Session techniques

Kursholder, sted, dato

Agenda

» Working plan» Should be made for all meetings» Does not contain a time schedule» In accordance with statutes» Approved at the beginning of the

meeting» Contains ”any other business”

Program

» Contains a time schedule» Used at formal meetings» Approved at the beginning of the

meeting

Standing orders

» Rules for the chair and the assembly

» Adopted after the agenda and program

» Replaces ”normal” session rules» Contains:

– Regulates who can speak, vote etc– Time allotted for speaking/where to speak– Regulates voting sessions

Speakers list

» Should always be kept» In the order the speakers enrolls to

the list» ”To an order” always moves to the

front of the list

Asking for the word

» Contribution– You motion your or

someone else's opinion about a case

» Reply– Short comment. Must be

related to the previous contribution.

» Answer– The speaker who made the

contribution can answer shortly to the replies

To an order

» To the case» To the agenda » To the standing

orders» To the voting

procedure» To end the debate

Ending the debate/discussion

» Make an order to end the debate/discussion» The chair refers the speakers list and any

proposals» The assembly must vote over the

suggestion» You can put your name on the speakers list

during the next contribution» The chair closes the discussion» Only those already on the speakers list can

speak

Ending the discussion implies that:

» None other than those on the speakers list can make a contribution

» Replies are given as normal» You can no longer propose or

withdraw proposals

Report and minutes

» Minutes contain the decisions made by the assembly

» Report contains all/parts/summary of debates and discussions

» Must be approved by the assembly, usually at the next meeting

Statements

» A specific statement from one or more of those who have the right to vote

» Can be:– Explanation of the vote– Comment on a decision– Clarify a disagreement

» Must be handed in in writing and signed

» Attached to the minutes

The chair

» Be calm and objective» Responsible for:

»Agenda»Voting sessions»Progress during the meeting»General order

» To do this the chair must:»Summarize/draw conclusions based on

the discussions»Clarify any ambiguity

Voting rules

Kursholder, sted, dato

Conditions

» You both have the right and an obligation to vote

» All proposals or parts of proposals must be voted upon

Voting order

» The order the proposals are set up so the voting session will be correct

Majority » Common majority » Simple majority» Absolute majority» Qualified majority

– Described in the standing orders – 2/3, 3/4 etc

Common majority» Definition: 50% of the votes + 1 out of

the given votes » Most common type of voting» Abstentions do not count

Simple majority» Definition: one proposal has recieved

more votes than each of the other proposals

» Is normally not used» A minority can in theory decide

Absolute majority» Definition: 50% + 1 out of all the votes

available» Abstentions count

Qualified majority

» Definition: a majority of a certain quantity is needed, i.e. 2/3 majority or 60% majority

» Defined in statutes and standing orders

» Is used on very fundamentally important issues

» The general assembly can with ¾ majority decide to merge StL with another student organization

Example from StLs statues

Grouping the proposals» Divided into groups after content and

consequences» The most extreme is always the

highest amount» Adding or changing something must

always be voted upon before the whole proposal

Grouping the proposals» Postponement» Rejection» All other proposals

Grouping the proposals» Decide the main principles first» Largest consequences» Differs considerably from other

proposals

NB! Be sure to know what the proposal implies. If you are unsure, ask the proposer. Know what you vote

upon!

Alternatives» There must always be an alternative

» FORSLAG 1 ---- ALLE ANDRE ??? Hva betyr dette her?!?

What should the chair say?

“Those in favor of the proposal remains quiet. Those against the proposal show their voting card. And we vote."

If necessary, ask for abstaining votes.

Let’s try it!