Parliamentary Procedures

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Parliamentary Procedures

• Principles of Health Science

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History of Parliamentary Procedure

• Parliamentary Procedure arose out of the early
  days of English Parliamentary Law.
• Formalized by an individual name General Henry M.
  Roberts
• -19th century US Army Engineer
• -Roberts Rules of Order

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What is Parliamentary Procedure?

• An organized way to conduct business, and make
  decisions in meetings using 3 basic principles.
• Principles
• 1. The right of the majority to rule
• 2. The right of the minority to be heard
• 3. The equal right of each individual to be
  heard and represented.

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What is Parliamentary Procedure?

• Fundamentally, parliamentary procedure defines
  how groups of people, no matter how formal or
  informal, can most effectively meet and make
  decisions in a fair, consistent mannerand make
  good use of everyones time. (NAP)

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Who Uses Parliamentary Procedure?

• U.S. Congress
• State legislatures
• City and county councils
• School boards
• Clubs
• Professional Organizations

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Important Terms

• Adjourn-close the meeting
• Aye-yes
• Debate-to discuss
• Germane-closely related to, or having a direct
  bearing upon
• Has the floor-has the right to speak
• Lay on table-a motion made to put the current
  motion on hold until a later time

• Point of Order-a motion made to point out that a
  mistake has occurred in Parliamentary Procedure
• Point of information-a motion made when a member
  needs to gather additional information or ask a
  question
• Minutes-a record of all the proceedings performed
  at the meeting-not what was said, but what was
  done

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Simple Majority

• 51 or more-the rule of simple majority
• Since the primary objective is to determine the
  will of the majority and execute its will, a
  simple majority must be used.

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Equal Rights

• All members have equal rights, privileges and
  obligations
• Guarantees the right of the majority to decide
• Rights of minority are respected by Parli
  Procedure. The right to be heard and oppose are
  the rights of the minority.

• Each member has an equal right to propose a
  motion, debate, ask for information, and vote.
• Only one question can be considered at a time.
• Any motion restricting the rights of members to
  speak or vote must be passed by a 2/3 majority
  vote.

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Agenda

• A list of all of the work to be considered at the
  meetingorder of business.
• Decided by the Chair or President prior to the
  meeting

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Agenda

• Usual agenda includes
• 1. Call to order-done by the Chair or acting
  Chair with a gavel
• 2. Taking of roll by the secretary
• 3. Reading of the minutes from the previous
  meeting
• 4. Treasurers Report
• 5. Report of Officers

• 6. Standing Committee Reports
• 7. Special Committee Reports
• 8. Unfinished Business
• 9. New Business
• 10. Program
• 11. Adjournment

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Officers

• President, Chair, Chairman, Presiding Officer
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Historian
• Parliamentarian
• Sergeant at Arms

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President

• Conduct meetings according to the chapter bylaws
  and standing rules
• Take the leadership role when working with
  officers and members
• Develop the Program of Work and coordinate
  activities with the chapter advisor
• Keep chapter meetings and activities on task
• Appoint committees and serve as an ex-officio
  member

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Secretary

• Prepare the minutes of meetings, chapter
  correspondence, and reports
• Help develop meeting agendas with the president
• Record the roll at all chapter meetings
• Work with the treasurer in maintaining membership
  data
• Read minutes and communications at chapter
  meetings

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Treasurer

• Maintain efficient management and documentation
  of chapter funds
• Help collect club dues
• Keep financial records neat and accurate
• Assist in preparing the chapter budget
• The treasurers report is always filed with the
  secretary

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Historian

• Maintain a history of local club activities
  throughout the yearthey may want to save this in
  a notebook or make a slide show

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Parliamentarian

• Watches over the meeting and enforces the use of
  correct parliamentary procedure

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Sergeant at Arms

• Helps to maintain order

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Motions

• To introduce a motion
• -no one else has the floor
• -stand and address the chair Mr/Madam
  President
• -remain standing until recognized by the chair
• I move that (to)..... and sit down.
• Someone must second that motion by saying
• -I second the motion or Second
• The chair states the motion It is moved and
  seconded that....

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Motions, contd

• Members may debate the motion.
• -Debate is acceptable and helps the organization
  make the best decision
• -Debate must be approached fairly and
  consistently
• Members must obtain the floor
• All remarks are addressed to the chair not to
  other members
• Should only debate for 10 minutes unless it is
  decided to continue by the assembly.
• No member can speak twice on the same motion

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Motions, contd

• The maker of the motion cannot speak against it,
  but you may vote against it.
• The presenter may be the first person to speak in
  the debate

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Voting on the Motion

• The chair asks Are you ready for the question?
  
• The question is on the adoption of the motion
  that....As many as are in favor, say Aye.
• Those opposed, say no
• Madam/Mr. Chairperson announces the result of the
  vote
• The ayes have it, the motion is adopted,
  and..... or The noes have it, and the motion is
  lost

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Model Meeting

• Any actors?

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Sources

• National Association of Parliamentarians,
  http//parliamentarians.org/index.php
• UNT-Health Science