Parliamentary Procedure Basic Terms

FFA LDE Competition Practice

Parliamentary Procedure

Correct rules for conducting or running a successful meeting.

True! “I rise to a Point of Order. According to Robert’s Rules of Order, the creator of the motion has first rights to debate.”

True or False? The maker of a motion has the right to discuss it first.

Main Motions

Used to introduce ideas to the group. Must be stated in the form “I move that…” or “I move to…” Can not be in negative form. Only one of these at a time. They require a second, are amendable, debatable, and require majority vote.

True. (Why would you want to speak out against your own idea?)

True or False? The person who makes a motion can not talk against it.

Steps to Handling a Main Motion

Stand. Asked to be recognized by President. President recognizes you by name. Motion is correctly stated. Motion is seconded. Motion is repeated by President. Motion is discussed. President restates motion. Motion is voted on. Results of vote announced by President.

Postpone Indefinitely

To kill a main motion. Requires a second. Not Amendable. Debatable. Majority vote. Can be reconsidered only if passed.

Amendments

To modify a main motion. This can be done in four ways: inserting in middle, adding to end, striking out, and/or striking out and inserting. Requires a second. Amendable. Debatable. Majority Vote.

Amendment to an Amendment

To modify an amendment to make it more specific. Requires a second. Debatable. Not amendable. Majority vote.

Refer to Committee

Used to send a pending question to a small group so that the question may be carefully investigated. Requires a second. Amendable. Debatable. Majority vote. Two ways to appoint a committee: standing committee (one of the 15 listed in the Program of Activities) or special committee (appointed by president, number of members can be 3 or more).

Postpone Definitely

Allow for the motion on the floor to be deferred to a different day, meeting, or until after a certain event. Requires a second. Amendable. Debatable. Majority Vote.

Limit or Extend Debate

To limit or lengthen the time allowed for discussion on a motion when it is clear that there will be an excessive amount of discussion or when the amount of time for the meeting is limited. Requires a second. Debatable. Amendable (amount of time or number of speakers only). 2/3 Majority Vote. The maker of the motion must specify the amount of time and the number of speakers that can debate the motion.

Previous Question

To force an immediate Vote on the motion. Requires a second. Not amendable. Not debatable. 2/3 Vote.

Lay on Table

To deter action on the motion until later in the meeting or until the next meeting. Requires a second. Not amendable. Not debatable. Majority Vote.

Take from the Table

To take a motion that is on the table off of the table. Requires a second. Not amendable. Not debatable. Majority vote.

Reconsider

To reevaluate a decision that was made earlier. Requires a second. Not amendable. Debatable. Majority vote. If passed, the motion to be ______ is handled just as if it was never voted on. Only can be made by a person who voted on the winning side. If passed the motion is handled immediately if: only a main motion with amendments is on the floor. Motions that can be _______: main motions, amendments, refer to committee, pospone definitely, previous question, appeal the decision of the chair, only if failed (withdraw), and only if passed (pospone indefinitely).

Rescind

To repeal a previous action. Requires a second. Debatable. Amendable. 2/3 majority vote.

Suspend the Rules

Allows the chapter to break the rules of parliamentary procedure, or the current constitution for a short period of time. Requires a second. Not amendable. Not debatable. 2/3 vote.

Modify or Withdraw

This motion allows for the maker of the motion to change a motion or completely take it off the floor for discussion. Not amendable. Not debatable. If made before President first states the motion it is automatically _____ with no second or vote. If made after President first states the motion, the following steps must be taken: If anyone objects to the maker withdrawing the motion, it must be seconded, and passed with majority vote. If no one objects, the motion is automatically withdrawn. Can not be made after discussion has begun.

Divide a Motion

This motion allows a motion that has been made to be split into two different motions. This can only be made on motions that have two main ideas that are not dependent on each other. Requires a second. Not debatable. Amendable. Majority vote.

Object to the Consideration

Used when a member thinks that the activity or action of the group is not appropriate. Does not require a second. Not amendable. Not debatable. 2/3 vote.

Division

When called, this forces a immediate physical revote (by standing or hand). Does not require a second. Not debatable. No vote needed.

Point of Order

Used when a member thinks that the rules of the group or the rules of parliamentary procedure are being violated. Does not require a second. Not amendable. Not debatable. President decided on verdict.

Appeal

To reverse the decision of the chairman, after they have made an error. Requires a second. Not amendable. Debatable (this is the only motion where President can discuss). Majority vote. Most of the time you should support the decision of your president.

Orders of the Day

This motion forces the group to return to the set agenda, without finishing the current business. Does not require a second. Not amendable. Not debatable. 2/3 vote against to fail. Can only be made on motions that are not on the set agenda for that meeting.

Question of Privilege

This allows for people in the group to ask for changes in the temperature, for ideas clarified, for motions to be explained, for others to repeat their discussion or motions, and anything that may help the meeting run more smoothly. Does not need a second. Not amendable. Not debatable. Note vote, presidents decision.

Recess

This allows for a short break in the meeting. Needs a second. Amendable. Debatable. Majority vote. Must specify the length of time in the motion.

Adjourn

To end the meeting. Needs a second. Not amendable. Not debatable. Majority Vote.

Fix Time to Reassemble

To arrange time for next meeting. Needs a second. Amendable. Debatable. Majority vote.