Discussion/Debate
5. Put to vote
6. Announcement
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Main Motion
1. Introduced
2. Seconded
3. Presented to Assembly by the Chair
4. Discussion/Debate
5. Put to vote
6. Announcement
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
25
Example Main Motion
Be recognized by the Chair
• Mr/Madame Chair, I move that we
have pizza for lunch.
• I second the motion. OR Second!
• It has been moved and seconded that
we have pizza for lunch. Are you
ready for the question?
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Example Main Motion
4. Debate




I speak in favor of the motion because….
I speak in opposition to the motion
because…
Alternate positions if known
Listen to debate, it might change your
mind.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Main Motion
5. Put to vote


If there is no further discussion, we will
proceed to vote on the motion that we
have pizza for lunch.
As many as are in favor, say aye.


Allow time to vote and determine result
As many as are opposed, say no

Allow time to vote and determine result
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Main Motion
6. Announcement

The ayes are in the majority and the motion
to/that….is adopted/carried. We will…


The noes are in the majority and the motion
to/that….is lost.
Now you can move on to something else.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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What happens if…..
You decide the
idea is good,
but could be
better with
some changes?
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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You can change it….
A change is called an
“Amendment”
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee
State University
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Amendment
Amendments can be made by
 Addition – adding something
 Subtraction – deleting something
 Substitution - replacing something with
something else
• Use the same 6 steps….
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Amendment
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Take priority over the main motion
Must deal with amendment first
Occur during the debate of a motion
Follow same 6 steps as a main motion
Requires a majority vote
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Amendment


If your amendment is adopted, you
have changed the original motion and
the debate then goes to the new or
amended motion.
If your amendment is defeated, you
return to debate on the original main
motion.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Primary Amendment
Flow Chart
Main Motion
1. Introduce
2. Second
1.
3. Present to Assembly
2.
4. Debate
3.
5. Put to vote
4. Debate
6. Announcement
5.
I move
to
amend
the
motion
by…
+, -, S
6.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Amendment Example
1. I move that we have pizza for lunch.
2. Second!
3. It has been moved and seconded that
we have pizza for lunch. Are you
ready for the question?
4. Debate….
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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4. Debate
1. Mr./Madame Chair, I move to amend
the motion by adding the word
pepperoni before the word pizza.
2. Second.
3. It has been moved and seconded to
amend the motion by inserting the
word pepperoni before the word pizza.
Are you ready for the question?
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
37
4. Debate
4. Debate: I speak in favor of the
motion because… OR… I speak
against the motion because….
5. Is there any further discussion?
Seeing none, we will vote on the
amendment to the motion to insert
the word pepperoni in front of the
word pizza. …
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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4. Debate (amendment passes)
As many as are in favor of the amendment,
please say “aye”. (Pause) Those opposed,
please say “no”.
6. The “ayes” have it and the amendment is
adopted. Therefore, discussion is on the
main motion as amended that we have
pepperoni pizza for lunch. Are you ready
for the question?
5.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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4. Debate (amendment fails)
As many as are in favor of the amendment,
please say “aye”. (Pause) Those opposed,
please say “no”.
6. The “noes” have it and the amendment is
lost. Therefore, discussion is on the main
motion that we have pizza for lunch. Are
you ready for the question?
5.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Amendment Example
4. The question before the assembly is
that we buy pepperoni pizza for lunch.
Are you ready for the question?
(Debate amended motion)
5. Seeing no further discussion, we will
vote on the motion that we buy
pepperoni pizza for lunch.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Amendment Example
5. As many as are in favor of the motion
please say “aye”. (Pause) Those
opposed, please say “no”.
6. The “ayes” are in the majority and the
motion as amended is adopted. We
will buy pepperoni pizza for lunch.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Primary Amendment
Flow Chart
Main Motion
1. Introduce
2. Second
1.
3. Present to Assembly
2.
4. Debate
3.
5. Put to vote
4. Debate
6. Announcement
5.
I move
to
amend
the
motion
by…
+, -, S
6.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Amendments


You can amend your amendment if you
feel the need. It works just like the
main motion and primary amendment.
The amendment to the amendment is
correctly known as the secondary
amendment.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Secondary Amendment
Flow Chart
1. Introduce
Main Motion
1.
2.
3.
1. Introduce
2. Second
2. Second
3. Present
3. Present to
Assembly
4. Debate
4. Debate
6. Announcement
5. Put
5.
4. Debate
6.
5.
6.
Announcement
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Secondary Amendment
Amendment to the Amendment
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I move that we have pizza for lunch.
Second
It has been moved….have pizza for
lunch. Are you ready for the Question?
Debate
I move to amend the motion by adding
the word “pepperoni” before the word
pizza.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Secondary Amendment
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Second
It has been moved and seconded to
amend the motion by adding the word
“pepperoni” before the word pizza. Are
you ready for the question?
I move to amend the amendment by
adding the words and extra cheese
after pepperoni.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Secondary Amendment
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Second
It has been moved and seconded to
amend the amendment by adding the
words “and extra cheese” after
pepperoni. If adopted the amended
amendment will read to add the words
“pepperoni and extra cheese” before
pizza. Are you ready for the question?
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Secondary Amendment
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
Debate
Seeing no further discussion, we will
now vote on the amendment to the
amendment to add the words “and
extra cheese” after pepperoni. As many
as are in favor, say aye. Those
opposed say no.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Secondary Amendment
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
The ayes are in the majority and the
amendment passes.
Discussion is now on the amended
amendment that we add the words
“pepperoni and extra cheese” before
pizza. Are you ready for the question?
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
51
Secondary Amendment to
Primary
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Seeing no further discussion, we will vote on
the amended amendment to add the words
“pepperoni and extra cheese” before the
word pizza. As many as are in favor…..
The ayes are in the majority and the
amendment passes.
Discussion is now on the main motion as
amended that we have pepperoni and extra
cheese pizza for lunch. Are you ready for the
question?
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
52
Secondary Amendment to
Main


Seeing no further discussion, we will now
vote on the main motion as amended that we
have pepperoni and extra cheese pizza for
lunch. As many as are in favor…..
The ayes are in the majority and the main
motion as amended passes. We will have
pepperoni and extra cheese pizza for lunch.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
53
Secondary Amendment
Flow Chart
1. Introduce
Main Motion
1.
2.
3.
1. Introduce
2. Second
2. Second
3. Present
3. Present to
Assembly
4. Debate
4. Debate
6. Announcement
5. Put
5.
4. Debate
6.
5.
6.
Announcement
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
54
Subsidiary Motions
Assist in the disposing of a main motion
 Postpone Indefinitely
 Amend
 Refer to committee
 Postpone to a Certain Time
 Limit Debate
 Previous Question
 Lay on the Table
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Subsidiary Motion: Postpone
Indefinitely
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To kill or reject a main motion without
running the risk of having a direct vote upon
it
Must be seconded
Is debatable
Is not amendable
Requires a majority vote
I move to postpone the motion indefinitely…
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Subsidiary Motion:
Amendment
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To change a pending motion before it is
adopted or rejected
Must be seconded
Is debatable
Is amendable
Requires a majority vote
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Subsidiary Motion: Commit or
Refer
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To send the motion to a committee for
further work
Must be seconded
May be debated
May be amended
Requires a majority vote
I move to refer the pending motion to a
committee…
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Subsidiary Motion: Postpone
to a Certain Time
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
Used to gain information to protect the
rights of absent members or to gain
time in which to garner support for the
proposed motion.
Motion must indicate the postponed
time, i.e. the next meeting
I move to postpone the pending motion
until the next regular meeting…..
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Subsidiary Motion: Postpone
to a Certain Time
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Must be seconded
May be debated (but only to the
postpone issue, not the merits of the
motion)
May be amended
Requires a majority vote
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
60
Subsidiary Motion: Limit
Debate


The means an assembly has to exercise
special control over debate on a
pending question or series of pending
questions
I move to limit debate to one speech
per person….
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Subsidiary Motion: Limit
Debate
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Must be seconded
Is not debatable if referring to the
pending motion
Is amendable
Requires a 2/3 vote
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Subsidiary Motion: Previous
Question


Immediately ends debate and the
making of subsidiary motions (except
Lay on the Table). You vote on the
motion immediately upon the ordering
of the previous question.
I move the previous question.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
63
Subsidiary Motion: Previous
Question




Must be seconded
Is not debatable
Is not amendable
Requires a 2/3 vote
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
64
Subsidiary Motion: Lay on the
Table
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This sets aside a pending motion so as to
permit doing something else immediately.
Often misused
Is not meant to kill a motion.
I move to lay the question on the table.
Must be seconded, not debatable, is not
amendable and requires a majority vote.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
65
Incidental Motions
Rise out of another pending motion or
item of business
 Point of Order
 Appeal
 Division of the Question
 Division of the Assembly
 Parliamentary Inquiry
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
66
Incidental: Point of Order



Rise to a Point of Order if you feel a
rule has been violated, thereby calling
on the Chair for a Ruling and
enforcement of the rule.
I rise to a Point of Order!
May interrupt a speaker, does not
require a second, is not amendable,
debatable or voted upon.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
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Incidental: Appeal



An appeal is used when a member
believes the Chair made an incorrect
ruling and wants to reverse it.
I appeal from the decision of the Chair.
May interrupt a speaker, must be
seconded, is not debatable or
amendable. A majority vote in the
negative reverses the Chair’s ruling.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
68
Incidental: Division of the
Question



When a motion has multiple parts that could
each stand alone, the assembly may choose
to consider each part individually.
Must be seconded, is not debatable, is
amendable and requires a majority vote.
I move to divide the question into 2 parts
consisting of.. or I move to divide the
question so as to consider the “part”
separately.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
69
Incidental: Division of the
Assembly




When a member doubts the result of a voice
vote or a show of hands vote, he/she can call
for a Division of the Assembly.
Does not require a second, is not debatable
or amendable, does not require a vote.
The Chair would immediately take another
vote by standing.
Division! OR I call for a Division.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
70
Incidental: Parliamentary
Inquiry



Any member may make a Parliamentary
Inquiry relative to a parliamentary issue
to organization rule.
Does not require a second, is not
debated or amended and there is no
vote taken.
The Chair is responsible to respond to
the inquiry.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
71
Incidental: Point of
Information




A Point of Information is directed to the Chair
for information relevant to the business at
hand.
The Chair may direct the question to another
member.
Motion may interrupt a speaker, does not
require a second, is not debatable or
amendable, is not voted upon.
I rise to a Point of Information.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
72
Privileged Motions
Do not relate to the pending business but
do have to do with special matters of
importance
 Call for the Orders of the Day
 Question of Privilege
 Recess
 Adjourn
 Fix the time to which to adjourn
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
73
Privileged: Call for the Orders
of the Day





The demand to take up the proper business
in order.
Is always in order and my interrupt a speaker
Does not require a second, is not debatable
or amendable.
Must be accepted unless a 2/3 vote in the
negative
I call for the Orders of the Day….
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
74
Privileged: Question of
Privilege




Allows for a request relating to the rights and
privileges of the assembly or any of its
members.
Does not require a second, is not amendable
or debatable and is immediately ruled upon
by the Chair.
If possible, the request is normally granted.
I rise to a Question of Privilege.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
75
Privileged: Recess




A short intermission.
Must be seconded, is not debatable, but
is amendable as to the length of the
recess. Requires a majority vote.
I move that we recess for 30 minutes.
I move that we recess until 3:00 this
afternoon.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
76
Privileged: Adjourn




Closes the meeting.
A motion to adjourn is privileged only when
made when other business is pending or
other specific circumstances found in RONR.
Otherwise, it is a main motion.
As a privileged motion it must be seconded, is
not debatable or amendable and requires a
majority vote.
I move to adjourn.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
77
Privileged: Fix the Time to
Which to Adjourn



The motion actually sets the time and date of
the next meeting, NOT setting the time to
adjourn the current meeting
Must be seconded, is not debatable, is
amendable as to the date, hour and place,
but amendments are not debatable, requires
a majority vote.
I move that when we adjourn, we adjourn
until 3:00 next Wednesday.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
78
Motions that bring a question
again before the assembly




Remove from the Table
Rescind
Amend something previously adopted
Reconsider
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
79
Bring Again: Remove from
the Table




Can be applied to any issue that was
previously laid on the table.
Once a motion is laid on the table, other
business must be handled, before it can be
removed from the table.
Must be seconded, is not amendable or
debatable and requires a majority vote.
I move to remove from the table the motion
regarding….
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
80
Bring Again: Rescind



This motion cancels a motion previously
adopted.
Must be seconded, is debatable and
amendable and under most
circumstances requires a majority vote.
I move to rescind the motion relating
to…
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
81
Bring Again: Amend
Something Previously Adopted



This motion offers an amendment to a
motion that was adopted previously.
Must be seconded, is debatable and
amendable and under most
circumstances requires a majority vote.
I move to amend the previously
adopted motion to……by…….
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
82
Bring Again: Reconsider



Enables a majority in an assembly, within a
limited time period and without notice, to
bring back for further consideration a motion
that has already been voted on.
The purpose is to correct hastily-made or illadvised decisions.
It may ONLY be introduced by a member who
voted on the prevailing side.
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
83
For Further Information
contact:
Chip Harris, Ed. D.
Licensed Parliamentarian
Center for Career & Technical Education
Tennessee State University
charris@tnstate.edu
615-963-7344
©2002 Chip Harris, Tennessee State University
84