Parliamentary Procedure Study Guide
See how many you can answer. If you are unsure, leave it blank.

Things Members Say and Do

  1. To bring new business or propose an action, say “I______that we…”
  2. To show you support a motion that someone just made, say “I ______the motion.”
  3. To change the current motion, say“I move to ______the motion by…”
  4. To send something to a committee, say “I move we ______this to the … committee.”
  5. To suggest we take it up at a later time, say“I move that we ______until …”
  6. To drop a motion without actually voting on it, say “I move we postpone ______.”
  7. To end discussion, say “I move the ______”
  8. To end the meeting, say “I move to ______.”
  9. What do you do when you wish to speak?

Things the Chair Says and Does

  1. When a motion is moved and seconded, say “It has been ______and ______that we <restate the motion>. Any ______?”
  2. To take a vote, say “All those ______, say _____. Those opposed, say _____.”
  3. To announce a yes vote, say “The ‘ayes’ have it, the motion ______.”
  4. To announce a no vote, say “The ‘noes’ have it, the motion ______.”
  5. When you believe there is unanimous consent on a motion, say “Are there any ______? Hearing none, the motion ______.”
  6. How do you handle a “friendly amendment”?
  7. How do you handle a “motion to withdraw”?
  8. The gavel is:
    To attract attention and call members to order.
    To maintain or restore order.
    To be passed ceremoniously to successors.
    NOT a magic wand, crown, or crystal ball.(This line is borrowed from Bob Harris, CAE)

Procedures

  1. Which of these are the chair’s responsibilities?
    Remain impartial and encourage discussion
    Provide and follow a written agenda.
    Call on members who wish to speak.
    Decide when a motion is in order (appropriate at that moment)
    Restate motions and ask for discussion.
    Take votes and announce results.
    Vote when their vote will affect the outcome. (Create or break a tie)
    Review the meeting minutes to ensure motions are recorded correctly.
  2. What can be done differently in a small group (about 12 or fewer)?
    Chair can introduce and speak on motions
    Members may speak on an issue as many times as they like.
    Chair can suggest procedural motions (refer, amend, postpone)
    Chair can vote every time

Definitions & Misc.

  1. Should committees have an odd or even number? Why?
  2. What does a tie vote mean?
  3. Match the following terms to their definitions:

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Quorum ●

Ex-Officio●

Executive Session ●

Minutes ●

Table a motion ●

● To keep proceedings secret. Use sparingly.

● The # needed to conduct business, usually more than half.

● Members of a committee ‘by virtue of their office.’

● For a brief delay during the same meeting.

● Arecord of action taken, not a transcript of discussion.

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OBAR Basic Meeting Agenda

  1. Call to Order & ______
  2. Approve ______
  3. Approve Previous Meeting ______
  4. ______(from Chair, Officers, Staff)
  5. ______Business
  6. New ______
  7. Announcements
  8. ______

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