Understanding Committees and Parliamentary Procedure

Committee

A group performing functions for an assembly.

Committee as a Whole

Entire assembly acting informally as a committee.

Executive Committee

Acts urgently on behalf of a larger governing body.

Board of Management

Oversees organizational governance and decision-making.

Board of Directors

Makes high-level financial and policy decisions.

Board of Governors

Directs management of government agencies or institutions.

Board of Trustees

Manages assets of nonprofit organizations or foundations.

Board of Managers

Oversees administration and operations of an organization.

Board of Regents

Governs public universities and higher education institutions.

Ordinary Committee

Regular committee performing ongoing organizational tasks.

Standing Committee

Permanent committee for specific organizational work.

Special Committee

Temporary committee for a specific purpose.

Quorum

Majority of members required for committee decisions.

Chairman

Leader of a committee, responsible for meetings.

Secretary

Records minutes and manages committee documentation.

Subcommittee

Smaller group within a committee focusing on specific issues.

Motions

Formal proposals made during committee meetings.

Motion to Adopt

Proposal to approve a committee report.

Motion to Rise

Proposal to conclude committee meeting.

Presentation

Introduction and explanation of committee reports.

Consideration of Report

Reviewing and discussing findings before action.

Committee Procedures

Rules governing how committees conduct meetings.

Committee Hearings

Meetings to gather information and review reports.

Adopt Report

Approve a committee report in full or part.

Reject Report

Disapprove a committee report or its parts.

File Report

Store the report for future consideration.

Return Report

Send report back with instructions for revisions.

Refer Report

Send report to another committee for review.

Postpone Consideration

Delay discussion of the report to later.

Committee Amendments

Proposed changes by committee to motions or resolutions.

Discharge of Committee

Remove committee from further consideration by vote.

Committee Report

Written account of committee's work and recommendations.

Contents of Committee Reports

Includes committee name, subject, findings, and recommendations.

Approval of Report

Majority decision needed before presenting to assembly.

Financial Report

Requires verification by auditor or auditing committee.

Majority Vote

More than half of votes needed for decisions.

Constitution Amendment

Requires specific rules outlined in the constitution.

By-Laws

Rules that detail provisions of the constitution.

Scope of Action

Defines the extent of the committee's authority.

Statements of Information

Data received by the committee on the subject.

Findings and Conclusions

Results derived from committee's investigation and analysis.

Recommendations

Suggestions made by committee for action or policy.

Signatures

Approval marks from committee members on reports.

Constitution

Set of principles defining an organization's government.

By-Laws

Rules governing the internal management of an organization.

Amendments

Changes proposed to existing resolutions or documents.

Chair

Member presiding over meetings and discussions.

Voting Procedure

Process of accepting or rejecting proposals by members.

Two-Thirds Vote

Majority required to suspend by-laws temporarily.

Quorum

Minimum number of members required to conduct business.

Standing Rules

Minor policies adopted for operational details.

Committee Report

Document summarizing committee findings and recommendations.

Adoption of Reports

Assembly accepts a committee report through voting.

Membership Rules

Guidelines governing member admission and responsibilities.

Duties of Officers

Responsibilities assigned to elected organizational leaders.

Parliamentary Procedure

Rules for orderly and fair meeting conduct.

Resolution

Formal statement presented for assembly consideration.

Amendment of Constitution

Process to change the constitution's provisions.

Financial Provisions

Rules governing the organization's financial management.

Order of Business

Sequence of items to be discussed in meetings.

Disciplinary Actions

Measures taken to address member misconduct.

Election Process

Procedure for electing officers and committee members.

Effectivity of Constitution

Point at which the constitution becomes enforceable.

Proposed Amendments

Suggested changes to existing resolutions for clarity.

Nominees List

Candidates recommended for positions or membership.

Ratification

Formal approval of a proposed measure or agreement.

Promulgation

Official announcement of a law or regulation.

Judicial Interpretation

Court's explanation of laws and regulations.

Main Motion

Proposal for discussion in a deliberative assembly.

General Main Motion

Broad proposal introducing a new subject.

Specific Main Motion

Proposal addressing a particular issue or request.

Majority Vote

More than half of votes needed to pass.

By-laws

Rules governing an organization's structure and operations.

Subsidiary Motion

Motion modifying or disposing of a main motion.

Privileged Motion

Urgent motion with highest precedence in assembly.

Incidental Motion

Motion arising from another motion's context.

Amendment

Change proposed to a motion or by-law.

Resolution

Formal expression of opinion or decision.

Objection to Consideration

Motion to prevent discussion of a question.

Suspend the Rules

Motion to temporarily set aside established rules.

Lay on the Table

Motion to temporarily set aside a matter.

Postpone Indefinitely

Motion to dismiss a matter without a vote.

Call for Previous Question

Motion to end debate and proceed to vote.

Reconsider

Motion to review a previously decided matter.

Take from the Table

Motion to resume consideration of a previously tabled matter.

Adjourn

Motion to end a meeting or session.

Urgent Motions

Require immediate action or have strict time limits.

Incidental Motions

Motions needing immediate attention affecting member rights.

Precedence of Incidental Motions

Take precedence over main and subsidiary motions.

Privileged Motions

Incidental motions yield to privileged motions.

Decision Requirement

Must be decided before meeting can continue.

Amendment of Incidental Motions

Cannot be amended under parliamentary procedure.

Debate on Incidental Motions

Cannot be debated, except for appeal motion.

Raising Incidental Motions

Typically raised by specific phrases indicating urgency.

Interrupting Motions

Can interrupt a speaker due to time limits.

Types of Interrupting Motions

Include appeal, division, point of order, inquiry.

Vote Requirement for Motions

Majority vote needed to approve most motions.

Seconding a Motion

Requires support from another member to proceed.

Two-Thirds Vote Motions

Needed for motions overturning basic parliamentary principles.

Demand or Request Motions

Include calling previous question or modifying debate limits.