Transcript Parliamentary Procedure - University of Wisconsin–Extension

Parliamentary Procedure
Sara Gronski
4-H Youth Development Agent
Clark County
Purpose
• Organization
• Legal
• Fair to all participants
Main Motion
• Purpose: To present an item of
business to the group or
organization for consideration.
▫ Requires a second, is
amendable, debatable & a
majority vote (voice)
▫ After a second is received and
the chair acknowledges the
motion – debate can begin.
After debate a voice vote can
pass or fail the motion
• I move that Wayne buys the
county board ice cream.
▫ Correct
• I make a motion that…
▫ Incorrect – we “move
motions”
Amend
• Purpose: To add, subtract or
alter part of the motion
• Must be germane to the
motion
▫ Can’t change the intent of the
motion
• Requires a second, is
amendable, is debatable and
requires a majority vote
• After the motion to amend is
passed don’t forget to go back
and continue debate and vote
on the main motion
▫ I move for Wayne to buy ice
cream for the county board
 I move to amend the motion
by adding “on Tuesday” after
“board”
Amend An Amendment
• Purpose: To add, subtract or
alter part of the amendment
▫ Also can not change the
intent of the
motion/amendment
• Requires a second, is not
amendable, is debatable and
requires a majority vote
▫ I move for Wayne to buy ice
cream for the county board
 I move to amend the motion
by adding “on Tuesday” after
“board”
 I move to amend the
amendment by striking the
words “on Tuesday” and
inserting “on Wednesday”
Refer to a Committee
• Purpose: to have a committee
find more information on the
motion and report back
• Requires a 2nd, is amendable,
is debatable and requires a
majority vote
• I move to refer to the snack
committee the motion that
Wayne buys ice cream for the
county board
Lay on the Table - Take from the Table
• Purpose: to temporarily set a
main motion aside
• Requires a 2nd, is not
amendable, nor debatable and
requires a majority vote
• Motion stays “on the table”
until someone moves to take it
from the table
• Purpose: to take a motion that
had been previously tabled
• Requires a 2nd, is not
amendable, nor debatable and
requires a majority vote
• Motion is taken from the table
and once again treated like a
main motion
▫ I move to lay on the table the
motion that Wayne buys the
county board ice cream
▫ I move to take from the table
the motion that Wayne buys
ice cream for the county
board
Rescind
• Purpose: To take a motion
away before the action has
taken place
▫ Cannot take the motion away
if the ice cream had already
been purchased for the board
• If previous notice (on the
agenda) is given the motion
requires a 2nd, is not
amendable, and is debatable
• If previous notice is not given
then a 2/3 vote is required
• I move to rescind the motion
that Wayne buys the county
board ice cream
▫ If the motion passes Wayne
will not buy ice cream – if it
fails he still will have to
Reconsider
• Intent
▫ To reconsider a motion that
had previously passed
 Usually used when more
information is found
 Maker of the motion must
have voted in favor of the
motion originally
• Requires a 2nd, is amendable,
debatable and requires a
majority vote
• I move to reconsider the
motion that Wayne buys ice
cream for the county board, I
was on the prevailing side
Ratify
• Purpose: To approve
something done without a vote
or permission by the board
after the action has taken place
▫ Requires a 2nd, is amendable,
is debatable and requires a
majority vote
• Wayne purchased ice cream
for the board and spent $50
• Wayne now would like the
board to pay $50 for the ice
cream
• I move to ratify the action
taken by Wayne to purchase
ice cream for the board
▫ Amendment Example
 Only approve
reimbursement to Wayne for
$25
Suspend the Rules
• Purpose: To set aside a rule of
the group except for bylaws,
fundamental principles of
parliamentary law or rules that
protect absent members/basic
rights
▫ Requires a 2nd, is not
amendable nor debatable and
requires a 2/3 vote
• The motion is typically used to
take an item of business out of
order on the agenda
• I move to suspend the
standing rule that ice cream
cannot be eaten in the county
board room
Rules of Debate
• Be recognized by the chair
• Each member is allowed to
debate 2 times – for 10 minutes
each
▫ UNLESS rules of debate have
been changed (suspend the
rules- 2/3 vote) or other special
circumstances
• Debate should be germane
(relevant to the topic)
• All comments should be directed
at the chair –cross talk between
members is not permitted
• The maker of the motion has the
1st option of debating
• The chair then should recognize
someone they believe would
have an opposing view
• Remember all debates should be
courteous and never attack a
fellow board member
▫ Don’t say: “It’s a lie” or “He’s a
lier”
▫ Do Say: “I believe the member
is mistaken”
 Direct the debate to the chair
Limit or Extend Time For Debate
• Purpose: To change the rules
of debate for the motion on
the floor (unless specified
differently)
▫ Requires a 2nd, is amendable,
not debatable and a 2/3 vote
 I move to limit debate to one
more debate
 I move to extend time for
debate to 15 minutes per
person per debate
• Extend:
▫ Examples
 Extra time
 Extra debates
• Limited:
▫ Examples:
 5 minutes each (vs 10)
 10 more minutes of debate
 1 more debate
Call Previous Question
• Formal Question
▫ “I call question”
▫ Requires a 2nd & 2/3 vote
 (rights taken from the
members)
▫ If passed a vote on the
motion is taken immediately
• Either way motion is
moved/called the purpose is to
end debate on the motion on
the floor
• Informal Question
▫ “Question”
▫ Without an objection –
debate is ended and a vote is
taken immediately
• If you don’t want debate to end
and it is an informal motion
(no vote taken) a POINT OF
ORDER can be raised and a
vote should be taken
What if the rules are broken?
• Point of Order
▫ “I rise to a point of order”
 Does not require a 2nd, is not
amendable nor debatable
and is handled by the chair
 You may interrupt the
speaker
 The chair asks for the
“point” and informs the
offending member of their
action and moves forward
• When to use?
▫ Someone debates for a 3rd
time
▫ An amendment or debate is
not germane to the motion
▫ An incorrect vote is taken
 (2/3 vs majority)
What if I don’t understand?
• Parliamentary Inquiry
▫ Call “Parliamentary Inquiry”
if you have question about
parliamentary law
▫ You must be recognized by
the chair before asking your
question
▫ “Is this motion amendable?”
• Point of Information
▫ “I rise to a point of
information” if you have a
question about the motion or
action taking place
▫ “Do we have enough money
in the budget to reimburse
Wayne for the ice cream
purchased?”
▫ The chair answers and if need
be consults the treasurer,
maker of the motion or other
member that has the
necessary information