Introduction to Parliamentary Law & Robert’S Rules of order

Sample Six Session Course Outline

Session 1: Foundations of Parliamentary Law

60 minute lecture + optional 30 minute Q&A

  • History of Parliamentary Procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order

  • Purpose and philosophy of parliamentary law (majority rule, minority rights, order)

  • Types of organizations: boards, committees, and assemblies

  • Types of meetings (regular, special, adjourned, annual, conventions)

  • Quorum, order of business/agenda, minutes

  • Role of the chair, secretary, and members

  • Bylaws, special rules of order, the parliamentary authority and state law

Session 2: Main Motions and Basic Debate

60 minute lecture + optional 30 minute Q&A

  • Main motions — the basic unit of business

  • Standard descriptive characteristics

  • Seconding requirements

  • How to obtain and yield the floor

  • Debate and decorum rules

  • Closing debate and taking the vote

  • Small board rules

  • Recording decisions

  • The classification of motions: main, subsidiary, privileged, incidental

  • Understanding precedence (the motion hierarchy)

Session 3: Subsidiary Motions and thier Precedence

60 minute lecture + optional 30 minute Q&A

  • Precedence of subsidiary motions and relationship to the main motion

  • Postpone Indefinitely

  • Amend (primary and secondary amendments)

  • Refer to a Committee

  • Postpone to a Certain Time (Postpone Definitely)

  • Limit or Extend Limits of Debate

  • Previous Question (ending debate)

  • Lay on the Table

Session 4: Privileged and Incidental Motions

60 minute lecture + optional 30 minute Q&A

  • Privileged motions: Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn, Adjourn, Recess, Raise a Question of Privilege, Call for the Orders of the Day

  • Key incidental motions: Point of Order, Appeal, Suspend the Rules, Object to the Consideration of a Question

  • Parliamentary inquiry and requests

  • Handling points of order and appeals

  • Rules for changing previous decisions (Reconsider, Rescind, Amend Something Previously Adopted)

Session 5: Voting, Elections, Officers and Committees

60 minute lecture + optional 30 minute Q&A

  • Voting methods: voice, rising, ballot, roll call, electronic

  • Majority, two-thirds, plurality, unanimous consent

  • Nominations and election procedures

  • Officer duties and reports

  • Vacancies, removal from office, and diciplanary procedure

  • Committees: standing vs. special

  • Committee reports and recommendations

Session 6: Bylaws, Revisions and Practical Matters

60 minute lecture + optional 30 minute Q&A

  • The importance of bylaws and what they should contain

  • Relationship of bylaws to other governing documents

  • Basic bylaw provisions

  • Amending bylaws: notice, vote, and best practices

  • How to chair a meeting (script examples and presiding officer tips)

  • Handling difficult situations (disorder, dilatory motions)

  • Role of the parliamentarian

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