Parliamentary Procedure
& Public Speaking
Public Speaking CDE’s in FFA
•Prepared Public Speaking:
o Memorized using a manuscript.
o Based on an agriculture topic.
•Extemporaneous Public Speaking:
o Given 30 minutes to prepare.
o Speech is delivered without using a manuscript or
from memorization.
 Very little preparation ahead of time.
Benefits of Good Communication
• One of the most important factors in determining
career success.
• Oral communications is always one of the top skills
demanded by employers.
o What career does not need good communication skills?
• It will help you voice your opinion in important
situations:
o Parent
o Citizen
o Customer
o Tax Payer
Benefits of Good
Communication
•It is the nature of humans to form groups:
o Relationships depend on communication skills.
•Learn the ability to:
o Persuade others.
o Change things for the better.
o Seek civil justice and human rights.
o Display democracy and the freedom of speech.
What is Parliamentary
Procedure???
•A systematic way of organizing meetings.
•Governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.
Parliamentary Procedure Extends
Courtesy to EVERYONE!!!
Properly Getting Recognition
•Members must be recognized to speak.
•Members ask the chair for recognition
•In order to be recognized:
oMembers must stand up.
oOnce standing they must say “Madame/Mr.
President”
Handling Motions
•There may only be one main motion on
the floor at one time.
•The main motion is made by saying, “I
move.”
Parliamentary Procedure
Observes the Rule of the Majority
•Only motions that have been seconded
can be discussed and take the time of
the group.
•Most motions require a majority vote to
pass.
oThe chapter takes action only after a
majority agrees it should be taken.
Parliamentary Procedure Ensures
the Rights of the Minority
•Even the minority has the right to voice
their opinion through discussion.
•Because of this right it takes a 2/3 vote to
stop discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure
Terms
•Majority: ½ of the members present plus 1.
•Minority: Less than ½ of the members
present.
•Quorum: 2/3 of the total membership; this
number must be present to conduct
business for the group.
•The chairperson uses the
gavel to control aspects of
the meeting.
•The number of taps
determines the meaning.
•One Tap:
Number of Taps
o Tells members to be seated.
o Used after passing or rejecting a main motion.
 Action on a motion was taken
o Used after the announcement that a meeting is
adjourned.
•Two Taps:
o Calls the meeting to order.
Number of Taps
•Three Taps:
o Signals members to rise during opening and
closing ceremonies.
•Series of Taps:
o Used to restore order in the group.
Order of Business = Agenda
•Keeps the meeting moving forward.
•Provides a framework for the meeting.
Step 1: Call to Order
•Performed by the president
•Opening ceremony is included in this part
of FFA meetings
Step 2: Reading of Minutes
•Reminds members of what happened during
•
•
the last meeting.
Read by secretary
Must be approved by the body
Step 3: Treasurer Report
•Reports the financial standing of the club.
Step 4: Chapter Report
•Officers and committee chairpersons
report on chapter Program of Activities.
Step 5: Old Business
•Business left over from the previous
meeting.
Step 6: New Business
•Presented by members in the form of
motions.
Step 7: Adjournment &
Closing Ceremony
•Ends the meeting.
•Can happen by:
oPassing a motion.
oHaving consensus of the body.
Presiding Officers
•Examples:
o Company Chairman
o Organization President
o Speaker of the House
o Chapter FFA President
•Must be fair and
•
impartial.
Must leave the chair
when they wish to
discuss business.
Voting
•Four Ways to Vote:
o Voice
o Standing
o Roll Call
o Secret Ballot
•The Chair can vote
ONLY to make or break a
tie.
Main Motion
•Used to get group approval for a new
project or some other course of
action.
•Wording:
o“I move…”
Steps to handling a Main Motion
1.Stand
2.Ask to be recognized by President
3.President recognizes you by name
4.Motion is correctly stated
5.Motion is seconded
6.Motion is repeated by President
7.Motion is discussed
8.President restates motion
9.Motion is voted on
10.Results of vote announced by President
Main Motion
•Requires second
•Debatable
•Amendable
•Majority vote required
•Can be reconsidered
Amend
•Used to change a main motion.
•3 ways to amend:
•
oAddition
oSubstitution
oStriking out
Wording:
o“I move to amend the motion…”
Amend
•Requires second
•Debatable
•Amendable
•Majority vote required
•Can be reconsidered
Division of the House
•To get a counted vote
•Not Debatable
•Not Amendable
•Member seeking division
will simply say “division”
Refer to Committee
•Used to gain more information on a
motion before voting.
•Must include:
oThe number people on the committee.
oWho appoints the committee.
oWhat power to act the
committee has
• When to report back
Refer to Committee
•Wording:
o“I move to refer this motion to a
committee of three appointed by the
president with full power to act.
They will
report
back at our next
meeting.”
Refer to a Committee
•Requires second
•Debatable
•Amendable
•Majority vote required
•Can be reconsidered
Point of Order
•Used when one believes a
parliamentary error has been made.
•Wording:
o“I rise to a point of order”
Point of Order
•Does not require second
•Not Debatable
•Not Amendable
•Cannot reconsidered
•No vote required
Previous Question
•Used to stop debate and vote.
•Wording:
o“I move the previous question”
Previous Question
•Requires second
•Not Debatable
•Not Amendable
•Can be reconsidered before vote
•2/3 vote required
Adjourn
•Used to end a meeting.
•Wording:
o“I move to adjourn”
Adjourn
•Requires second
•Cannot be debated
•Cannot be amended
•Cannot be reconsidered
•Requires majority vote
Suspend the Rules
•Used to allow the chapter to act in a
way that would be against the rules of
parliamentary law of the constitutional
laws of the organization.
•Wording:
o“I move to suspend the rules…”
Suspend the Rules
•Requires second
•Not Debatable
•Not Amendable
•2/3 vote required