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?