Transcript Parliamentary Law and Procedure

Parliamentary Procedures
Congressional Charter and By-Laws
And Manual of Procedure and Ritual
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States
ARTICLE X—RULES OF ORDER
Sec. 1001– Rules of Order Governing All
Meetings.
The following Rules of Order shall
govern all meetings. Any procedural
matter not provided for by these rules shall
be governed by Demeter’s Manual of
Parliamentary Law and Procedure. These
rules may be altered or amended at any
regular session of the body, upon
proposition in writing, and by the majority
vote of those present and voting. Any
alteration or amendment of these rules
provided herein shall be in accordance
with permitted by Demeter’s.
What is Parliamentary Procedure?
Parliamentary procedure, or parliamentary
law, is the code of rules and ethics for
working together in groups. According to
the Demeter's it refers to rules, laws,
regulations of organizations governing the
orderly, expeditious and efficient transaction
of business and meetings and conventions.
Without rules, there would be injustice and
Confusion.
Hence, it is necessary to follow the rules of
Parliamentary law as it is to follow rules of a
ball game or card game. All profit and nonprofit corporations and associations such as
the VFW and the boards, councils,
commissions and committees of government
must observe parliamentary law.
Post SHALL hold at least one regular
meeting each month. The appointed day
and time for such meeting shall be provided
in the Post By-Laws. Post members and the
Department Commander shall be notified of
any change of regular meetings. You must
have at least 5 members in good standing to
make a Quorum, and any member in good
standing or on official business may visit a
post meeting. (They have no voice in
business discussions and no voting priv.)
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ORDER OF BUISNESS-POSTS
Opening in due forum
Commander: Recitation of the purpose of
the VFW (Section 3 of the Charter)
Roll call of officers
Read refer membership applications
Reports of Committee’s
Ballot on candidates
Muster in recruits
Read Minutes
Quartermasters Report
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ORDER OF BUISNESS-POSTS
Report of Service Officer
Report on Comrade or families of comrade
in distress
Report of committees
Remember National Home
Unfinished Business
New Business
Good of the order
Closing due form
Rules during meetings
• In meetings of the VFW, members holding
office shall be addressed as “Comrade”
followed by the title of the office they hold.
All other members shall be addressed as
“Comrade”.
“COMRADE COMMANDER”
“COMRADE SENIOR VICE”
“COMRADE CHAPLAIN”
“COMRADE 10th DISTRICT
COMMANDER”
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Rules during meetings
All members present and entitled have a
right to vote
Only VFW regulation caps are to be worn
at meetings (no ball caps)
No member shall be interrupted while
speaking
On questions of order there is no debate
A member can change his vote from one
side to the other as long as it is done prior
to the final results.
Rules during meetings
• The presence, dispensation, and/or
consumption of alcoholic beverages in
VFW meetings rooms during VFW
meetings is unacceptable and is
prohibited.
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Tips for shortening meetings
“Be sincere…be brief…be seated."
Unfortunately not all members follow this
advice, as a result, discussion at meetings
can be lengthy and repetitive.
No one speak more than 10 minutes
No one speak a second time until every
one who wishes to speak a first time has
spoken.
No one should speak more than twice on
the same business.
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Tips for shortening meetings
Alternate pro and con.
Encourage new discussion by asking for
speakers who have not yet spoken.
Ask for a motion to end discussion
Set discussion time prior to lengthy issues
MEETING MYTHS
MYTH:" We don’t use Parliamentary
Procedure.”
Whether you are aware of it or not,
VFW meetings (suppose to) follow
Parliamentary procedure.
MYTH:" The absence of a forum is okay if
nobody brings it up.
WRONG! (how many make a forum?)
MEETING MYTHS
MYTH:" Discussion First, Motion Later.
No discussion should occur without being
Proceeded by a “motion” to take action.
MYTH:“ Any one can speak at our meetings.
Only members of the particular body are
allowed to speak. Only board members
have a right to participate in board meetings.
(others can attend but not participate)
The purpose of parliamentary procedure
is to facilitate the transaction of
business and to promote cooperation
and harmony
Parliamentary law should be the servant,
not the master, of the assembly.
If you want to kill any idea in the world,
get a committee working on it.
Whenever you find yourself on the side
of the majority, it is time to pause and
reflect.
One man with courage makes a majority.