St. Cloud State University theRepository at St. Cloud State Communication Studies Faculty Publications Department of Communication Studies 1-1986 Understanding Parliamentary Procedure Don Sikkink Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/cmst_facpubs Part of the Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons, Organizational Communication Commons, and the Social Influence and Political Communication Commons Recommended Citation Sikkink, Don, "Understanding Parliamentary Procedure" (1986). Communication Studies Faculty Publications. 9. https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/cmst_facpubs/9 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Communication Studies at theRepository at St. Cloud State. It has been accepted for inclusion in Communication Studies Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of theRepository at St. Cloud State. For more information, please contact [email protected]. UNDERSTANDING PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE Don Sikkink St. Cloud, Minnesota January 1986 2 Acknowledgements I want to acknowledge that it was A. R. Christensen's assignment thirty years ago to teach the required course in parliamentary procedure at South Dakota State University that initiated my study of a topic area that has continued to fascinate me. I also wish to note that many of my early ideas in parliamentary practices came from conversations with Wayne Hoogestraat and resulted in a co-authored book called Modern Parliamentary Practices. And of course the students in my classes and workshops deserve thanks. Their puzzlement, their questions and those "wild" practice sessions of "The Society for the Improvement of Just About Everything" or "The Society to Study Great Issues" did much to clarify my own ideas about this decision making system. And a very special thanks goes to Ms. Regis Betts, a remarkable secretary, whose special skill with a new word processing system in our office made this text possible. Without her this book would not have happened! Thanks also go to Lynn Bryce and Arlene Sikkink for proofreading help. And as we all must say -- Thanks to everyone for your help but the mistakes are mine! Don Sikkink St. Cloud, Minnesota 6 As a second approach to studying parliamentary procedures, we would suggest you read rapidly through this text in order to get a general "feel" for the material. Then study the Summary of Rules Chart. Here you find a table listing much of what you need to know about the major motions used in handling business. The Summary of Rules Chart should rest on the podium or table as you preside. When a motion is made, quickly place your finger on the name of that motion and proceed to trace its requirements. Does it need a second? Can it be discussed? Is an amendment in order? After first learning some basic concepts, rules and irinciples, you will be able to use that chart to provide additional information you need. Third, find a way to practice the procedures orally. While a person can learn rules by reading, such rules will be more meaningful if they can be used verbally. Enroll in a course in parliamentary procedure, or join a club where attention to such matters is a regular practice. SUMMARY Millions of our citizens participate in groups which make some use of parliamentary procedure. The early books on parliamentary procedure by Jefferson, Cushing and Roberts were based on the practices of legislative bodies and many of these complex interpretations are difficult for non-legislative groups to understand. Recent books .have simplified such rules to help us realize that a well run meeting is a demonstration of democracy in action. A person studying parliamentary procedure should emphasize intent over language, learn to use a summary of rules chart and find ways to orally practice newly understood concepts. EXERCISES TO WRITE OUT 1 • Make a list of the organizations in which you participate. Which organization makes the best use and which makes the poorest use of parliamentary procedure? List the specific reasons why you think these situations exist. 2. � Read any ten pages of Robert's Rules of Order. What reaction do you have to this book? 3. � From your past experience make a list of five items in parliamentary procedure which most confuse you. Put the most confusing first, second most confusing next, etc. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION l. � What should be the attitude of a person skilled in parlia­ mentary practices towards those who do not understand the exact usage or effect of the parliamentary rules? .