Parliamentary Procedure ______________________________

Quick Reference Guide

• Nominations
• Elections
• Motions
• Calling the Question
• Voting Procedures
• Adjournment
• Helpful Hints

Nominations

Week 1

• Start with, "I am opening the floor for nominations for _____ Hall Council"
• Obtain nominations, which do not have to be seconded or accepted
• Once nominations s#top, ask: "Are there any more nominations?" "Are there any more nominations?" "Are there any more nominations?"
• You cannot be interrupted during this three question phase. If you are, you must start over until you are able to ask the question "Are there any more nominations?" three times uninterrupted.
• You may then move on so that all other open positions have nominations.
  

Week 2

• All previously nominated people are asked if they accept the nominations.
• The same process from Week 1 is completed.
• Once nominations are closed for a particular position, the group moves to the parliamentary procedures for elections.

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Elections

• Each candidate gets a pre-determined (usually 5 minutes) to give a speech, which is followed by another pre-determined time (usually 3 minutes) for question and answer. Time can be extended.
• After the candidates for each position speak and answer all questions, ballots are given out to voting members.
• Ballots are then collected, counted and the results are reported to the organization

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Motions

Motions are required for any action that requires a vote or consent of all members (other than elections). The process of making a motion is 4 steps.

• Be recognized by the chair of the meeting, then state the motion by "I move to__________
• A second is required from another member of the organization. This can be accomplished by voice, raising a hand, or placard and stating "I second." or "I second the motion."
• The chair will ask if there is any discussion regarding the motion
• If there is no discussion, or once the question has been called, the chair will facilitate the vote.

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Calling the Question

A call to question is the way to end the discussion regarding the motion on the floor and move to taking a vote on that motion. This should be done to speed up the process of passing motions. It is usually used when it seems that discussion is coming to a close. Chair must ask if anyone objects to calling the question. If yes, proceed back to discussion. If no, proceed to vote.

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Voting Procedures

• The chair recognizes that the question has been called by stating, "The question has been called and we are now voting on________."
• If no request is made for secret ballots, a hand or voice vote may be taken. This is accomplished by the chair asking for all those in favor to raise a hand/voice, followed by those who oppose the motion, and finally for those people who abstain from the vote.
• Once the vote has been taken, the chair states "The motion for ______ has passed/failed."

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Adjournment

• The chair asks for a motion to adjourn
• A motion is made and seconded
• A vote is taken of all those who favor, oppose or abstain
• The chair then calls the meeting to a close by stating, "I call the meeting closed."

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Helpful Hints

• Only one person should have the floor at a time
• Only one motion should be on the floor at a time
• Every motion must have a second
• You may not second your own motion

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