Transcript Slide 1
Parliamentary Procedure
for Political Conventions
Richard D. Hayes
Attorney at Law
Professional Registered Parliamentarian
Hayes, Berry, White & Vanzant, LLP
512 W. Hickory Street, Suite 100
Denton, Texas 76201
[email protected]
(940) 387-3518
May 12, 2012
WHAT IS PARLIAMENTARY
PROCEDURE?
Way in which a group of people come
together for the purpose of making and
authorizing policy changes and
administrative decisions in an orderly way
RULES THAT GOVERN
• Texas Constitution
• Texas Election Code
• Texas Republican Party Rules
• Rules of Order
• Special Rules of Order
• Standing Rules
MANY PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITIES
RPT RULE 5 –
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER
Current edition of selected
authority is named
Party may adopt special
rules of order as needed to
supplement the
parliamentary authority
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
The rules of parliamentary law are constructed on
certain basis rights:
of the majority
of the minority, especially a strong minority (greater
than one third) to be heard
of individual members
of absentees
courtesy and justice
consideration of one subject
at a time
While parliamentary procedure cannot
guarantee that every members of the Party is
pleased with the outcome of a decision, it
aims to ensure that every member is satisfied
by the manner in which the decision was
made, and that the Party makes decisions
efficiently but with consideration for every
member’s opinion
8 STEPS FOR HANDLING A MOTION
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
A member rises and seeks recognition
The Chair assigns the floor
A member makes a motion
Another member seconds the motion
The Chair states the question
Members debate the motion
The Chair puts the question to a vote
The Chair announces the result of the vote
1. SEEK RECOGNITION
In S.D. Caucus:
Member rises and addresses the chair
“Mr./Madam Chairman”
The member remains standing and awaits
recognition by the Chair
In General Session:
Member goes to microphone
Microphone worker activates
appropriate light for Parliamentary
Motion
The member remains standing and awaits
recognition by the Chair
2. ASSIGNING THE FLOOR
In SD Caucus:
Chair recognizes the member
Calls member by name or title
Nods to the member (in a small assembly)
The member gives name and county
In General Session:
The Chair identifies microphone # and type of Motion
The member gives name, SD #, County and purpose for
which they seek recognition
Chair recognizes the member
To bring an interrupting motion to the attention of the
Chair, a delegate may use the microphone immediately
for the stated purpose
3. MAKE MOTION
A member makes
a motion:
“I move that (to)…”
or
“Resolved, That…”
4. SECOND
Another member seconds
the motion.
“I second the motion.”
or
“Second”
No recognition required
Do not have to stand
5. CHAIR STATES THE QUESTION
The chair states the question.
“It is moved and seconded that (to)…
6. MEMBERS DEBATE THE MOTION
Discussion or debate is how an assembly decides whether a
proposed course of action should be followed
Maker of the motion has right to speak first
All remarks must be addressed to the chair (not to other
members)
Debate must be confined to the merits of the pending question
Debate may not exceed five minutes for a Main Motion nor
more than three minutes on Amendment or debatable motion
subsequently made without general consent of the convention.
RPT Rule 17
Debate should alternate between those favoring and those
opposing a measure
Debate can be closed by majority vote, or by the Chair if no one
seeks the floor for further debate. RPT Rule 16a
7. CHAIR PUTS THE QUESTION
The chair asks, “Are you ready for the
question?”
If no one rises to claim the floor, the chair
proceeds to take the vote.
The chair says, “The question is on the
adoption of the motion that (to)…
[repeating the motion].”
Voice Vote
“Those in favor of the motion, say aye. [Pause]
“Those opposed, say no. [Pause]”
Delegation Voting Strength - T.E.C. 174.096 (a)
cast number of votes equal to as many delegates
entitled to
Roll Call Vote – RPT Rule 7
• When ordered by a majority vote of the delegates
• When demanded in writing by at least 1/5 of
the District delegations
• When by decision of Convention Chairman
Proxy Voting – Prohibited. RPT Rule 6
Right to Abstain
8. CHAIR ANNOUNCES RESULT
THE CHAIR ANNOUNCES THE RESULT OF THE VOTE
Which side has it
Whether adopted or lost
Effect of the vote
Where applicable,
announcement of the
next item of business
PARLIAMENTARY
MOTIONS
NOMINATIONS
Nominations – naming a person as a candidate for
an office or position
Member making nomination should rise and be
recognized
No second is required, although a member may
second to show support
Motion to close nominations shall not be in order
until there has been a reasonable opportunity for
additional nominations. RPT Rule 16b
MAIN MOTION
If you want to bring
business before the
assembly, make a:
“I move to (that)…”
or
“Resolved, That…”
AMEND
If you want to change a motion, move to Amend by:
1. inserting or adding words or a paragraph
2. striking out words or a paragraph
3. striking out and inserting words or
substituting a paragraph
LIMIT DEBATE
If you want to change
the rules of debate,
move to:
Limit or extend the
limits of debate RPT
Rule 17d
PREVIOUS QUESTION
If you want to close and
end debate, move the:
Previous question
Rule 16a
To obtain information about
parliamentary law or rules of the
Party, make a:
PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY
To request information
relevant to the business at
hand, make a:
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
POINT OF ORDER
When inappropriate action has been taken by
the assembly or one of its members, a
member may enforce the rules by making a
Point of Order
APPEAL
When a member disagrees with a parliamentary
ruling made by the chair
ACTION ITEMS – SD CAUCUS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Elect permanent officers
Elect permanent committee members
Elect SREC Committeeman and
Committeewoman
Nominate State Chairman and Vice
Chairman
ACTION ITEMS – CD CAUCUS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Elect permanent officers
Elect National Nomination Committee
member
Nominate National Committeeman and
Committeewoman
Elect 3 Delegates/Alternates to National
Convention
Elect Elector
ACTION ITEMS – GENERAL SESSION
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Receive and take action on Permanent Credentials
Committee Report
Receive and take action on Permanent Organization
Committee Report
Receive and take action on National Nomination
Committee Report
Receive and take action on Permanent Rules & Order
of Business Committee Report
Receive and take action on Permanent Platform &
Resoultions Committee Report
Elect State Chairman and Vice Chairman
Elect National Committeeman and Committeewoman
LIGHTS
At each microphone there is a control panel
with four colored lights
Blue light – motions
Green light – speak in favor of motion
Red light – speak against motion
– interrupting Motions
(e.g., Point of Order, Appeal, Request for
Information, Parliamentary Inquiry)
The last four letters in “American” = I Can
The last four letters in “Republican” = I Can
The last four letters in “Democrats” = Rats
End of Lesson. Test to follow in November.
November will be set aside as rodent
extermination month.