PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE


Parliamentary procedure seems difficult the first time. Many students first experience parliamentary procedure when thrust into Student Congress without adequate preparation. Unfortunately, many contestants preparation is limited to a coach handing them a lengthy, complicated parliamentary procedure sheet and a quick "Just watch and you'll figure it out!" It's sorta like watching a baseball games for the first time and no one has explained any of the rules to you...only gave you a copy of the rulebook! Of course you'd be lost! No wonder some students are mixed-up about student congress...they don't understand the rules.

The truth is that parliamentary procedure is a straight-forward, easy method to organize discussion within a group of people. Parliamentary procedure works for groups of three or more (the annual National Education Association Representative Assembly conducts business for four days...with over 9,000 delegates!) Parliamentary procedure can be boiled down to "The Big Five Motions". Learn these five motions and 90%-95% of the action will become clear. The "Big Five Motions" are: to amend, to move the previous question, to lay on the table, to suspend the rules and to call for a point of order (also known as "point of parliamentary procedure").


“The Big Five Method” of Learning Parliamentary Procedure


Motion "To Amend"

Motion is debatable
1/3 Second required
Motion is amendable
Requires a simple majority

Motion "to move the Previous Question"

Second is required
Motion is not debatable
Motion is not amendable
Requires a two-thirds majority

Motion "to Lay on the Table"

Second is required
Motion is not debatable
Motion is not amendable
Requires a simple majority

Motion "to Suspend the Rules"

Second is required
Motion is debatable
Motion is not amendable
Requires a two-thirds majority

Motion for a "Point of Order"or "Point of Parlimentary Procedure"

Second is not required
Motion is not debatable
Motion is not amendable
Requires the Decision of the Chair

EXPLANATIONS OF MOTIONS

To Amend


This simply means to change something in the proposed legislation. Amendment motions either add, delete, or substitute language in the bill or resolution. An example might be to change a “...$5 million...” proposal to a “...$10 million...” proposal. The amendment would sound like this: “I move to amend by substitution. Replace the ‘5’ in the first paragraph with a ‘10’.” This motion requires a “1/3 second.” If 1/3 of the people in the room agree to discuss the amendment, then we begin debating. (Don’t be surprised if the chamber “suspends the rules” to immediately vote on the change...especially if it is a commonsense change.) A simple majority is required to amend legislation.
“Typos” and other errors (such as poor quality photocopying) usually are corrected by the author simply announcing the mistake in his or her authorship speech. If there is no objection, it is immediately corrected without a motion or vote.

Previous Question


This motion asks, “Should we stop talking and start voting?”. It is sometimes explained as “closing debate” or “voting to vote.” This motion requires a “second.” Since debate is key to the entire idea of a “deliberative body,” it is difficult to end debate. A 2/3s vote is required to end debate and move to the actual vote on the legislation (i.e.: the “Main Motion”). If this motion fails, the Presiding Officer (PO) continues looking for a speech. If this motion passes, the PO immediately begins the vote on the proposed legislation.

To Lay on the Table


This motion asks that legislation be set aside for the time being. To lay on the table almost always “kills” the bill or resolution. This motion requires a “second.” The vote requires a majority. In some areas of the nation it is common to table legislation before taking a recess...in others they see this motion as unnecessary to recess.

To Suspend the Rules

Student Congress is unique in that it can, within certain parameters, change the rules of the event. This motion requires a “second” and a 2/3s vote to take effect. “To take action contrary to standing rules” usually means to extend a speaker’s time for additional questions or some other one-time-only event. Some motions to suspend the rules are designed to change a set docket (i.e.: schedule) of legislation so a bill or resolution can move up the list and be considered next.

Rise to a Point of Order or Parliamentary Procedure

This motion allows for any person to interrupt the proceedings if he or she has a question about what is happening and/or whether what is happening is appropriate. This motion does not require a “second.” The PO rules the motion to be “in order” if he or she agrees, or “not in order” if he or she disagrees. Usually this motion will involve procedure problems such as when the PO calls for a negative speech when an affirmative speech is in order.

Additional information can be found at:
National Catholic Forensic League
National Forensic League


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