• Allow Motions That Are In Order

• Have Members Properly Obtain the Floor

• Speak Clearly and Concisely

• Obey the Rules of Debate

• Most Important Be Courteous

1. What is Parliamentary Procedure?

2. Why is Parliamentary Procedure Important?

3. Example of the Order of Business

4. Motions

5. Types of Motions

6. How are Motions Presented?

7. Voting on a Motion

1 • What is Parliamentary Procedure?

It is a set of rules for conduct at meetings, that allows everyone to be heard and to make decisions without confusion.

2 • Why is Parliamentary Procedure Important?

It is a time tested and honored method of conducting business at meetings and public gatherings.  Roberts Rules of Order is the basic handbook of operation for most clubs, organizations and other groups.  So it is important that everyone know these basic rules!

3 • Example of the Order of Business

Professional organizations using parliamentary procedure usually follow a fixed order of business.  Below is a typial example.

1. Call to Order

2. Roll Call

3. Reading of Minutes from Last Meeting

4. Officers Reports

5. Committee Reports

6. Special Orders

7. Unfinished Business

8. New Business

9. Annoucements

10. Adjournment

4 • Motions

The method used by members to express themselves is in the forms of moving motions.  A motion is a proposal that the entire membership take action or a stand on an issue.

Individual members can

1. Call to Order

2. Second Motions

3. Debate Motions

4. Vote on Motions

5 • Types of Motions

There are four basic types of motions.

1. Main Motions are to introduce items to the membership for their consideration.  They cannot be made when any other motion is on the floor and must yield to privileged, subsidiary and incidental motions.

2. Subsidiary Motions are to change or affect how a main motion is handled and is voted on before a main motion.

3. Privileged Motions are to raise items that are urgent about special or important matters unrelated to pending business.

4. Incidental Motions are a means of questioning procedure concerning other motions and must be considered before the other motion.

6 • How are Motions Presented?

Being Recognized and Obtaining the Floor

1. Wait until the last speaker is finished.

2. Rise and address the Chair by saying, "Mr or Madam Chairman" or "Mr or Madam President."

3. Wait until recognized by the Chair.

Make Your Motion

1. Speak in a clear and concise manner.

2. Always state a motion affirmatively by saying, "I move that we..." rather than, "I move that we do not..."

3. Avoid personalities and stay on the subject.

Wait for Someone to Second Your Motion

Another Member Will Second Your Motion or the Chair Will Call for a Second

Your Motion is Lost If There is No Second

The Chair States Your Motion

1. The Chair will say, "It has been moved and seconded that..." thus placing a motion before the membership for consideration and action.

2. The membership then either debates the motion or moves directly to a vote.

3. Once a motion is presented to the membership by the Chair it becomes "Assembly Property" and cannot be changed by you without the consent of the members.

Expanding on Your Motions

1. The time for you to speak in favor of your motion is at this point rather than at the time you present it.

2. The mover is always allowed to speak first.

3. All comments and debate must be directed to the Chair.

4. Adhere to the time limit that has been established for speaking.

5. The mover may speak again only after other speakers are finished unless called upon by the Chair.

Putting the Motion to the Membership

1. The Chair asks if there is membership is ready to vote.

2. A vote is taken if there is no further discussion.

7 • Voting on a Motion

The method of voting on any motion depends on the situation and the By Laws.  There are five methods of voting.

1. Voice • The Chair asks those in favor to say, "Aye" and those opposed to say, "No".  Any member may move for an exact count.

2. Roll Call • Each members answers yes or no as their name is called.  This method is used when a record of each vote is required.

3. General Consent • When a motion is not likely to be opposed, the Chair says, "If there is no objection..." the membership shows agreement by their silence, however if one member objects the item must be put to a vote.

4. Division • This is a slight verification of the Voice vote.  It does not require a count unless the Chair desires.  Members raise their hands or stand.

5. Ballot • Members write their votes on paper when secrecy is desired.