Parliamentary Procedures Workshop

Parliamentary Procedure
History
English Parliament Journal 1580 Virginia House of Burgesses 1619 Jeffersons Manual 1801; others followed Henry M. Robert
1863, Captain, New Bedford MA meeting 1876, Brig. Gen., Pocket Manual, vanity publication by Griggs & Co. 1912, Roberts Rules, Revised modern format 1923, Family trusteeship 1970, Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised 2000, RONR, 10th Edition

Parliamentary Procedure
[A] very brief pocket manual, so cheap that every member of a church or society could own a copy, and so arranged as to enable one quickly to find when any particular motion could be made.
-Henry M. Robert, describing his vision of his Rules Smedley The Great Peacemaker

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Following Rules: Unless the reason for a rule is understood, it is difficult to learn the rule, and it is still more difficult to apply it successfully in practice.
George C. Crocker, President Massachusetts Senate Crocker's Principles of Procedure preface, 1889

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What Is Parliamentary Procedure?
Parliamentary Procedure provides the group with a structured, logical, consistent format under which to make decisions and therefore should be used to help groups

achieve their goals and objectives through a democratic

process.

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Why is Parliamentary Procedure Important?
You will get more done in less time by following orderly procedures

You will encourage greater participation by all members

You will ensure fair decision-making You will protect the rights of all members, including those present at the meeting, those absent, the majority, the minority, and the entire organization

You will develop more effective leaders

You will help ensure the legal status of your meetings according to society and your own organization

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Parliamentary Procedure Objectives:
Establish purpose and structure of organization Define membership classifications, rights, and obligations Defines rules and procedures for conducting business

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Parliamentary Procedure Principles:
Establish the will of the majority

Establish the right of the minority to be heard Establish protection for the rights of absentees Establish the courtesy and justice for all Consideration of one subject at a time

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Why Use Parliamentary Procedure?
The application of Parliamentary law is the best method yet devised
to enable assemblies of any size, with regard for every members opinion, to arrive at the general will on the maximum number of questions of varying complexity in a minimum time and under all kinds of internal climate ranging from total harmony to hardened or impassioned division of opinion.

Parliamentary Procedure
Organizations using parliamentary procedure usually follow a fixed order of business:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Call to order Roll call of members present Reading of minutes of last meeting Officers report Committee report Special orders Important business previously designated for consideration at this meeting 7. Unfinished business 8. New business 9. Announcements 10. Adjournment

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The method used by members to express themselves is in the form of moving motions.

Individual members can:

1. 2. 3. 4. Call to order Second motions Debate motions Vote on motions

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There are four basic Types of Motions: 1. 2. 3. 4. Main Motions Subsidiary Motions Privileged Motions Incidental Motions

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How Are Motions Presented?
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Obtaining the Floor Make Your Motion Wait for Someone to Second Your Motion Another Member will Second Your Motion or the Chairman will Call for a Second If There is No Second to Your Motion, It is Lost The Chairman States Your Motion Expanding on Your Motion Putting the Question to the Membership

6. 7. 8.

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Voting on a Motion:
1. By Voice 2. By Roll Call 3. By General Consent 4. By Division 5. By Ballot

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Two Other Types of Motions:

1. Motion To Table 2. Motion To Postpone Indefinitely

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Parliamentary Procedure is the best way to get things done at your meetings:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Allow motions that are in order Have members obtain the floor properly Speak clearly and concisely Obey the rules of debate Most importantly, BE COURTIOUS

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In Order For a Debate: 1. Motion Is Seconded 2. Motion Is Stated by Chair (Presiding Officer)

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Effective Meetings How To Plan and Conduct Effective Meetings:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Prepare for the meeting Get the meeting off to a good start Create an atmosphere for participation Move the meeting forward to get results End the meeting Follow-up after the meeting

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The purpose of parliamentary procedure is to facilitate the transaction of business and to promote cooperation and harmony.
- Alice Sturgis Sturgis Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure, p. 7

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http://www.jimslaughter.com/articles.htm http://www.flparliamentarian.com/ http://www.rulesonline.com

Resources

Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised, 10th Edition, 2000, Perseus Publishing, Cambridge, MA, 704 pp. (Often cited as RONR) National Association of Parliamentarians, parliamentarians.org.