Parliamentary Procedure, A Quick Guide
· Passage of Motions: All procedural decisions except appeals, adjournment of debate, closure of debate, and reconsideration of proposals shall be made by a simple majority of the Delegates present and voting.
· Parliamentary Inquiry: Inquire as to the correct motion - to accomplish a desired result, or raise a point of order
· Point of Information: Generally applies to information desired from the speaker: "I should like to ask the (speaker) a question."
· Point of Order: Infraction of the rules, or improper decorum in speaking. Must be raised immediately after the error is made
· Speeches and Yielding Time: To address the body a delegate must be recognized by the chair (typically this means adding one’s name to the speakers’ list). After speaking a delegate may yield any remaining time to another delegate. However, to yield time the delegate must state to whom they are yielding at the start of the speech.
· Caucus: Suspends all formal session for the designated time. Allows for informal and unstructured debate to take place.
· Modified Caucus: Allows for debate to take place in an organized fashion. The chair will entertain motions to speak and ask questions of other members.
· Closure of Speakers’ List: During the course of debate, the majority of the Delegations may declare the list closed upon the request of the Chair or any delegation. Closure of the speakers’ list requires a simple majority in favor. Two-thirds in favor is required to re-open the speakers’ list. Once the speakers’ list is closed, no new speakers will be added to the list.
· Closure of Debate: Delegation(s) may at any time move for the closure of debate on the item under discussion, whether or not any other Delegation has signified their desire to speak. Permission to speak on the closure of debate shall be accorded only to two speakers opposing the closure, after which the motion shall immediately be put to a vote. If two-thirds of the committee votes in favor of the motion, the Chair shall declare the closure of debate and immediately move to vote on all proposals introduced under this agenda item. The Chair may limit the time allowed to speakers under this rule.
· Divide the Question: Divides a motion or resolution into two or more separate motions (must be able to stand on their own)
· Amend: Inserting or striking out words or paragraphs, or substituting whole paragraphs or resolutions
· Approval of Amendments: Both friendly and unfriendly amendments require the approval of the Director. An amendment is considered friendly if all of the initial sponsors agree to the amendment. Such an amendment is adopted automatically. Only unfriendly amendments are put to the committee for a vote. A motion to open a speakers’ list on the amendment is not mandatory. Once the list expires or closure of the debate on the amendment occurs, a vote on the amendment itself will take place. Once the amendment is adopted or rejected, debate will revert to the previous speakers’ list and resolutions again.
· Approval of Unfriendly Amendments: Unfriendly amendments to a resolution shall be voted on before voting on the resolution as a whole. When two or more amendments are proposed to a resolution concurrently, the committee shall vote on them in the order in which the Chair received them. Two speakers for and two against the proposed amendment shall be required before voting upon the adoption of the amendment. Amendments are substantive procedures and require an adoption by simple majority consent of the members present and voting. After all unfriendly amendments have been voted on, the resolution will be voted upon as a whole.
· Passage of Resolutions: In any committee of the General Assembly, if a vote does not result in a simple majority in favor, the resolution shall be regarded as rejected.