Post date: Nov 24, 2017 8:43:28 PM
Point of Order Parliamentary Law Unit - 2017-11-25 - Educational Program
Outline - Resolutions
1. Reasons to use the Resolution format
2. Parts and form of a Resolution
3. When to use and not to use a Preamble
4. How to process a Resolution
5. A Courtesy Resolution
6. A New Year's Resolution
1. Reasons to use the Resolution format
Resolution 1 - on Using Resolutions
Whereas, Important, complex, lengthy and formal motions often should be in the form of a Resolution (RONR p. 33, 105);
Whereas, A Resolution can express an opinion or position of an organization and become part of a political platform (RONR p. 105);
Whereas, A Courtesy Resolution can express appreciation for contributions others have made to an organization (RONR p. 637);
Whereas, A Resolution should be prepared in advance and put into writing (RONR p. 33, 105); and
Whereas, It is often helpful in preparing a Resolution "to consult with members who can be of assistance in perfecting it, and also with those whose support is likely to be necessary for its adoption" (RONR p. 105); therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Point of Order Parliamentary Law Unit shall learn the appropriate use and form of Resolutions per Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised;
Resolved, That the Unit shall promote the proper use and form of Resolutions; and
Resolved, That the Unit shall learn inappropriate forms and uses of Resolutions and how to avoid and rectify them.
Another reason for using the resolution format with a preamble is to get "debate" (reasons for the motion) into the minutes.
2. Parts and form of a Resolution
Preamble: The Whereas clauses. Optional.
Resolution Part: The Resolved clauses.
("Resolution" could refer to the whole including the Preamble, or just the Resolved clauses; to avoid confusion, I recommend using "Resolution Part" or the "Resolved Clauses" to refer to that part, and use "Resolution" or "the whole Resolution" or "the Resolution on <title/subject>" to refer to the whole.)
Form: As shown in example above.
A. Only one sentence-ending period, at the end of the whole resolution; all other (Whereas, Resolved) clauses end with a semicolon, optionally adding "and" after the ";" on the next to last Whereas and Resolved clauses, and optionally adding "therefore" or "therefore, be it" or "now, therefore, be it" at the end of the last Whereas clause.
B. "Whereas" and "Resolved" start new lines, begin with a capital letter, are followed with a comma, and the word after each has its initial letter capitalized.
C. "Resolved" is italicized. RONR is silent on bolding.
D. The first Resolved clause should have the organization's name to make clear who is doing the resolving.
3. When to use and not to use a Preamble
A. "It is usually inadvisable to attempt to include reasons for a motion's adoption with the motion itself. To do so may encumber the motion and may weigh against its adoption--since some members who approve of the action it proposes may dislike voting for it if it states reasons with which they disagree" (RONR pp. 106-107).
B. A preamble "should not be used for sake of form" (RONR p. 107).
C. Use of "a preamble should be limited to cases where it provides little-known information without which the point or the merits of a resolution are likely to be poorly understood, where unusual importance is attached to making certain reasons for an action a matter of record" (RONR p. 107).
D. A "preamble generally should contain no more clauses than are strictly necessary" (RONR p. 107).
If a Resolution is proposed which has a Preamble, and you think that some or all of the reasoning is wrong, or that something should otherwise not be in a preamble, you can move to strike out those parts.
4. How to process a Resolution
1. "I move the adoption of the following resolution: Resolved, That we have a New Year's Eve party on December 31 at McDougal's Restaurant." [p. 33]
2. "I move the adoption of the resolution opposing the increase in street parking rates, which I have delivered to the Secretary."
3. "I move the adoption of Resolution number 3."
"In moving the adoption of a resolution, the preamble is not usually mentioned, since it is included in the resolution" (p. 108)., as in the 2nd and 3rd example above.
When lengthy or complex: "I move to consider the resolution by paragraph (or, seriatim)." [RONR p.71 #6]
Chair: It is moved and seconded to adopt Resolution #3. Is there any objection to considering the resolution by paragraph? (pause) Hearing no objection, we will consider the resolution by paragraph, beginning with the Resolved clauses.
Is there any debate on the first Resolved clause? (pause)
Hearing none, is there any debate on the second Resolved clause? ...
Even without seriatim, the Resolved clauses are considered before Whereas clauses, because any changes to the Resolved clauses may require changes to the Whereas clauses. [RONR p. 108]
"When the Previous Question is ordered on the resolution before the preamble has been considered for amendment..., the Previous Question does not apply to the preamble" (p. 108).
5. A Courtesy Resolution
Whereas, The Washington State Association of Parliamentarians (WSAP) has had the privilege of meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott Seattle/SeaTac, in Tukwila, Washington, for its 2016 Annual Meeting; and
Whereas, The 2016 WSAP Annual meeting reflects the time and effort that Annual Meeting Arrangements Chair Kay Bradley Kampsen has given to organizing the details of the meeting, including finding a new location on short notice when the original planned location became unavailable; and
Whereas, Kelly Murray, Sales Manager for the Courtyard by Marriott Seattle/SeaTac, has provided excellent support for the meeting; and
Whereas, WSAP President Matt Schafer, PRP, has demonstrated excellent presiding skills in guiding the assembly through its business, including consideration of revisions to all WSAP governing documents; and
Whereas, Bylaws and Resolutions Committee Chair Weldon Merritt, PRP, and members John Berg, PRP; John Strander; and Matt Schafer, PRP, prepared and presented a comprehensive and well-drafted set of governing document revisions for consideration by the assembly; and
Whereas, WSAP Vice President K. Ann McCartney, PRP, as Chair of the Education and Public Relations Committee, planned and coordinated a stimulating educational program; and
Whereas, Ann Macfarlane, PRP, presented an excellent educational workshop entitled, "Say What?! Recognizing and Responding to Six Types of Unacceptable Remark under Robert’s Rules of Order"; and
Whereas, District Seven Director Kevin Connelly, PRP, ably represented NAP and updated us on NAP events and activities;
Resolved, That WSAP sincerely thanks all of the aforementioned persons and organizations for their help in making the 2016 Annual Meeting a success; and
Resolved, That the WSAP Secretary provide each of the aforementioned persons and organizations with a copy of this resolution as a record of our appreciation.
Adopted April 23, 2016
6. A New Year's Resolution
Whereas, I really am overweight;
Whereas, Most of my clothes don't fit anymore; and
Whereas, Losing weight would improve my prospects for better health; therefore, be it
Resolved, I, Paul McClintock, will eat less and exercise more until I lose 20 pounds and keep it off for 2 months.