IRHO HCC Handbook
Have no fear! Parliamentary procedure does not have to be scary,
intimidating, or even time consuming. Robert’s Rules of Order, set up
by Geh. H.M. Robert was designed to help meetings run smoothly ad more quickly
by cutting down the amount of time talking about personal opinions, judgements,
etc. except where necessary.
Because
we use Parli Pro on a very scaled down version, the following is but an overview
of the “true” parliamentary procedure.
Here it is, in all its glory!!
You
too can be an expert at Parli Pro! Here
are some simple steps you need to take:
Ø
What is the
precedence of this motion?
o
The precedence
of a motion determines what motion is more important than another motion.
For example, a motion to amend or call the previous question (a.k.a.
close debate) may interrupt a main motion, but a main motion may not interrupt
either of these.
Ø
What is this
motion applied to?
o
Most motions go
with the amendment. For instance,
Move to table, call the question, etc. are all motions that go along with the
amendment on the table.
Ø
Can this motion
interrupt a speaker?
o
Some motions are
so important to the proper running of an assembly that they are allowed to
interrupt other motions. A Point
of Order, Point of Personal Privilege, Point of Information, and
others allow you to interrupt the speaker.
These may be shouted at any time!!
Ø
Does this motion
require a second?
o
A motion
generally requires a second for it would be a waste of the assembly’s time to
consider it for only one person. Rules
that safeguard the rights of individuals generally do not require a second.
They include Point of Personal Privilege, Point of Order, Division,
and Point of Information.
Ø
Is this motion
amendable?
o
Some motions
involve quantities that can be changed; hence they are subject to amendment if
the assembly wishes. They included Move
to Recess, Postponing discussion until…, etc.
Ø
What is the
majority required for a passage?
o
Some motions
like Adjournment, Move to Recess, Move to postpone, Move to Table,
Reconsidering a Hasty Action, and bid presentations for awards and positions
require a MAJORITY vote.
o
Some motions
like Moving the Previous Question, Suspending the Rules Temporarily, and all
legislation require a TWO-THIRDS (2/3) vote.
Ø
Can the motion
be reconsidered?
In
other words, can the assembly undo what has already been done?
In some cases, the answer is no. They
include Adjournment, Recess, Division, Point of Information, Suspending the
Rules, and Point of Order.
PARLI
PRO IN ACTION
q
Calling
the Question-->
Used when a person feels that there is no more debate about a proposal and feels
that people are ready to vote.
o
Can be objected
and debate will resume
·
Call the
questionà
any objections?à
yes (go back to discussion), no (vote)
q
Formal Amendment--> A
change in the original proposal. It
will need to be voted upon in order to happen.
·
Make the
amendmentàsecond
needed (no second, amendment dies)à
verified that the amendment doesn’t change the intention of the legislationà It changes the intention (denied and move back into
discussion), doesn’t change the intent (amendment is added) àdiscussion
on the amendmentà
voteà yes (amendment added to the legislation), no
(amendment is not added to the legislation)
q
Point
of Informationà
This motion is sometimes abused. Personal
comments, judgments, or discussion should not be made on this motion.
Use this motion to clarify what is happening (i.e. “Where is the
meeting?” “What time is the program?”
·
Call a point of
informationàstate
what you want to know
q
Point
of Privilege à
This motion is used to complain about heat, noise, etc.
(i.e. “Could you please speak up, we cannot hear you in the back of the
room.”)
·
Call a point of
privilegeà
state what you want to happen
q
Move
to Recess à
This motion is used to suspend the meeting for a certain length of time. (i.e.
“I move to recess for five minutes”)
§
Move to recess
for a length of timeà
second needed (no second, motion fails)à
meeting is recessed the particular length of time.
q
Division
à
This is used to verify a voice vote by having a placard vote.
This is usually used if the voice vote does not clearly state which side
wins the vote. (i.e. “Division”)