Competition Teams Lesson Plans

Competition Teams Lesson Plans

If you are planning to give a workshop on parliamentary procedure and don't know where to begin, what follows is a lesson in making a main motion. This lesson plan includes page references from ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED, and sections from our video PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE MADE SIMPLE: THE BASICS, and a script that you can give your students to act out. The correct terminology is in the script, but the students have to make up their own debate for each question.

Here are some teaching techniques that I have discovered that work:

1. Teach concepts of motions first, and then finally put then in their proper rank.

2. Each lesson begin with a main motion, and then do something to that motion while it is pending. For example, amend it.

3. Keep the instruction to students simple, short and to the point. Always have a script for them to act out. You can follow the model below. We are currently coming up with script ideas for every motion in Robert's Rules, the scripts will be available later this year.

4. The best way to learn parliamentary procedure is for people to practice it. Everyone should take a turn presiding, making a main motion, and debating it.
LESSON I

HOW TO GET BUSINESS BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY

LESSON OBJECTIVE:

1. to teach how to get business before the assembly; how to make a main motion.
2. to teach how to debate the motion and to take the vote.

[instructions to the teacher: have a student prepared before hand to follow teacher's script. Then have the entire class participate in the actual meeting script.]

SHOW THE VIDEO PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE THE BASICS: "how to get business before the assembly.

The definition of a main motion is a motion whose introduction brings business before the assembly; such a motion can be made while no other motion is pending. RONR p. 97

Before a member makes the motion or the chair accepts the motion, members and presiding officers need to know that a main motion is not in order: (See RONR PP. 108-110)

1. when it conflicts with national, state, or local law; or with the bylaws or rules of the organization. If such a motion is adopted, even if it is unanimous, it is null and void.

Example: If someone made a motion to expand the clubhouse and there are city or state zoning laws agianst it. Then the motion is out of order.

Example: If the school district has rules against having dance on a week night, a motion to have a dance on Tuesday evening is out of order.

2. No motion is in order which presents substantially the same question as a motion previously rejected during the same session; or one that conflicts with a motion previously adopted at any time and still in force unless the members are moving to Rescind the action or Amend it.

Here are two examples:

The members vote down a motion to have a car wash to raise money for the dance fund. If later in the meeting a member moves to have a car wash to raise money for the leadership training series.

In discussion it is made clear that the members do not want to have a car wash to raise money for anything. Then this motion is out of order.

At the next meeting, the motion can be brought up again. This is called renewing the motion.

However, a member who voted on the prevailing side (in this case
the negative) could moved to "reconsider the vote" on the motion to have a car wash.

Example #2. Let's say the club has adopted a motion to give $100 yearly to the local Humane Soceity. If a member makes a motion to give $200 yearly to the Humane Soceity, then that conflicts with what has already been adopted and is out of order unless it is the motion to AMEND SOMETHING PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED. Then it would be in order.

3. A main motion is not in order if it conflicts with or presents substantially the same question as one that has been temporarily disposed of but still within the control of the assembly.

For example: If someone made the motion to pave the parking lot and it was referred to a committee. It would be out of order for someone to make a motion "to put a sealer on the parking lot". The members would need to make the motion "to discharge the committee" and the assembly take up the motion again.

If someone move to lay the motion to pave the parking lot on the table and then moved to put a sealer on the parking lot, that too would be out of order. The proper procedure is to take the motion from the table and reject it and then make the motion to put a sealer on the parking lot.

4. And finally, a motion that proposes action outside the society's object as defined in the bylaws or corporate charter is out of order unless the assembly by a two-thirds vote authorizes its introduction.

Are there any questions about these rules before we proceed with how to make a motion?
WATCH "MAKING A MAIN MOTION" FROM THE VIDEO PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE MADE SIMPLE: THE BASICS ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER pages 31 -52.

1. A member must obtain the floor, and can only do this when:

        a. no one else has the floor,
        b. no other business is being discussed,
        c. and when business of that class is in order.
        d. only one main motion can be pending at a time.

{Illustrates the principles one item at a time}

To do this you must rise and address the presiding officer by saying "Madam Chairman" or "Mr. Chairman" or Madam President" or Mr. President."
{Illustrates impartiality; courtesy}

MEMBER RISE AND ADDRESSES THE CHAIR: Madam Chairman

2. The chairman recognizes the member by "nodding" or by stating the member's name.

"States members name"

Now he has been assigned the floor and can make his motion.

3. He states the motion by saying the phrase "I move to" (not I make a motion) or "I move that" . When making a motion have complete motion of who, what, when, and where. It should be stated in the positive and not the negative.

"I MOVE THAT WE HAVE A PICNIC, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7TH AT THE WEST END PARK PICNIC GROUNDS AT 3PM."

4. After making the motion, sit down. (member sits down)

5. It needs a second. A second means I'm willing to hear it discussed not necessary that I'm in favor of it. To second a motion anyone can call out from where he is seated the words "Second" or "I second it". If the motion does not get a second it can't be discussed.

If no one seconds the motion, the chair can ask "Is there a second?"

6. The chair must formally places the motion before the assembly by stating the motion.

This is the correct phrase:

It is moved and seconded that we have a picnic Saturday, October 7th, at the West End Park Picnic Grounds at 3pm. Is there any discussion?

Another phrase that parliamentarians use is "Are you ready for the question?" If no one gets up to discuss it the chair then immediately takes the vote. I prefer to use the term "Is there any discussion?"

7. Now the members can take turns discussing the motion. The member who made the motion has the first right to speak to the motion and given reasons for the motion.

WATCH "DISCUSSING A MOTION" FROM THE VIDEO PARLIAMENTARY
PROCEDURE MADE SIMPLE: BASICS

8. The member must rise and address the chair and be recognized.

Member rises, the chair states: (Member's name). Member gives reasons for the picnic.

After this member sits down another member can rise and obtain the floor and give reasons for either wanting the picnic or not wanting the picnic. This procedure goes on until everyone has spoken. To help expedite the discussion the chair can ask:

"Is there further discussion?"

or the chair can ask:

"Would anyone like to speak against the motion?"

If a motion is controversial the chair should alternate the debate between the "pros" and "cons". After someone has spoken against the motion the chair can then ask:

"Would anyone like to speak for the motion?"

{Illustrates impartiality of the chair.}

HERE ARE SOME SPECIFIC RULES FOR DEBATE FOUND IN ROBERT'S RULES:

A. A member must obtain the floor and be recognized by the chair before beginning to speak. That means a member mustalways rise and address the chair. That means in a largeassembly you can just start talking while being seated. (courtsey)

B. A member can speak twice to the motion but only the second time after everyone who wishes to speak the first time hasspoken. (justice and equality)

C. Each member can speak for ten minutes each time he speaks unless the assembly has rules that state differently. (equality)

D. Debate must be germane to the motion.

        E. Speakers must address all remarks to the chair.

        F. Speakers must be courteous and never attack other membersor make illusion to the motives of members. In controversialissues keep discussion focused on the ideas not personalities.

        G. Speakers refer to officers by title, and should avoidmentioning other members names as much as possible. (impartiliaty)

H. When speaking to a motion, the member begins his debateby saying "I speak for the motion" and the reasons why, or"I speak against the motion" and the reasons why. (courtesy)

I. The presiding officer either sits down when a member has been assigned the floor to speak, or , if he can't be seen bythe members when seated, stands back from the lectern whenthe member is speaking. (only one item at time = one have the floor at a time.)

J. The member who makes the motion can not speak against hisown motion but can vote against his motion. However, theperson who seconds the motion can speak against the motion.

WATCH "VOTING" FROM THE VIDEO PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE MADE
SIMPLE: THE BASICS

9. If it looks like no one wants to speak any more, the chair takes the vote.

The chair could state:

Is there further discussion? ( look around the room) Hearing none, the motion is to have a picnic Saturday, October 7th, at the West End Park Picnic grounds at 3pm. " All those in favor say, "Aye". those opposed say "no".

Announce the vote and what happens.

If the "ayes" win. The chair states:

"The ayes have it and the motion is carried. We will have a picnic Saturday, October 7th, at the West End Park Picnic grounds at 3pm. The Social committee will make the arrangements."

If the noes have it the chair states:

"The noes have it, and the motion is lost. We won't be having a picnic Saturday, October 7th, at the West End Park Picnic Grounds at 3pm. Is there further business?"

1. The chair must always ask for the no vote even though it seems unanimous.

{Illustrates impartiality}

2. The chair does not ask for abstentions.

3. The chair does not show partiality in the vote by saying, "All those in favor say "aye". Contrary?

4. The chair does not say "All those in favor say "aye". Those opposed same sign".

5. The chair must announce the vote and tell the members what is going to be done or not done.

Are there any questions about this procedure?

Let's see how this works in a meeting.
SCRIPT FOR MAKING A MAIN MOTION (need three members; female presiding officer) (members need to think on feet and come up with reasons why or why not to do something)

LESSON I -- MAKING A MAIN MOTION

The purpose of a main motion is to introduce business to the assembly. It needs a second. It is debatable. It takes a majority vote to adopt. Rules for making motions RONR pp. 31-52; 108 - 111; PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE MADE SIMPLE: THE BASICS

PRESIDENT: Is there any new business?

MEMBER 1: (rises, addresses the chair) Madam President,

PRESIDENT: states member's name

MEMBER 1: I move that we buy an XYZ photo copy machine not to exceed the cost of $700. (sit down)

MEMBER 2: Second.

PRESIDENT: It is moved and seconded that we buy an XYZ photo copy machine not to exceed the cost of $700. Is there any discussion?

MEMBER 1: (rises and addresses the chair) Madam President,

PRESIDENT: state's member's name. (either sits down, or stands back from lectern)

MEMBER 1: give reasons why we need a photo copy machine (sit down)

MEMBER 3: (rises and addresses the chair) Madam President,

PRESIDENT: states member's name. (sits or stands back)

MEMBER 3: gives reasons why to buy one (sits down)

PRESIDENT: Would anyone like to speak against the motion?

MEMBER 2: (rises and addresses the chair) Madam President,

PRESIDENT: states member's name. (Sits down or stands back)

MEMBER 2: gives reasons why against buying a photo copy machine.(sits down)

PRESIDENT: Is there further discussion? (looks around no one rising) Hearing no further discussion, the question is on the adoption of the motion to buy an XYZ photo copy machine not to exceed the cost of $700. All those in favor say "aye". Those opposed say "no". The ayes have it and the motion is carried. We will buy a photo copy machine for $700. The chair appoints ________, _________ , and the Treasurer to purchase it."

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?

If you would like to see scripts on other motions, please e-mail us at drvideo@netdirect.net.

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