Parliamentary Procedure
Terms
undefined, object
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- May the chair initiate a re-vote?
- yes
- What are the countable voting methods?
-
raising hands
standing
marking ballots
roll call
mechanical device - Who divides the group into smaller sections for counting?
- tellers
- Who is in charge of organizing and supervising the counting of the votes and communicating them to the chair?
- chief teller
- What is "simple majority"?
- more than half the votes cast
- Motions are broken into what five classes?
-
*privileged
*subsidiary
*incidental
*unclassified
*main - What is the function of the subsidiary motions?
- to modify or in some other manner help dispose of the main motion
- What are the subsidiary motions in rank?
-
1. to lay on the table
2. to call for previous question
3. to limit or extend debate
4. to postpone definitely
5. to refer to committee
6. to amend
7. to postpone indefinitely - What are the privileged motions in order of rank?
-
1. to fix the time to which to adjourn
2. to adjourn
3. to recess
4. to raise a question of privilege
5. to call for the orders of the day - Which class of motions is the lowest rank?
- main
- If a member attempts to participate in the meeting but does so improperly, how should the chair handle that?
- help the member rephrase the motion and explain how to participate correctly
- As a courtesy, when debate begins on a motion, a presiding officer should allow whom the first chance to discuss?
- the person who moved the motion
- "The floor" means?
- the person that should have the attention of the group
-
What are the qualities of a good member?
(minimum of 4) -
*attend every meeting possible
*act for the benefit of the total group
*use correct parliamentary procedure
*give attention to the proceedings of the meeting
*be orderly and polite
*refer to other members with respect
*discuss issues and problems
*be careful not to offend others
*accept the decision of the majority - What is the symbol of the chair's authority in a meeting?
- gavel
- What are the purposes for the strokes of the gavel?
-
1 - announce vote; get attention; be seated
2 - call meeting to order
3 - members rise
series - restore order - What is the wooden block called?
- sounder
- What are the unclassified motions?
-
*to reconsider
*to rescind
*to take from the table - What is used by a member to formally propose that the group take some action?
- main motion
- What are the incidental motions?
-
*to object to the consideration of a question
*to appeal the decision of the chair
*to rise to a point of order
*to rise to parliamentary inquiry
*to call for division of the house
*to withdraw a motion
*to suspend the rules - Does the chair have to recognize any member?
- only those who properly request recognition
- Which class of motions has the highest rank?
- privileged
- If the chair has waited for a reasonable time and there has been no second, what happens?
- the chair should rule the motion dead and move to the next item on the agenda
- Required majorities that are greater than a simple majority are called?
- super majority
- When can a chairperson vote?
- to make or break a tie
- If a secret ballot vote ends in a tie, does the chair get to keep his/her vote secret?
- no
- Can the group choose to vote a different way than the chair chooses?
- yes, with a simple motion
- When can a decision be made by less than majority?
-
*when a roll call vote is demanded
*elections - What is plurality?
- the most votes received
- What is the signal that a transaction is finished?
- a single rap of the gavel
- Qualified adjournments are ranked as?
- main motions
- What does the term "qualified" mean?
- a time is specified
- What does "unqualified" mean?
- starts right away
- When is a recess (qualified or unqualified) debatable and amendable?
- when there is no business on the floor
- Unqualified adjournments are ranked as?
- privileged motions
- What is the purpose of "object to consideration of a question"?
- prevent discussion of matters which are not worthy of attention
- Typically "to raise a question of privilege" is decided by the chair. When is this not true?
- when the chair is in doubt
- When can an unqualified adjournment be moved?
- anytime except during a vote
- What ability may be objected to?
- a main motion
- What motion will delay action to another meeting but not have a specific time?
- lay on the table
- What is the purpose of the motion "to call for the orders of the day"?
-
*to compel the group to follow the agenda (formal)
*to find out the agenda (informal) - When must a motion be objected to?
- after the motion has received a second and been restated by the chair, but before the first debate
- What is the purpose of laying a motion on the table?
- to set aside an original main motion
- What motion will delay action to another meeting and have a specific time?
- postpone definitely
- May the secretary cast a unanimous vote if the nominations were closed?
- no
- What are the abilities that require no recognition?
-
*rise to question of privilege
*call for the orders of the day
*object to consideration of the question
*appeal the decision of the chair
*rise to a point of order
*rise to a parliamentary inquiry
*division of the house - Who may withdraw a motion?
- the person who moved the motion
- Why should correct procedures be followed when electing officers?
- to ensure a fair and orderly election
- What should be done if somebody objects to a question after debate has begun?
- they should be called out of order
- Where are the guidelines for elections found?
- in the bylaws
- Do you need recognition from the chair to object to a question?
- no
- What are the five methods of voting?
-
*visual (hand or stand)
*voice (not countable)
*roll call
*secret ballot
*mechanical device - What are four reasons for having parliamentary procedure?
-
*rights of minority
*rule of Majority
*courtesy of everyone
*one thing at a time - If only one person calls for division of the house, is the chair compelled to vote again?
- yes
- What is the purpose of "appeal the decision of the chair"?
- prevents the chair from improperly controlling the action of the body
- What does "viva voca" mean?
- It is Latin for "by the living voice".
- What does "putting the question" mean?
- voting on the motion
- How often may an appeal be debated?
- each member may debate once, except the chair who may start and finish debate
- What is the customary or "standard" order of business?
-
1. opening ceremonies
2. minutes of previous meeting
3. officer reports
4. special features
5. old/unfinished business
6. committee reports
7. new business
8. ceremonies
9. closing ceremonies
10. entertainment, recreation, refreshments - Rules that cannot be suspended are:
-
1. rules which are actually provisions of the organization's charter and constitution
2. parliamentary rules governing notice, quorum, and voting method
3. rules in the by-laws, unless provided for - When is there an exception to an appeal being debated?
-
*when it relates to improper behavior
*priority of business
*pending motion is not debatable - What is the purpose of "to reconsider a motion"?
- to bring back before the assembly a motion which has been previously voted upon
- What is the purpose of "to rescind"?
- cancels a main motion which was passed during the current meeting or at a previous meeting
- What is the purpose of "rise to point of order"?
- call attention to errors made in parliamentary procedure
-
True or False:
To call for "question" automatically terminates discussion. - false
- What does "censured" mean?
- reprimanded
- Does the person that seconds the motion to reconsider need to have been on the prevailing side?
- no
- What does "germane" mean?
- relates to the motion on the floor
- Do you need recognition from the chair before rising to a point of order?
- no
- May rules be suspended by any other means than a two-thirds vote?
- yes, by general consent - chair would ask for general consent; if there were no objections it would pass
- May a motion be reconsidered at the next regular meeting?
- yes, the motion to reconsider can be made on the same day the motion was voted upon or the next meeting
- Why might the bylaws of an organization require a delay of one or two meetings between the time a motion is introduced and the time a vote is taken?
- to think it over
- What is the time limit of when a motion can be rescinded?
- none, but the motion cannot release the organization from something that cannot be undone
- What is the purpose of "rise to parliamentary inquiry"?
- to question whether correct parliamentary procedure is being followed or to ask the proposer of a motion a question about the motion
- Who may move a motion to reconsider?
- only someone from the prevailing (winning) side
- What are the three types of votes for the motion the rescind?
-
*previous notice given - majority vote (those present)
*no notice given - two-thirds vote (those present)
*majority of all members - Do you need recognition before rising to a parliamentary inquiry?
- no
-
True or False:
The motion to rescind is not retroactive. - true
- Do you need recognition to suspend the rule?
- yes
- May you appeal the reply of a chair to a parliamentary inquiry?
- no, it is an opinion
-
What motions may not be reconsidered?
(minimum of 4) -
*adjourn
*suspend the rules
*lay on the table
*take from the table
*reconsider
*raise a question of privilege
*recess
*call for the orders of the day
*rise to a point of order
*rise to parliamentary inquiry
*call for division of the house - How soon can a motion be removed from the table?
- after at least one motion has been transacted or the urgent matter has been dealt with
- What is the purpose of the motion to withdraw?
-
*a time saver
*to aviod discussing a motion that is no longer desirable - What is the purpose of "taking from the table"?
- to bring back to the floor a motion which was previously laid on the table
- The purpose of discussion is...
-
*to ask questions to the person that brought ip the motion
*to persuade the members to vote their way - Does a motion need to be seconded before it can be withdrawn?
- yes, otherwise it would die due to a lack of a second
- What are two reasons for seconding a motion?
-
*the person wants to go on record as supporting the idea
*to assure that the motion gets voted on - Can another item of business be on the floor when "take from the table" is moved?
- no, because if it passed there would be two motions on the floor at once
- When may a motion be seconded without standing?
- small group or informal meeting
- May you move to withdraw a motion that has been amended?
- yes, it is a good way to dump all of it
- When can the presiding officers change?
-
*when no items of business are on the floor
*when the chair wishes to discuss
*when it is embarassing for the chair to preside
*when the chair must leave in a hurry - What happens if the motion to withdraw is objected to?
- requires a majority vote in favor of withdrawing the motion
- What are the six steps in disposing of a motion?
-
1. introduce the motion
2. second the motion
3. state the question
4. discuss the motion
5. vote on the motion
6. announce the results of the vote - What happens to a motion that was not brought back from the table by the end of the following meeting?
- it expires (dropped)
- What is the purpose of "call for the previous question"?
- terminate debate and go directly to a vote
- What is a quorum?
- the number of members necessary at a meeting to decide on matters according to the bylaws
- If "question" has been called out, the chair has three options. What are they?
-
*respond "The chair feels that there has been adequate discussion. We will now proceed to vote."
*ignore the calls
*ask "Is there a motion for previous question?" - Can "call for previous question" be moved on the motion and all of its amendments?
- yes, but you must specify
- After nominations are no longer being introduced, what motion should be moved?
- a motion to close nominations
- What is the purpose of referring to a committee?
- to secure more detailed information
- Another name for "refer to a committee" is?
- to commit
- What can be done to save time when only one nomination for each office is made?
-
1. move that the secretary be authorized to cast a vote for the entire slate of nominees
2. second
3. vote (majority) - What is the purpose of "to suspend the rules"?
- it is in the best interest of the group to temporarily suspend one or more of hte written rules
- What are the two types of committees?
-
*ad hoc
*standing - What are the two ways that committees may be instructed to act?
-
*to gather information
*the power to act - After a committee has reported, it may be acted upon by what motions?
-
*to adopt
*to adopt in part
*to postpone definitely
*to enter in minutes - How many amendments may be on a motion at one time?
- two
-
Rules:
to take from the table -
second
not debatable
not amendable
majority - To when can a motion be postponed definitely?
- the next scheduled meeting or later the same meeting
- What is the purpose of postpone definitely?
- it fixes a definite time for future considerations
-
Rules:
to rescind -
second
debatable
amendable
two-thirds -
Rules:
to call for a division of the house -
no second
not debatable
not amendable
none - member demand -
Rules:
to rise to parliamentary inquiry -
no second
not debatable
not amendable
decided by chair -
Rules:
to reconsider -
second
debatable (if reconsidered motion is debatable)
not amendable
majority -
Rules:
to suspend the rules -
second
not debatable
not amendable
two-thirds -
Rules:
to withdraw a motion -
no second
not debatable
not amendable
majority negative to allow withdrawal -
True or False:
All amendments must relate to the motion they are being attached to and must not change the motion from positive to negative. - true
-
Rules:
to rise to a point of order -
no second
not debatable
not amendable
decided by chair -
Rules:
to object to consideration of a question -
no second
not debatable
not amendable
two-thirds -
Rules:
to appeal from the decision of the chair -
second
debatable (if motion appealed is)
not amendable
majority - What are the four common ways to amend a motion?
-
*insert (middle)
*strike out
*insert and strike out
*add (end) - What are the purposes of postpone indefinitely?
-
*to stop passage of a main motion without letting it come to a vote
*to kill the main motion -
Rules:
to postpone indefinitely -
second
debatable
not amendable
majority - Can a motion that has been postponed indefinitely ever be brought back?
- only as a new motion
-
Rules:
to refer to committee -
second
debatable
amendable
majority -
Rules:
to amend -
second
debatable
amendable
majority -
Rules:
to limit or extend debate -
second
not debatable
amendable
two-thirds -
Rules:
to postpone definitely -
second
debatable
amendable
majority -
Rules:
to adjourn -
second
not debatable
not amendable
majority -
Rules:
to call for the previous question -
second
not debatable
not amendable
two-thirds -
Rules:
to call for the orders of the day -
no second
not debatable
not amendable
automatically sustained unless 2/3 vote against following orders -
Rules:
raise a question of privilege -
no second
not debatable
not amendable
vote is optional (majority); usually decided by chair -
Rules:
to lay on the table -
second
not debatable
not amendable
majority -
Rules:
to recess -
second
not debatable
amendable (time only)
majority -
Rules:
to fix the time to which to adjourn -
second
not debatable
amendable
majority -
Rules:
main -
second
debatable
amendable
majority