Transcript Document

“It is difficult to find another branch of knowledge
where a small amount of study produces such
great results in increased efficiency in a country
where the people rule, as in parliamentary law.”
-Henry M. Robert
John Sturk, Internal Vice-President
RHA Parliamentarian
Overview
 Motions
are our Friend!
 Meeting Protocol & Debate: How We
Do It
 Cast Your Vote: How to Make Your
Voice Heard
 Attendance Policies: Be Here or Be
Square!
 Conclusion/Questions
Parli-Pro Lingo
AKA: SturkSpeak

The Question

– The current proposal
– Relevant to the
before the body

The Chair
– Whoever is presiding
over the meeting,
usually Tim

The Floor
– The person who has
been recognized and
may speak
Germane
Question

Representative
– YOU!!

Quorum
– The minimum number
of people needed to
conduct Business
Motions Are Our Friend!

What is a motion?
– Any formal proposal for action by the body.

How do I make a motion?
– Obtain the floor, and state “Mr. President, I
move…”
– Do not say “I motion…” That’s incorrect!

If you don’t know exactly how to word the
motion you want to make, simply ask for
assistance when you obtain the floor! We’re
happy to help you.
Types of Motions

Four Types of
Motions
– Main
– Subsidiary
– Incidental
– Privileged

Bills are proposals
for action, and
considered Main
Motions
Types of Motions, cont.

Main
– Lowest Rank
– Brings a New Topic before the Body
– Require a Second & Majority vote (50% + 1)

Subsidiary
– Propose action on the Main Motion
– Most require a Second & Majority vote
– Some require a 2/3 vote
Types of Motions, cont.

Privileged
– When something needs to be taken care of NOW
– Most require a Second & Majority vote

Incidental
– Miscellaneous
– Pointing, Questions, Yellow Fruit, and Court-Speak
 Points of Order/Info/Clarify/Pers. Priv., Appeals,
Objections, and Parliamentary Inquiry
Motion Order




Introducing the Motion
Seconding
Questions on the Motion
Debate
– NOT ALL MOTIONS ARE DEBATABLE!

Voting
Common RHA Motions

To Amend
– May not interrupt a Speaker,
Requires a Second
– Must be worded exactly

If you need some assistance, go
ahead and ask! We’re here to help
you!
– Refer to Chapter 2 in “Robert’s
Rules: The RHA Way” in your
binders
Common Motions, cont.

Calling the Previous Question
– Obtain the floor, and say “Call the Question”
 There’s been enough debate
 Pretty much everyone’s ready to move on
 If there’s any Objection, debate will continue

Moving the Previous Question
– Obtain the floor, and say “I move the Previous
Question”



There’s been enough debate
At least 2/3 of the people are ready to vote
Voting to Vote on the Question
Did your mom ever tell
you…

Points of Order, Information, Clarification,
& Personal Privilege
– Order: When the Rules have been breached
– Information: Offering a pertinent and germane
fact to the discussion.
– Clarification: Clarify something you said that
may sound confusing.
– Personal Privilege: Something relating to the
privileges of members, such as room conditions
Meeting Protocol & Debate

Pick up the papers from your folder!
– Agenda, Bills, RHA Today, Voting Cards

Start promptly at 7 PM!
Agenda Items
–Roll Call
– Intro of Guests
–Presentations
–Committee Reports
–New Business
–Reps of the Body
–Officers’ Reports
E-Board
Reps to the Body
General Assembly

–Old Business
–Discussion
–Approval of the
Minutes
–Roll Call
Protocol & Decorum

“Behave, baby! Yeah!”
– Always be respectful of others!
– Personal attacks and Cross-Debate will be
gaveled




Keep your speeches germane!
Avoid using names in debate
Two speeches per Question per Day
You may only yield the floor to another
representative for a question.
– You may NOT give them the floor for debate
purposes!
The Joy of Cards!
During Debate of a Question…

If you want to speak in favor…
– GREEN CARD

If you want to speak in opposition…
– RED CARD

If you agree with the current speaker…
– ORANGE CARD

If you are lost or confused…
– BLUE CARD
– Blue cards are not meant for Points of Info
Vote, Voting, Voted

When the Previous Question is ordered,
debate is cut off, and Tim will take the vote
on the pending Question(s).
– Viva Voce: By voice
– Division: Raise cards in the air, or stand up
– Yeas and Nays: Calling the Roll, or Presenting
Cards

Also known as Roll Call vote
Voting, cont.

Tim will almost always call for viva voce.
– If he’s in doubt, or if you disagree with his call,
yell out “Division!”
– Tim will direct you to either raise the appropriate
card in the air, or ask you to rise from your seat.

If you want to put individual votes on record,
you may move for the Yeas and Nays.
– Rise, and say “Mr. President, on that I request the
Yeas and Nays.”
– You’ll need a second and a majority vote
– The vote may NOT be by the Yeas and Nays!
Attendance:
We want to see your smiling face!

Must be present for both roll
calls to be deemed “present”
for the meeting
 Absences/Leaving Earlies
must be cleared with
Secretary Dave Warden
([email protected])
or your committee chair.
 Two excused absences PER
SEMESTER
 Penalties will be swift and
harsh… BWA HA HA!
What? You weren’t here?!


1st Unexcused: E-mail from me.
2nd Unexcused: Letter from me.
– CC’ed to your President and Advisor.

3rd Unexcused: Meeting with me.
– No organization within your hall (like
Caucuses) can receive funds until regular
attendance is resumed.

4th Unexcused: Suspended voting rights.
– You may not offer motions or vote
– Must attend 3 consecutive meetings, & have
attendance form signed by me/committee chair.
Resources

ME! John Sturk, IVP
– [email protected]

RHA Constitution/Bylaws
 Robert’s Rules: The RHA
Way
 National Assoc. of
Parliamentarians
– www.parliamentarians.org

Robert’s Rules of Order,
Newly Revised, 11th
Edition
Summary
Motions
Meeting
Protocol & Debate
Voting
Attendance Policies
Questions?