The APTA House of Delegates: Democracy in Action The Basics of Parliamentary Procedure Based on Robert

1
The APTA House of DelegatesDemocracy in
ActionThe Basics of Parliamentary Procedure
Based on Roberts Rules of Order, Newly
Revised, 10th Edition

• Stephen M. Levine, PT, DPT, MSHA, RP
• Speaker of the House
• APTA Board of Directors
• Revised, February 2008

2
The APTA House of Delegates A Professional
Democracy

• In a democratic society, rules ensure freedom and
  respect for all
• The APTA House of Delegates (HOD) is analogous to
  other legislative bodies such as Congress or your
  state legislature
• The HOD, formally deliberates policy, has the
  power to charge the Board of Directors to carry
  out activities on behalf of the Association

3
APTA Governance Democracy

• The governance process of our Association is a
  fascinating example of democracy at work
• Allows for the ability for those with differing
  viewpoints to come together, discuss and debate
  an issue, often with passion, in an arena that
  allows for the majority to rule, but which
  requires the rights of the minority be protected.

4
The HOD A Deliberative Assembly

• Operates according to bylaws which can only be
  revised (known as amending) by giving notice
  and by a 2/3 vote of the body
• Must follow Special Rules of Order, Rules of
  Order, and the Parliamentary authority

5
The Parliamentary Authority

• The most commonly used is Roberts Rules of Order
  (Newly Revised), 10th Edition, 2000 (RONR)
• There are several parliamentary authorities
  including Robert, Sturgis, Demeter, and others
• All APTA components (Chapters, Sections, and
  Assemblies) use RONR X

6
Roberts Rules of Order (RONR)

• Purpose
• To enable the overall membership of an
  organization to establish and empower an
  effective leadership as it wishes, and at the
  same time to retain exactly the degree of control
  over its affairs that is chooses to reserve to
  itself.
• RONR (10th ed.) p. XLVII

7
Know the Rules!!

• Sporting events have rules and referees
• Deliberative Assemblies have RONR and
  parliamentarians!
• Knowing the rules gives you knowledge,
  confidence, and power
• When you know how to negotiate the system, making
  an impact is possible
• You can select strategies from the Rules to
  achieve your goals

8
Roberts Rules of Order (RONR)

• Ultimately, it is the majority of delegates in
  the HOD who decide the general will, but only
  following the opportunity for a deliberative
  process of full and free discussion.
• RONR is not concerned with the wisdom of a
  specific decision, but with the process by which
  the group arrives at the decision.

9
Parliamentary Procedure RONR The Basics

• Ranking Motions
• Main Motion
• Subsidiary Motions
• Privileged Motions
• Procedure for Handling a Main Motion
• Process of Amending
• Incidental Motions

• Motions that Bring a Question Again Before the
  Assembly
• Motions Arising out of Committee Reports
• Forms of Voting
• Previous Notice
• Bylaws
• Standing Rules
• Meeting vs. Session

10
RONR Ranking Motions

• Thirteen (13) Ranking Motions
• So named because they have rank and are the only
  ones with rank
• A lower ranking motion may not be made when a
  higher ranking motion is pending
• Pending is the term used when a motion has been
  stated by the chair and is being discussed
• Lowest rank Main Motion
• Highest Rank Fix The Time To Which To Adjourn

11
RONR 13 Ranking Motions

1. Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn
2. Adjourn
3. Recess
4. Raise a Question of Privilege
5. Call for the Orders of the Day
6. Lay on the Table
7. Previous Question
8. Limit or Extend the Limits of Debate
9. Postpone to a Certain Time (Postpone Definitely)
10. Commit or Refer
11. Amend
12. Postpone Indefinitely
13. Main Motion

12
RONR Main MotionRank 13

• Lowest Ranking motion
• Original Main Motion Introduces new business
• Incidental Main Motion Relates to or is
  incidental to business of the assembly, but does
  not mark the beginning of a particular
  involvement of the assembly in a substantive
  matter
• Rescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted
• Adopt recommendations of a committee
• Ratify action taken at a meeting where no quorum
  was present

13
Questions to be Addressed for Main Motions,
Incidental Motions, and Motions that bring a
question again before the assembly

1. Can someone wishing to make this motion interrupt
   someone who already has the floor?
2. Does this motion require a second in order to be
   heard?
3. Is this motion debatable?
4. Is this motion amendable?
5. What kind of vote does it take to pass this
   motion?
6. Can the motion, as passed or failed, be
   reconsidered at a later time?

14
RONR Main MotionRank 13

• In order when another has the floor No
• Requires a Second Yes
• Debatable Yes
• Amendable Yes
• Vote required for adoption Majority
• Exceptions Main motions that require a 2/3 vote
• Motion to adopt or suspend rules of order
• Amend something previously adopted without notice
• Amend bylaws
• Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered Yes

15
RONR Subsidiary Motions

• A subsidiary motion assists the assembly in
  treating or disposing of a main motion and
  sometimes of other motions
• A form of secondary motion

16
RONR Subsidiary MotionsPostpone Indefinitely
Rank 12

• Purpose To kills the main motion and avoid a
  direct vote on the question
• Criteria
• In order when another has the floor No
• Requires a Second Yes
• Debatable Yes
• Debate can go into the merits of the main
  question
• Amendable No
• Vote required for adoption Majority
• Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered Yes
• Only if the vote was in the affirmative

17
RONR Subsidiary MotionsAmendRank 11

• Purpose To modify the wording and (somewhat) the
  meaning of a pending question
• Criteria
• In order when another has the floor No
• Requires a Second Yes
• Debatable Yes
• Only when the question to which it applies is
  debatable
• Amendable Yes
• Unless pending question is a secondary amendment
• Vote required for adoption Majority
• Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered Yes

18
RONR Subsidiary MotionsCommit or Refer Rank 10

• Purpose To send a pending question to a
  relatively small group (Board, Committee, etc.)
  so that the question may be carefully
  investigated and put into better condition for
  the assembly to consider
• Criteria
• In order when another has the floor No
• Requires a Second Yes
• Debatable Yes
• Amendable Yes
• Vote required for adoption Majority
• Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered Yes
• Only if the committee has not begun consideration
  of the question referred

19
RONR Subsidiary MotionsPostpone to a Certain
Time (Postpone Definitely) Rank 9

• Purpose To put off action on a pending question,
  within limits, to a definite day, meeting, or
  hour, or until after a certain event
• Criteria
• In order when another has the floor No
• Requires a Second Yes
• Debatable Yes
• Amendable Yes
• Vote required for adoption Majority
• Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered Yes

20
RONR Subsidiary MotionsLimit or Extend Limits
of Debate Rank 8

• Purpose To exercise special control over debate
  on a pending question or in a series of pending
  questions
• Criteria
• In order when another has the floor No
• Requires a Second Yes
• Debatable No
• Amendable Yes
• Vote required for adoption Two-Thirds (2/3)
• Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered Yes

21
RONR Subsidiary MotionsPrevious Question Rank
7

• Purpose 1) To bring the assembly to an immediate
  vote 2)To close debate, and 3)To stop amendment
  of the immediately pending question and such
  other questions as the motion may specify
• Criteria
• In order when another has the floor No
• Requires a Second Yes
• Debatable No
• Amendable No
• Vote required for adoption Two-Thirds (2/3)
• Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered Yes
• Can be reconsidered before any vote has been
  taken under the order for the previous question

22
RONR Subsidiary MotionsLay on the Table Rank 6

• Purpose To lay the pending question aside
  temporarily when something else of immediate
  urgency has arisen
• Criteria
• In order when another has the floor No
• Requires a Second Yes
• Debatable No
• Amendable No
• Vote required for adoption Majority
• Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered No

23
RONR Privileged Motions

• A privileged motion deals with special matters of
  immediate importance. It does not relate to the
  pending business.
• A form of secondary motion

24
RONR Privileged MotionsCall for the Orders of
the Day Rank 5

• Purpose To require the assembly to conform to
  its agenda, program, or order of business
• Criteria
• In order when another has the floor Yes
• Requires a Second No
• Debatable No
• Amendable No
• Vote required for adoption Demand
• On demand as a request, but a 2/3 vote by the
  assembly can set them aside
• Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered No

25
RONR Privileged MotionsRaise a Question of
Privilege Rank 4

• Purpose To bring up for immediate consideration
  a request or motion relating to the rights and
  privileges of the assembly or any of its members
• Criteria
• In order when another has the floor Yes
• Requires a Second No
• Debatable No
• Amendable No
• Vote required for adoption Chair Rules on
  request
• If motion is required, it is an incidental main
  motion and requires a majority vote
• Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered No

26
RONR Privileged MotionsRecess Rank 3

• Purpose To begin a recess immediately
• Criteria
• In order when another has the floor No
• Requires a Second Yes
• Debatable No
• Amendable Yes
• Vote required for adoption Majority
• Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered No

27
RONR Privileged MotionsAdjourn Rank 2

• Purpose To close the meeting immediately
• Criteria
• In order when another has the floor No
• Requires a Second Yes
• Debatable No
• Amendable No
• Vote required for adoption Majority
• Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered No

28
RONR Privileged MotionsFix the Time to Which to
Adjourn Rank 1

• Purpose To set the time, and sometimes the
  place, for another meeting to continue business
  of the session, with no effect on when the
  present meeting will adjourn
• Criteria
• In order when another has the floor No
• Requires a Second Yes
• Debatable No
• Amendable Yes
• Vote required for adoption Majority
• Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered Yes

29
RONR Incidental Motions

• An incidental motion is related to the
  parliamentary situation in such a way that it
  must be decided before business can proceed.
• A form of secondary motion

30
RONR Incidental MotionsNo Rank

• Appeal
• To challenge a ruling by the chair and have the
  assembly make the final decision
• Division of the Assembly
• Whenever a member doubts the results of a voice
  vote, a Division is used to require the vote to
  be retaken by standing
• Objection to the Consideration of the Question
• To avoid a motion altogether
• Can be raised only before there has been any
  debate or before any subsidiary motion has been
  stated by the chair

31
RONR Incidental MotionsNo Rank

• Point of Information
• A request directed to the chair, or through the
  chair to another officer or member, for
  information relevant to the business at hand but
  not related to parliamentary procedure
• Point of Order
• When a member thinks the rules of the assembly
  are being violated, this is used to call upon the
  chair for a ruling enforcing the rules
• Request for Permission to Withdraw a Motion
• Required after the motion to which it pertains
  has been stated by the chair as pending

32
RONR Motions that Bring a Question Again Before
the Assembly

• Take from the Table
• To bring a tabled motion back before the
  assembly
• Rescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted
• To change an action previously taken or ordered
• Discharge a Committee
• To take a matter out of a committees hands after
  referring it to the committee and before the
  committee has made a final report
• Reconsider
• To bring back for further consideration a motion
  which already has been voted on. The motion must
  be made, but not necessarily taken up, no later
  than the meeting after the one at which the vote
  to be reconsidered was taken.

33
RONR Procedure for Handling a Main Motion

• Obtaining and assigning the floor
• A member rises when no one else has the floor and
  addresses the chair
• The Chair recognizes the member by announcing his
  name or title

34
RONR Procedure for Handling a Main Motion

• How the motion is brought before the assembly
• The member makes the motion
• (I move that..)
• Another member, without needing to rise, seconds
  the motion
• (I second the motion, or second)
• The chair states the question on the motion
• (It is moved and seconded that)

35
RONR Procedure for Handling a Main Motion

• Consideration of the motion
• Members can debate the motion
• Before speaking in debate, members obtain the
  floor
• The maker of the motion has first right to the
  floor if he claims it promptly
• All remarks must be addressed to the chair
• Debate must be confined to the merits of the
  motion
• Debate can be closed only by order of the
  assembly (2/3 vote) or by the chair if no one
  seeks the floor for further debate

36
RONR Procedure for Handling a Main Motion

• Consideration of the motion
• The chair puts the question (puts it to a vote)
• The chair asks Are you ready for the question?
• If no one rises to claim the floor, the chair
  proceeds to put the question
• The chair states
• The question is on the adoption of the motion
  that.
• As many as are in favor, say Aye
• Those opposed say No.
• The chair announces the result of the vote

37
RONR Process of Amending

• The adoption of the motion to amend does not
  adopt the motion thereby amended that motion
  remains pending in its modified form
• A members vote on an amendment does not obligate
  him to vote on a particular way on the motion to
  which the amendment applies
• An amendment must always be germanethat is,
  closely related to or having a bearing on the
  subject of the motion to be amended

38
RONR Process of Amending

• There are three basic processes of amendment, the
  third of which is an indivisible combination of
  the first two
• To insert or add
• To insert words, or if they are placed at the end
  of the sentence or passage being amended, to add
  words (or a paragraph)
• To strike out
• To strike out words or a paragraph
• To strike out and insert, or to substitute
• To strike out and insert applies to words
• To substitute applies to striking out an entire
  paragraph, or the entire text of a main motion,
  and inserting another

39
RONR Forms of Voting

• Voice Vote
• The most commonly used form of voting
• Chair puts the question and calls for the Aye
  votes and No votes
• Rising Vote
• The normal method of voting on motions requiring
  a two-thirds vote for adoption.
• Used to verify a voice vote
• Can be ordered by the chair, or by a single
  member who calls for a Division of the assembly
• Counted Vote
• Can be ordered by the chair or ordered by a
  majority vote of the assembly

40
RONR Previous Notice

• Requirement of previous notice means the
  announcement that the motion will be introduced,
  including its exact content, must be included in
  the call of the meeting
• Motions that have the effect of changing or
  nullifying the previous action of the assembly
  require previous notice if they are to be adopted
  by only a majority vote
• The adoption or amendment of bylaws or special
  rules of order require previous notice and a
  two-thirds vote
• The notice becomes invalid if the motion is
  amended beyond the scope of the notice

41
RONR Bylaws

• Bylaws have an important bearing on the rights
  and duties of members within the organization,
  and on the degree to which the general membership
  is to retain control of, or be relieved of
  detailed concern with, the societys business.
• Except as the rules of a society may provide
  otherwise, its assembly has full and sole power
  to act for the entire organization, and does so
  by majority vote
• Any limitation or standing delegation of the
  assemblys power with respect to the society as a
  whole can only be by provision in the bylaws
• Bylaws should be made no more restrictive nor
  more detailed in specification than necessary

42
RONR Bylaws

• Bylaws and special rules of order (which deal
  with parliamentary procedure) contain the
  provisions of a society that are expected to have
  stability from session to session, and to
  represent the judgment of the whole society as
  distinguished from the members voting at any one
  session
• These bylaws and rules require both
• Previous Notice, and
• Two-Thirds vote for amendment
• Rules of order require a two-thirds vote for
  suspension
• Bylaws cannot be suspended

43
RONR Meeting vs. Session

• Each event of the members being assembled to
  transact business constitutes a separate meeting
• The complete unit of engagement in proceedings by
  the assembly is a session, which consists of of
  one or more connected meetings
• One session cannot tie the hands of the majority
  at any later session

44
RONR Standing Rules

• Standing Rules usually contain both parliamentary
  rules relating to the conduct of business, and
  non-parliamentary rules
• Although Standing Rules can be adopted by a
  majority vote at any session and continues in
  force until it is rescinded or amended, such a
  rule does not interfere materially with the
  freedom of a later session, since it can be
  suspended for the duration of any session (but
  not for longer) by a majority vote
• The effect of Standing Rules expires at the close
  of the session that adopts them

45
Logistics of the House

• Pre-HOD activities are organized to occur while
  onsite, but before the House actually begins, to
  allow delegates from different components to have
  some preliminary discussions on the issues
• Chief/Section/Assembly strategies meetings
• Motion Discussion groups
• Independently scheduled Regional Caucus meetings,
  if desired by delegates
• Once the HOD begins, motions are taken up in the
  order assigned by the Reference Committee
• RC 1-07, RC 2-07, RC 3-07, RC 4-07, etc.

46
Logistics of the House

• The Speaker of the House (Speaker) conducts the
  proceedings of the HOD in accordance with
  Association Bylaws, Standing Rules and our
  parliamentary authority
• The merits of a motion may be discussed as long
  as the deliberative body chooses to discuss it.

47
Logistics of the House

• The Speaker makes an attempt to alternate debate
  between opposing viewpoints so that discussion
  can flow and all views may be heard
• For most motions, a majority vote of those
  present is necessary to adopt a motion (others
  require 2/3)
• If adopted, the motion becomes an Association
  position, policy, guideline, or standard.
• If the motion is defeated, the next order of
  business is taken up and the process begins again

48
Where there is no law, but every man does what
is right in his own eyes, there is the least of
liberty.
..Henry M. Robert

49
(No Transcript)