PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES

ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER

LEE TAPIA, DTM

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL AND PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

Article XIIIRules of Order:

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the final authority on parliamentary procedure insofaras Robert's Rules do not conflict with any provision of these Administrative Bylaws, the Articles ofIncorporation or Bylaws of Toastmasters International, policies and procedures set by the Board ofDirectors of Toastmasters International from time to time, or applicable law, provided that if thedistrict is located in a jurisdiction where Robert’s Rules are not a recognized authority on parliamentaryprocedure, this district may use the recognized authority in the jurisdiction where this district islocated in place of Robert’s Rules.

6 steps of a Motion

1. MAKING A MOTION

2. SECONDING A MOTION

3. THE CHAIR STATES THE MOTION

4. MEMBERS DEBATE THE MOTION

5. PUTTING THE MOTION TO A VOTE

6. COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT

LET’S MAKE A MOTION…

MEMBER MAKES THE MOTION*

ANOTHER MEMBER SECONDS THE MOTION**

THE CHAIR STATES THE MOTION, PLACING IT BEFORE THE COMMITTEE

THE MEMBERS DEBATE THE MOTION

*MUST BE A VOTING MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT COUNCIL

**MUST BE A VOTING MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT COUNCIL

QUORUM

Make sure you know what a quorum is for your meeting:

Executive committee—majority of members District council meetings--one-third of the club

presidents and vice presidents of the district, or their proxies, must be present.

Club—majority of the active membership

NO QUORUM!!

If any business is transacted at a meeting where a quorum is not present, the action taken is deemed valid, provided it is later expressly approved in writing by the affirmative vote.

HOW TO MAKE A MOTION

SEEK RECOGNITION FROM THE CHAIR.

BE PRECISE

ONLY MAKE MOTIONS THAT YOU AGREE WITH

MAKE POSITIVE MOTIONS*

* PUT YOUR MOTION IN WRITING

SECONDING THE MOTION

ANOTHER MEMBER MUST SECOND THE MOTION

IF NO SECOND, PROCESS ENDS

THE PURPOSE OF SECONDING IS TO MAKE SURE AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS WANT TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE

INTERESTING FACTS

NO SECOND NEEDED:

RAISE A QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE

CALL FOR ORDERS OF THE DAY

POINT OF ORDER

THE CHAIR STATES THE MOTION CHAIR STATES THE MOTION, FORMALLY

PLACING IT BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY:

CAN BE READ FROM WRITTEN NOTES

ASK SECRETARY TO RESTATE THE MOTION

ASK THE MEMBER WHO MADE THE MOTION TO RESTATE IT

OWNERSHIP OF THE MOTION

UP UNTIL THE MOTION IS STATED BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY, BELONGS TO MAKER OF THE MOTION.

WHY IS THE OWNERSHIP IMPORTANT?

WITHDRAWING A MOTION

THE OWNER CAN ONLY WITHDRAW BEFORE THE CHAIR STATES.

AFTER IT IS OWNED BY THE GROUP, THE MOTION CAN ONLY BE WITHDRAWN WITH PERMISSION FROM THE GROUP.

INTERESTING FACTS

DO NOT ASK THE PARLIAMENTARIAN ABOUT A RULING!

THE PARLIAMENTARIAN IS AN ADVISER AND THEREFORE MAKES NO FINAL DECISION.

THE CHAIR OF THE MEETING RULES!

MEMBERS DEBATE THE MOTION

MOTION IS PENDING

NOW IS THE TIME TO FIX IT*

DEBATE (Time factor) No member may speak more than two

times on any one motion on any day—each speech is limited to 10 minutes.

*ONE OF THE EASIEST PLACES TO AMEND THE MOTION

PUTTING THE MOTION TO A VOTE

RESTATE THE MOTION

DON’T FORGET THE NO VOTE

THE DECLARATION IS UP TO THE CHAIR

COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT

WHICH SIDE HAS THE VOTE?

WHETHER THE MOTION PASSED OR FAILED

EFFECT THE VOTE

THE NEXT STEP

Let’s practice

MOTION AMEND DEBATE VOTE ANNOUNCE