Objective: 2.01

Explain the role of parliamentary procedure in

conducting business meetings.

A. Main objectives of Parliamentary Law

1. Focus on one item at a time (helps prevent

confusion)2. Extend courtesy to everyone (recognize before speaking)

3. Observe the rule of the majority (keeps unpopular ideas from being adopted)

4. Ensures the rights of the minority (all sides can make motions, second motions, discuss and vote)

B. Definition of Parliamentary Procedure

5. Using well-defined rules from the book of authority (Robert’s Rules of Order) to conduct business using a formal, organized approach.

D. Presiding officer should be Fair & Impartial

Should leave the chairman’s station & relinquish chairman’s duties to discuss or present a point of view*Symbol of authority is

the gavel.

Order of Business

An agenda (or list) of what will be done at a business meeting should be prepared before the meeting.

Motion: to present a new idea or item of business.

Amend: to change a motion Majority: more than half: group that

controls the vote. Minority: less than half Quorum: 2/3 of the total membership.

Needed to have a meeting.

Parli Pro Rap

Motions

Main Motion

Used to get group approval for a new project or some other course of action

Wording: “I move” NOT “I make a motion”

Main Motion

Requires second Debatable Amendable Majority vote required Can be reconsidered

Number of taps

One Tap

Tells members to be seated Used after passing or rejecting a main

motion Used after the announcement that

the meeting is adjourned

Number of taps

Two taps-calls the meeting to order

Three taps-symbol to rise during opening/closing ceremonies

Series of taps-used to bring the group to order

Amendments

Used to change a main motion

3 ways to amend: addition, substitution, striking out

Wording: “I move to amend the motion”

Amendments

Requires second Debatable Amendable Majority vote required Can be reconsidered

Division of the House

Calls for a counted vote

Wording: “I call for a division of the house.”

Division of the House

Not debatable Not Amendable Does not require second Cannot be reconsidered No vote required

Refer to a Committee Places the motion in a committee

Debatable Amendable Requires a second and majority vote.

Motion should include: Number of committee people How they are appointed Powers/duties When to report back

Lay on the table

To postpone a motion to the next meeting

Motion must be taken from the table at the next meeting to be discussed

Wording: “I move to lay this motion on the table”

Lay on the table Requires second Not debatable Not amendable Cannot be

reconsidered Majority vote

Point of Order

Used when one believes a parliamentary error has been made

Wording: “I rise to a point of order”

Point of order Not debatable Not Amendable Does not require

second Cannot be

reconsidered No vote required

Appeal

Use to appeal the chair’s decision after a point of order has been made. Debatable Not Amendable Requires a second Majority Vote

Suspend the Rules

Motion to temporarily suspend the rules of an organization NOT debatable Requires second 2/3 majority vote

Adjourn

To close the meeting NOT debatable Requires a second Majority vote Takes precedence over all motions.

After Adjourn is passed, no other business can take place till the next day.

E. Many organizations (including FFA) have rituals to explain emblems or symbols & to emphasize traditions & beliefs.

*Rituals include opening & closing ceremonies, degree ceremonies, creeds, etc.

G. Parliamentary Procedure CDE is a team leadership activity, but creed, extemporaneous speaking & prepared public speaking are individual leadership activities.