PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

Student Activities and Worksheets

OBJECTIVES:

  • Define Parliamentary Procedure and identify the reasons for using it
  • Identify and describe the steps in presenting and disposing of a motion
  • Identify and describe the methods of voting
  • Identify when the presiding officer can vote
  • Classify motions into classes of privileged, incidental, subsidiary, unclassified and main
  • Describe the purpose of the most often used procedures such as: main motion, amend, refer to a committee, point of order, adjourn, lay on the table, nominations and elections, leave to withdraw or modify a motion, reconsider, rescind, recess, object to the consideration of a question, postpone definitely, and other
  • Identify whether certain motions require a second, whether they are debatable and/or amendable, the vote necessary for passage, whether the motion may be reconsidered and/or rescinded, and other significant information

MATERIALS NEEDED:

  • COPY OF ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER
  • Copy of The Parliamentary Procedure Instructional Materials Center (PPIMC) an official licensee of the National FFA Organization for advisors and members
  • Videos available on subject (see list of websites and references)
  • Background information to better understand the need to follow “order” to conduct a meeting (example given)
  • Worksheets from textbooks/workbook examples, teacher prepared worksheets, etc.(examples given)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

  • What is Parliamentary Procedure: It is a set of rules for conducting a meeting that allows everyone to be heard and operates under four basic principles:

Justice and courtesy for all

One thing at a time

The rule of the majority

The right of the minority

Parliamentary Procedure provides the group with a structured, logical, consistent format under which to make decisions and therefore should be used to help groups achieve their goals and objectives through a democratic process.

Why is parliamentary Procedure Important?

It is important that every group has certain basic operating rules. Parliamentary Procedure is a time tested method that insures the smooth functioning of business at meetings and public gatherings, and it can be adapted to fit the needs of any organization.

REFERENCES/WEBSITES*

ROBERTS RULES

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (Introduction to Robert’s Rules of Order)

FUN ACTIVITIES TO TEACH PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

ROBERT’S RULES – PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE WEBSITES

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PARLIAMENTARIANS

PARLI-PRO A FUN GUIDE FOR LEARNING PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

SEARCHES RELATED TO SITE TO TEACH PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE:

Teaching parliamentary procedure high school

Fun ways to teach parliamentary procedure

Learning parliamentary procedure

Lesson plans parliamentary procedure

*Websites under this topic are unlimited. It is suggested that you choose activities/worksheets/reference materials that are easily read and understood by high school students.

SAMPLE ACTIVITY WORKSHEET:*

TERMS USED AT MEETINGS

The following terms are often used in meetings. Match each terms with its description by writing the correct letter in the blank.

_____1. To end a meetingA. parliamentary

procedure

_____2. A list of things to be done and discussed at a meetingB. bylaws

C. minutes

_____3. To change the wording of a motion that has been madeD. aye

E. quorum

_____4. The presiding officer at a meeting, such as the president,F. adjourn

or chairperson.G. chair

H. debate

_____5. To speak for or against a motionI. amend the motion

J. table the motion

_____6. At least one more than half of the members presentK. second the motion

at the meeting.L. the floor

M. majority

_____7. A written record of the business covered at a meetingN. standing committee

O. agenda

_____8. The rules of an organizationP. motion

_____9. An orderly way of conducting a business meeting that helps groups conduct meetings

in an efficient and fair manner

_____10. A suggestion by a member that certain action be taken by the group

_____11. The number of members who must be present to legally conduct business at a meeting

_____12. The approval of a motion by another member

_____13. To delay making a decision on a motion

_____14. The right to speak in a meeting without interruption from others

_____15. The formal term for yes

_____16. Permanent committees of the group

*School to Work textbook, Chapter 11, Parliamentary Procedure, Goodheart-Wilcox

Student Activity Workbook

KEY TERMS USED AT MEETINGS

1. E9. A

2. D10. P

3. I11. E

4. G12. K

5. H13. J

6. M14. L

7. C15. D

8. B16. N

UNSCRAMBLE THE ORDER OF A BUSINESS MEETING:

_____Diane, chairperson of the banquet committee, gives her report

_____A motion to hold a bake sale, which was tabled from the last meeting, is discussed.

_____Devin announces that the paper drive will continue for another week and club members should bring papers in on Friday

_____Paige, the president, calls the meeting to order

_____Brianna, the program chairperson, introduces the guest speaker

_____After a motion and a second motion, Lauren declares the meeting adjourned

_____Kyle, the secretary, reads the minutes of the previous meeting

_____An idea for a club picnic is brought up

_____Cindy, the treasurer, gives her report

_____Quinton, chairperson of the membership committee, gives his report.

KEY ORDER OF BUSINESS

5

6

9

1

8

10

2

7

3

4

OTHER SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:

Role playing: “Parliamentary Procedure – Mock Meeting”

Select five volunteers to conduct an unstructured meeting.

Have students meet with the local chapter of FFA and observe them as they conduct a meeting following strict Parliamentary Procedures.

View videos available from Business Professionals of America, Future Business Leaders of America and Future Farmers of America of groups that have competed in regional, state and national contests.

HAVE STUDENTS PREPARE A SAMPLE AGENDA # 1

HAVE STUDENTS PREPARE MINUTES OF A BUSINESS MEETING #2

SAMPLE #1

AGENDA

CITY OF ______PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

25TH OF JANUARY 20___, 7:00 P.M.

MAIN STREET EVENTS CENTER

  1. Call to Order
  1. Reading and Approval of Minutes
  1. Reports of Officers
  1. Standing Committee Reports
  1. Special Committee
  1. Unfinished business
  1. New Business, Announcements
  1. Adjournment

SAMPLE #2

Minutes

Regular Meeting of Board of Directors

January 5, 20______

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of First National Bank was called to order at 3101 N. Main, ______TX, at 10 a.m. pursuant to the notice sent to all Directors in accordance with the bylaws.

The following directors were present, constituting all the directors: William S. Adams,

Paul P. Jefferson, Connie M. Marcum and Billye R. Burns.

Thomas S. Jacobs, Chairman, presided and Pamela Gonzalez, Assistant Secretary, recorded the proceedings of the meeting.

The minutes of the last meeting were approved.

Mrs. Matuke introduced James Holliman, Executive Vice President of Operations, who reported on December operations. Although sales were satisfactory, future prospects looked good. Aaron Marallo reviewed the recommendations for building a new facility or renovating the existing facility to accommodate the corporation’s information processing needs over the next ten years.

The next meeting of the Board will be held on February 8, 20 ____, at 10 a.m.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m.

______

Secretary