“It is difficult to find another branch of knowledge where a small amount of study produces such

great results in increased efficiency in a country where the people rule, as in parliamentary law.”

-Henry M. Robert

John Sturk, Internal Vice-President

RHA Parliamentarian

OverviewOverview

Motions are our Friend!Meeting Protocol & Debate: How

We Do ItCast Your Vote: How to Make Your

Voice HeardAttendance Policies: Be Here or Be

Square!Conclusion/Questions

Parli-Pro LingoParli-Pro Lingo

The Question– The current proposal

before the body The Chair

– Whoever is presiding over the meeting, usually Tim

The Floor– The person who has

been recognized and may speak

Germane– Relevant to the

Question

Representative– YOU!!

Quorum– The minimum number

of people needed to conduct Business

AKA: SturkSpeak

Motions Are Our Friend!Motions Are Our Friend! What is a motion?

– Any formal proposal for action by the body.

How do I make a motion?– Obtain the floor, and state “Mr. President, I

move…”– Do not say “I motion…” That’s incorrect!

If you don’t know exactly how to word the motion you want to make, simply ask for assistance when you obtain the floor! We’re happy to help you.

Types of MotionsTypes of Motions

Four Types of Motions– Main– Subsidiary– Incidental– Privileged

Bills are proposals for action, and considered Main Motions

Types of Motions, cont.Types of Motions, cont. Main

– Lowest Rank– Brings a New Topic before the Body– Require a Second & Majority vote (50% + 1)

Subsidiary– Propose action on the Main Motion– Most require a Second & Majority vote– Some require a 2/3 vote

Types of Motions, cont.Types of Motions, cont.

Privileged– When something needs to be taken care of NOW– Most require a Second & Majority vote

Incidental– Miscellaneous– Pointing, Questions, Yellow Fruit, and Court-Speak

Points of Order/Info/Clarify/Pers. Priv., Appeals, Objections, and Parliamentary Inquiry

Motion OrderMotion Order

Introducing the Motion Seconding Questions on the Motion Debate

– NOT ALL MOTIONS ARE DEBATABLE!

Voting

Common RHA MotionsCommon RHA Motions To Amend

– May not interrupt a Speaker, Requires a Second

– Must be worded exactly If you need some assistance, go

ahead and ask! We’re here to help you!

– Refer to Chapter 2 in “Robert’s Rules: The RHA Way” in your binders

Common Motions, cont.Common Motions, cont. Calling the Previous Question

– Obtain the floor, and say “Call the Question” There’s been enough debate Pretty much everyone’s ready to move on If there’s any Objection, debate will continue

Moving the Previous Question– Obtain the floor, and say “I move the Previous

Question” There’s been enough debate At least 2/3 of the people are ready to vote Voting to Vote on the Question

Did your mom ever tell Did your mom ever tell you…you…

Points of Order, Information, Clarification, & Personal Privilege– Order: When the Rules have been breached– Information: Offering a pertinent and germane

fact to the discussion.– Clarification: Clarify something you said that

may sound confusing.– Personal Privilege: Something relating to the

privileges of members, such as room conditions

Meeting Protocol & DebateMeeting Protocol & Debate Pick up the papers from your folder!

– Agenda, Bills, RHA Today, Voting Cards

Start promptlypromptly at 7 PM!

Agenda Items–Roll Call– Intro of Guests–Presentations–Committee Reports–New Business–Reps of the Body

–Officers’ ReportsE-BoardReps to the BodyGeneral Assembly

–Old Business–Discussion–Approval of the Minutes–Roll Call

Protocol & DecorumProtocol & Decorum “Behave, baby! Yeah!”

– Always be respectful of others!Always be respectful of others!– Personal attacks and Cross-Debate will be

gaveled Keep your speeches germane! Avoid using names in debate Two speeches per Question per Day You may only yield the floor to another

representative for a question. – You may NOT give them the floor for debate

purposes!

The Joy of Cards!The Joy of Cards!

If you want to speak in favor…– GREEN CARD

If you want to speak in opposition…– RED CARD

If you agree with the current speaker…– ORANGE CARD

If you are lost or confused…– BLUE CARD– Blue cards are not meant for Points of Info

During Debate of a Question…

Vote, Voting, VotedVote, Voting, Voted

When the Previous Question is ordered, debate is cut off, and Tim will take the vote on the pending Question(s).– Viva Voce: By voice– Division: Raise cards in the air, or stand up– Yeas and Nays: Calling the Roll, or Presenting

Cards Also known as Roll Call vote

Voting, cont.Voting, cont. Tim will almost always call for viva voce.

– If he’s in doubt, or if you disagree with his call, yell out “Division!”

– Tim will direct you to either raise the appropriate card in the air, or ask you to rise from your seat.

If you want to put individual votes on record, you may move for the Yeas and Nays.– Rise, and say “Mr. President, on that I request the

Yeas and Nays.”– You’ll need a second and a majority vote– The vote may NOT be by the Yeas and Nays!

Attendance: Attendance: We want to see your smiling face!We want to see your smiling face!

Must be present for both roll calls to be deemed “present” for the meeting

Absences/Leaving Earlies must be cleared with Secretary Dave Warden (rhasecretary@hotmail.com) or your committee chair.

Two excused absences PER SEMESTER

Penalties will be swift and harsh… BWA HA HA!

What? You What? You weren’tweren’t herehere?!?! 1st Unexcused: E-mail from me. 2nd Unexcused: Letter from me.

– CC’ed to your President and Advisor. 3rd Unexcused: Meeting with me.

– No organization within your hall (like Caucuses) can receive funds until regular attendance is resumed.

4th Unexcused: Suspended voting rights.– You may not offer motions or vote– Must attend 3 consecutive meetings, & have

attendance form signed by me/committee chair.

ResourcesResources ME! John Sturk, IVP

– rha@msu.edu RHA

Constitution/Bylaws Robert’s Rules: The RHA

Way National Assoc. of

Parliamentarians– www.parliamentarians.org

Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 11th Edition

SummarySummary

Motions Meeting Protocol & DebateVotingAttendance Policies

Questions?Questions?