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Prepared for the use of Mu Phi Epsilon. By Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller Fraternity Parliamentarian 2017 International Convention. A Brief Guide to Parliamentary Procedure. Or…. “How Not to be Stuck in a Business Meeting All Year”. Making MUSIC is more fun than… …making regulations!.
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Prepared for the use ofMu Phi Epsilon By Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller Fraternity Parliamentarian 2017 International Convention
“How Not to be Stuck in a Business Meeting All Year” • Making MUSIC is more fun than… • …making regulations! • Spend more time in chamber music than… • …in legislative chambers!
Who gets to talk? The one person at a time who is recognized and called upon to do so by…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Ever wonder where the word “President” came from?)
If you want to speak on the floor… • Get up and go to a microphone and wait for the Presiding Officer to call upon you. • If speaking for (Pro) a motion on the floor, hold up a green card as you wait • If speaking against (Con) a motion on the floor, hold up a red card as you wait • When recognized, begin by stating your name and the chapter whose delegate you are.
Making a motion (proposing that the assembly take some action) • After being recognized and stating name and chapter, say “Madam President, I move that…” • You then should state your motion in words that say exactly what action you wish to suggest. • “I think we should do something about the high cost of music school tuition” is an opinion, not a motion. • If you want help crafting your proposal, consult the Resolutions Committee. (Allow 24 hours!)
Once a motion has been made It MUST have a second from another voting member (unless it is presented by a recognized committee).
Here’s what can happen with most motions that have no second:
That is… • No explanation • No discussion • No debate • No amendment • NO VOTE
Moral(s) of the story? • Make sure you’ve got a second before you bring up your great idea • Have the second already primed to go at the microphone; it saves time • Conversely, don’t second anything you really don’t want to spend time discussing • Not every idea is worthy of a second
Once a motion has a second… DISCUSSION BEGINS!
DISCUSSION • The maker of the motion may speak first in discussion of the motion but must adhere to normal rules concerning length of speech • Bring colored cards with you to the mic to indicate if you want to speak Pro/For (Green) or Con/Against (Red). The Chair will call upon Pro and Con speakers in alternation • Speakers should try to present NEW points, not merely repeat or agree with those already made • When there is no more discussion, the Chair may call for a vote
While a duly seconded motion is “on the floor” under discussion… • No other agenda item or resolution can be considered • Discussion must be limited to matters that are directly germane to the motion • Only a few other motions can be made or other actions taken. Besides taking a recess, these include: • Withdrawing the motion • Amending the motion • Referring the motion • Moving the previous question
Withdrawing the motion • Only the person or committee who made the motion can withdraw it. • Permission must be requested • “Madam President, I ask permission to withdraw the motion.” • The Chair asks if anyone objects. If no, the motion is withdrawn. If yes, the Chair may request a vote. • If the motion is withdrawn, all discussion of it immediately ceases and the Chair moves on to the next item of business
Amending the motion • Any member of the body who has the floor may offer an amendment of the main motion. • A motion to amend must have a second and can be debated/discussed. • Once seconded, the motion to amend takes precedence and must be discussed and voted upon before the main motion.
Effect of motion to amend on the main motion: Motion to amend fails Motion to amend passes Discussion returns to the main motion--which, however, now reads in its amended form Amended motion still can pass, fail, or be further amended. It is possible for the assembly to vote down a motion even after it has taken the time to vote to amend it • Discussion of the original, unchanged motion continues toward a vote • Original main motion ultimately can pass, fail, or be subject to further (but different) motions to amend
Motion to Refer • A motion to refer a main motion currently before the assembly to a smaller group, such as a committee, to investigate or refine before being returned to the assembly for consideration. • Must be seconded and can be debated. • Debate must be limited to the advisability of referring the motion; discussing the merits of the main motion itself is out of order. • Once seconded, the motion to refer takes precedence and must be discussed/voted upon before any main motion or motion to amend.
Moving the Previous Question • Is a way of limiting debate, usually employed when discussion appears to be getting circular • “Madam President, I move the previous question” • Must have a second • Cannot be discussed or debated • Requires a two-thirds vote (not a mere majority) to pass • If it passes, an immediate vote must be taken on the motion on the floor when it was introduced. If it fails, discussion of that motion continues.
But what if I just have a question? What you want is a Point of Information!
Point of Information • Questions are always asked of, or through, the Presiding Officer. Here’s an example: • Delegate: “Ima Starr, Talent Alumni. Madam President, I rise to a point of information.” • Chair: “The member will state the point.” • Delegate: “The motion calls for a large expenditure. Will the Treasurer state our present bank balance?”
Let’s Try It Out! A Dramatization Featuring the Sterling Stand-in Stage Stars
A motion is made… …and seconded!
Discussion continues, alternating Con and Pro views Note the red and green cards
A delegate moves the Previous Question …in order to try to move the motion to a vote faster. A second is required.
There is no debate—a vote is taken immediately • But the vote is a vote whether to vote on the main motion, not a vote on the motion itself • In this case, the vote fails, even though it received a majority, because a two-thirds majority is required • Consequently, debate on the main motion may continue
A motion to amend the motion …is offered and seconded
Now the motion to amend takes precedence • It must be voted upon before the main motion • It passes with a simple majority • The main motion therefore is amended, and that motion as amended is open for further discussion or a vote • You might notice that the maker of the original motion was not in favor of the amendment, but the majority was, so the motion is amended anyway.