Council Process and Council Process and Resolution ReviewResolution Review

Hints and HelpersHints and HelpersGarnet PattersonGarnet Patterson

February 15, 2012February 15, 2012

Points to RememberPoints to Remember

Policy or Action?Policy or Action? Issues of Curriculum, Working Issues of Curriculum, Working

Conditions, Government, Professional Conditions, Government, Professional DevelopmentDevelopment

Written from a “Union” point of viewWritten from a “Union” point of view Avoid duplication of current policyAvoid duplication of current policy TimelyTimely

Avoid TheseAvoid These

Common PitfallsCommon Pitfalls Lacks ClarityLacks Clarity Too LongToo Long Not EnforceableNot Enforceable More Than One IdeaMore Than One Idea DiscriminatoryDiscriminatory

Clarity PointersClarity Pointers

Try to Try to HaveHave 25 25 wordswords or less per sentence or less per sentence 12 words or less per punctuated clause12 words or less per punctuated clause 75 words or less per paragraph75 words or less per paragraph 200 syllables or less per 100 words200 syllables or less per 100 words

In general, briefs should not exceed 100 In general, briefs should not exceed 100 words.words.

General Wording NotesGeneral Wording Notes

Two or more thoughts in a single Two or more thoughts in a single resolution shall be avoidedresolution shall be avoided

The use of definitive words shall be The use of definitive words shall be avoided (use “seek to” instead of avoided (use “seek to” instead of “shall”)“shall”)

Use of the term “lobby” is Use of the term “lobby” is discouraged (use “urge”, “ask”, discouraged (use “urge”, “ask”, “exert pressure” or “call upon”)“exert pressure” or “call upon”)

Brief NotesBrief Notes

Briefs should follow the CPCT Rule Briefs should follow the CPCT Rule (Clear, Positive, Concise, Timely)(Clear, Positive, Concise, Timely)

The intent of the resolution must be The intent of the resolution must be explained in the briefexplained in the brief

Save some of your arguments for Save some of your arguments for Council FloorCouncil Floor

Words to RememberWords to Remember

Verb, Adjective and Adverb List

Register Review Reports Authorize Record AddressAdvises Essential Discuss Alert Necessary Serves

Notice Alter Request Proposes Imperative Chronicle Urge

(Strongly)Exact Mandatory File Call Upon Implicate ObligatoryList Press Account Required Note Exert

PressureCommit Vital Document Insist Impose CompulsoryConfer Invite Meet Fix Demand

Communicate Ask Need Examine Informs Prescribe

Group TasksGroup Tasks

Task 1 - Draft Resolution – whole groupTask 1 - Draft Resolution – whole group Task 2 - Background Paper – whole Task 2 - Background Paper – whole

group (see course syllabus for more group (see course syllabus for more details)details)

Task 3 – Resolution Analysis – Task 3 – Resolution Analysis – individual (Summary of arguments in individual (Summary of arguments in favour and opposed to one other favour and opposed to one other resolution being presented + resolution being presented + recommendation)recommendation)

Council ProcessCouncil Process Order of Resolution Presentation will be Order of Resolution Presentation will be

posted after a random drawposted after a random draw Resolutions and briefs will be projected on Resolutions and briefs will be projected on

the screen prior to and during debatethe screen prior to and during debate The sponsoring Local will introduce the The sponsoring Local will introduce the

resolution and have the right to be the resolution and have the right to be the first speaker.first speaker.

Individuals from other Locals may then Individuals from other Locals may then speak in turn to debate the resolution on speak in turn to debate the resolution on the floor.the floor.

Council Process (Continued)Council Process (Continued) No speaker may address the same No speaker may address the same

resolution twice during debate, unless resolution twice during debate, unless it is to answer a specific question from it is to answer a specific question from the floor (with one exception).the floor (with one exception).

The sponsoring Local and the original The sponsoring Local and the original speaker have the right to speak last speaker have the right to speak last and close the debateand close the debate

The Chair will then ask if the House is The Chair will then ask if the House is ready for the question. Members ready for the question. Members respond “Question”.respond “Question”.

Council Process (Continued)Council Process (Continued) The Chair calls the vote. Members The Chair calls the vote. Members

vote by raising their Voting Cards. vote by raising their Voting Cards. The Chair decides the outcome.The Chair decides the outcome.

A member who disagrees with the A member who disagrees with the Chair’s call of the vote may call Chair’s call of the vote may call “Division”. Delegates will be asked “Division”. Delegates will be asked to re-vote with an official count being to re-vote with an official count being taken.taken.

AmendmentsAmendments

Any member may move an amendment to Any member may move an amendment to the wording of a resolution. An amendment the wording of a resolution. An amendment must be seconded by another delegate.must be seconded by another delegate.

The Chair will decide if an amendment is in The Chair will decide if an amendment is in order. Amendments may be ruled out of order. Amendments may be ruled out of order if they change the intent of the order if they change the intent of the original resolution.original resolution.

The Chair may determine that the The Chair may determine that the amendment is “friendly” in which case it is amendment is “friendly” in which case it is immediately made with no vote.immediately made with no vote.

Amendments (Continued)Amendments (Continued) Debate then focuses on the amendment. Debate then focuses on the amendment.

Rules for speaking to the amendment are Rules for speaking to the amendment are the same as for the resolutionthe same as for the resolution

Any speaker may address the amendment Any speaker may address the amendment and the original resolution once each.and the original resolution once each.

Observers may take part in the debate Observers may take part in the debate after asking permission of the Chair. All after asking permission of the Chair. All rules for speaking apply. rules for speaking apply.

Speaking ProcessSpeaking Process Two numbered microphones will be placed Two numbered microphones will be placed

on the Council floor.on the Council floor. Speakers obtain the floor when the Chair Speakers obtain the floor when the Chair

identifies the number of the microphone at identifies the number of the microphone at which a speaker is standing.which a speaker is standing.

Before addressing the resolution or Before addressing the resolution or amendment, speakers must identify amendment, speakers must identify themselves and their Local.themselves and their Local.

It is recommended that speakers preface It is recommended that speakers preface their remarks by stating whether they are in their remarks by stating whether they are in favour or opposed to the favour or opposed to the resolution/amendment.resolution/amendment.

Speaking ProcessSpeaking Process All remarks are directed to the Chair.All remarks are directed to the Chair. Speakers refrain from directing comments Speakers refrain from directing comments

to other council members or identifying to other council members or identifying previous speakers by name. previous speakers by name.

Speakers should also refrain from repeating Speakers should also refrain from repeating arguments which have been presented on arguments which have been presented on the floor previously. The Chair will remind the floor previously. The Chair will remind delegates that only new information should delegates that only new information should be brought forward by successive speakers.be brought forward by successive speakers.

Avoid rhetorical questions!Avoid rhetorical questions!

Additional Motions and Additional Motions and PointsPoints

Motion to tableMotion to table – This motion ends debate on – This motion ends debate on a resolution either for a specific period of time a resolution either for a specific period of time or indefinitely. It is used to delay or eliminate or indefinitely. It is used to delay or eliminate any action on a resolution. Not debatable any action on a resolution. Not debatable except with reference to timeexcept with reference to time

Motion to referMotion to refer – This motion sends a – This motion sends a resolution to another group for further study resolution to another group for further study and effectively ends the debate. Debatable.and effectively ends the debate. Debatable.

Point of OrderPoint of Order – question of general procedure – question of general procedure Parliamentary InquiryParliamentary Inquiry – question of procedure – question of procedure

concerning resolution on the floorconcerning resolution on the floor

Final Questions?Final Questions?

Call, email, or drop in!Call, email, or drop in!