fundamental parliamentary procedure

Quorum?

Minimum number of members present in order for valid and legal business to be conducted.

Introducing business

To bring an item of business before the chapter, the most common way is by introducing a main motion.

Steps in presenting an item of business:

Rise and address the chair by name, chapter and town (1), recognition by name or title (2), presenting the motion (3) Seconding the motion (4) statement of the question (5)

Obtaining the floor

Recognition by the president/presiding officer/chair is recognition of “having” the floor

Debate

Discussion on debatable question after the president has stated the question and a member has obtained the floor

Order of debate

Basic parliamentary law dictates the maker/presenter of a debatable motion must be first to debate the question after being called upon.

Rules of speaking

A member can speak twice on the same day on the same proposal but is not entitled to make a second speech if another member who hasn’t spoken wishes to obtain the floor.

Rules of time

A member cannot yield any of their speaking time to another member or reserve any portion for a later time.

Right to time

If a member yields the floor, they have waived the right to their remaining time.

germane

debate limited to the immediately pending question, avoiding personal conflict (for this reason, right to the floor can be refused to uncouth members)

putting the question

Taking the vote. After, the president announces the result after a single tap of the gavel.

Voting

If a 2/3 vote is a required, a rising or unanimous consent vote should be taken. After the results, members cannot change their vote without chapter permission.

counting the vote

When a counted vote is wanted, an incidental motion is made; in doing so, the vote will then be conducted either by standing, roll call, or ballot.

Against the constitution

Votes on motions against the constitution are illegal; null and void.

Different types of vote.

Majority, plurality, two thirds, general consent.

Majority vote

Half the legal voting members + one

Plurality vote

When a vote is conducted with more than two options, the option amongst the three or more which has more votes than any other option is the one which wins.

Two-thirds vote

Two thirds of the legal voting membership.

Unanimous (general) consent

The transaction of business is expedited when the president requests it to be approved by unanimous or general consent. This way of voting requires approval without objection from anyone. If even one objects, then a vote must be taken instead.

President leaving the chair.

Sometimes the president may desire to leave the chair to debate the item of business. When this is done, another officer will be asked to preside, usually the vice president unless absent; upon the president’s return, they inform them of the business transacted in their absence. Or this may land at the feet of the secretary.