Parliamentary Procedure
What is Parliamentary
Procedure?
It’s a set of rules used to conduct
meetings
It allows everyone to be heard and to
make decisions without confusion
Respects the rights of the minority and
carries out the will of the majority
Why study Parliamentary
Procedure and Debate?
Time-tested
method of
conducting
business
Many people in
ag. Serve on or
speak before
boards and
commissions
FFA meetings use
parli pro
Prepare
students for
job interviews
Learn to think
logically and
see both sides
of issues
Compete in a
sectional
contest
Where did Parliamentary
Procedure come from?
Originated in the English Parliament
Came to America with first settlers
Henry M. Robert published first manual
on Parliamentary law in 1876
Robert’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 agenda
Members must be “recognized” by
chairman
Main motions introduce the subject to
be discussed
Motions need “seconds”
Everyone speaks that wants too.
How is a Main Motion
presented?
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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 Voice
Chairperson asks those in favor of the motion to say
“aye” and those opposed to say “nay”
By Show of Hands
Members raise their hands as an alternative
to a voice vote. Does not have to be counted
Voting on a Motion
By Roll Call
Each person’s name is read and each member
says “yes” or “no”
By Ballot
Each 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
chairman
Passing 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 pass
May debate the Main Motion even though the
PIND is on the floor
Ranks above the main motion only (see parli
pro graphic chart
Amendments
Used to modify or change a motion
There 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.”
Amendments
Maker of amendment must be recognized by
the chairman
Requires a second, is amendable and needs a
majority vote to pass
Must be germane to the motion
Only one amendment to the motion is
considered at a time
Debate is limited to desirability of amendment
only
Rank 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 investigation
Maker of the referral must be recognized by the
chairman
Requires a second, is amendable and needs a
majority vote to pass
Ranks above Main Motion, PIND, and Amendment
Debate is restricted to the reasons for making the
refer to a committee
Usually, 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 pass
Debate is restricted to why you
are postponing this question, not
on the merits of the main motion
Postponing 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 chairman
Ranks 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
chairman
No 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
chairman
Can be introduced at any time
No 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
chairman
Can be introduced at any time
No 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 motions
Requires a second and majority vote
Cannot amend or debate the motion to
adjourn