Parliamentary Procedure
Have you ever experienced…
o Meetings that seem endless because the
business could have been completed hours
ago?
o Confusion as to what exactly is being discussed
and voted on?
o Irritation because one person or a small group
of people dominate a meeting?
o The feeling that you never get your voice heard
in group discussion?
Reasons for Using Parliamentary
Procedure…
Focus on one thing at a time.
No more than one issue will be discussed
Extend courtesy to everyone.
All members have an opportunity to participate
Observe the rule of the majority.
No group decision is granted without majority
Ensure the rights of the minority.
All members have equal access to decisionmaking
What is Parliamentary
Procedure
A predetermined set
of “rules” that will
be used to “govern”
the way business
will be conducted.
Robert’s Rules of
Order
A book of parliamentary
law
A system of
procedures that
allows an
organization to
effectively conduct
its official business
in a fair and
democratic manner
What is a Quorum?
A Quorum is when
2/3rds or more of
active membership
is present and the
organization can
conduct business.
What is a Majority?
Simple Majority1/2 of the voters present, plus one voter
(A little more than 50% of the voters)
Two-Thirds VoteTwo-thirds of the voters present
(A little more than 66% of voters)
What is a Minority?
A minority is the remaining group of voters
present.
The Five Methods of Voting…
1. Voice Vote
•
Yes votes say “Aye”… No votes say “No”
2. Show of Hands
•
Each member will raise their hand for either
a yes vote or a no vote when the chair calls
for it.
3. Rising Vote
•
Stand Up for your vote- Yes or No
Used in taking a 2/3 vote and when retaking a
voice vote when someone has called Division of
the House.
Voting Methods Continued…
4. Secret Ballot
In taking a vote by ballot, everyone gets to
vote, including the presiding officer (unless
the organization has a rule that states
differently). Each vote is recorded on a
piece of paper and placed inside of a ballot
box.
5. Roll Call
Each member is called upon individually and
their vote taken and recorded.
The Unspoken Language of
The Gavel…
One TapFollows
completion of an
item or business
or announcement
of adjournment
Signals members
to be seated
The Unspoken Language of
The Gavel…
Two TapsCalls a meeting to
order!
The Unspoken Language of
The Gavel…
Three TapsSignals members to
stand.
Series of TapsRestores Order
What is a motion?
Presents a new idea or item of
business.
Only 1 at a time
A motion is: debatable, amendable,
requires a second, and majority
vote.
Steps in Making a Motion
1. Raise your hand or address the presiding
officer.
2. Chair recognizes you and says you can
speak stand up and say:
•
Madam (or Mr.) President, I move to… or I
move that…
3. Sit down after you make the motion
4. The motion will need a second (another
member of the organization who agrees with
the motion that was made.)
Making a Motion Continued…
5. The President will repeat the motion and place it
before the assembly by stating:
•
It is moved and seconded that…. Is there any
discussion?
6. Members discuss the motion by raising your
hand, being recognized by the chair and given
the floor.
7. The presiding officer takes a vote by stating:
•
All those in favor say “Aye”. Those opposed say “no”
And then….
Final How-To Slide…
8. The President will announce the vote and
whether the motion is adopted or defeated.
9. If the motion is approved they will
say…
•
The ayes have it, and the motion is carried.
We will … (President will usually assign the
task to a committee at this time.
10.If the motion fails they will say…
• The noes have it, and the motion is lost.
Commonly Used Motions
1. Main Motions-
2. Amendments• By Addition, Substitution or Striking Out
3. Previous Question
4. Division of House
5. Refer to committee6. Point of order7. Suspend the Rules8. Adjourn-
Amendment
“I move to amend by…”
A motion can be changed or modified.
Three ways to present an amendment:
By addition
2. By substitution
3. By striking out
1.
• Requires a second
Previous Question
“I move the previous question”
Meaning: to stop discussion
Debate: None
Amend: No
Vote: Yes, 2/3
Second: NO
Division of the House
“Division”
Meaning: to get a counted vote
Debate: No
Amend: No
Vote: No
Second: No
Refer to a Committee
“I move to refer this motion to a
committee to report at our next
meeting.”
Meaning: Places the motion in a
committee
Debate: Yes
Amend: Yes
Vote: Yes, Majority
Second: Yes
Point of Order
“I rise to a point of order”
Meaning: Used to correct a
parliamentary procedure mistake.
Debate: No
Amend: No
Vote: No
Second: No
Adjourn
“I move to adjourn.”
Meaning: to close the meeting
Debate: No
Amend: No
Vote: Yes, Majority
Second: Yes.
The End…
Lets work together to Fill in our
Table of Motions Worksheet!
(We will go through each answer as a class)
Now Lets Make Trail Mix!
“I move…”
Discuss
Vote “Aye or No”
Is anyone allergic to
nuts?
Each ingredient will be
added to the bowl as
motions are properly
made.
Honey nut cheerios, raisins,
peanuts, m&m’s, pretzels,
gummy worms, and yogurt.
Once completed we can
enjoy a snack!
 Motions to Complete
 Main Motion
 Amend
 Refer to a Committee
 Previous Question
 Adjourn
*use your Parli Pro Worksheet