Members should understand the basic procedures by which meetings are conducted and be able to introduce, debate, and vote on business in a meeting.
What should members of any organization know about parliamentary procedure? What should they be able to do?
Member education is directed at ordinary members of a voluntary society and should cover all aspects of parliamentary procedure needed to participate fully in meetings of an assembly or a committee.
A member should know:
The role of the presiding officer and the secretary in a meeting.
Basic rights of members to attend meetings, make motions, speak in debate, and vote.
That action may not be taken without a quorum.
The standard order of business.
How an agenda is adopted.
How a meeting adjourns or takes a recess.
How to obtain recognition.
The six steps for processing a motion.
The rules of decorum in debate, including germaneness.
The length and number of speeches permitted in debate.
Standard vote requirements to adopt a motion.
How action may be taken by unanimous consent.
A member should be able to:
Move an amendment to an agenda.
Draft and move a main motion that is clear and concise.
Discuss a pending motion while observing normal rules of debate.
Vote on a pending motion by voice, show of hands, or ballot.
Members should have the knowledge and skills to use common motions during a meeting.
A member should know:
The purpose and effect of the following motions: amend, refer, postpone, limit and extend limits of debate, previous question, request for information, reconsider, and rescind and amend something previously adopted.
Common forms of amendment, including the motions to add, to insert, to strike out, and to strike out and insert words.
The distinction between primary and secondary amendments.
The distinction between standing and special committees.
Common methods of appointing or electing committees.
Basic committee procedure, including the role of the chairman, rules of debate in committees, and the manner in which a committee reports.
Limitations on renewing a motion at the same meeting.
The purpose and effect of giving previous notice of a motion.
A member should be able to:
Draft a primary amendment that is germane to a main motion.
Move, in proper form, the motions to amend, refer, postpone, limit and extend limits of debate, previous question, request for information, reconsider, and rescind or amend something previously adopted.
State, for each motions listed above, whether it is debatable and the vote required for its adoption.
Given two ranking motions from those listed above, determine which takes precedence over the other.
Present a committee report containing a recommendation.
Members should know how to read the rules of the organization and be able to demand enforcement of those rules.
A member should know:
The role of bylaws and other custom rules, the role of the parliamentary authority, and the distinction between them.
The vote needed to adopt or amend bylaws, special rules of order, and standing rules.
The standard organization of bylaws.
The role of bylaw provisions in nominations and elections.
A member should be able to
Raise a parliamentary inquiry.
Raise a point of order.
Appeal a decision of the chair.