stephen m. levine, pt, dpt, msha, rp speaker of the house apta board of directors

The APTA House of Delegates:Democracy in Action

The Basics of Parliamentary Procedure

Based on Robert’s Rules of Order,

Newly Revised, 10th Edition

Stephen M. Levine, PT, DPT, MSHA, RPSpeaker of the House

APTA Board of Directors

Revised, February 2008

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

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.

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

The Parliamentary Authority The most commonly used is

Robert’s 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

Robert’s 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

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

Robert’s 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.

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

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

RONR: 13 Ranking Motions

1. Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn2. Adjourn3. Recess4. Raise a Question of Privilege5. Call for the Orders of the Day6. Lay on the Table7. Previous Question8. Limit or Extend the Limits of Debate9. Postpone to a Certain Time (Postpone Definitely)10. Commit or Refer11. Amend12. Postpone Indefinitely13. Main Motion

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

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?

RONR: Main MotionRank = 13

1. In order when another has the floor: No

2. Requires a Second: Yes

3. Debatable: Yes

4. Amendable: Yes

5. 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

6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes

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

RONR: Subsidiary MotionsPostpone Indefinitely

Rank: 12

Purpose: To kills the main motion and avoid a direct vote on the question

Criteria:



3. Debatable: Yes Debate can go into the merits of the main

question4. Amendable: No


6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes Only if the vote was in the affirmative

RONR: Subsidiary MotionsAmendRank: 11

Purpose: To modify the wording and (somewhat) the meaning of a pending question

Criteria:1. In order when another has the floor: No2. Requires a Second: Yes3. Debatable: Yes

Only when the question to which it applies is debatable

4. Amendable: Yes Unless pending question is a secondary

amendment5. Vote required for adoption: Majority 6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes

RONR: Subsidiary MotionsCommit or Refer

Rank: 10Purpose: 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:1. In order when another has the floor: No2. Requires a Second: Yes3. Debatable: Yes4. Amendable: Yes5. Vote required for adoption: Majority 6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: Yes

Only if the committee has not begun consideration of the question referred

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:



3. Debatable: Yes

4. Amendable: Yes



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:



3. Debatable: No

4. Amendable: Yes

5. Vote required for adoption: Two-Thirds (2/3)


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:1. In order when another has the floor: No2. Requires a Second: Yes3. Debatable: No4. Amendable: No5. Vote required for adoption: Two-Thirds (2/3) 6. 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

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:



3. Debatable: No

4. Amendable: No


6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: No

RONR: Privileged Motions

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


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:

1. In order when another has the floor: Yes

2. Requires a Second: No

3. Debatable: No

4. Amendable: No

5. Vote required for adoption: Demand On demand as a request, but a 2/3 vote by the

assembly can set them aside6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: No

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:

1. In order when another has the floor: Yes

2. Requires a Second: No

3. Debatable: No

4. Amendable: No

5. Vote required for adoption: Chair Rules on request If motion is required, it is an incidental main

motion and requires a majority vote6. Can the vote on this motion be reconsidered: No

RONR: Privileged MotionsRecess

Rank: 3

Purpose: To begin a recess immediately

Criteria:



3. Debatable: No

4. Amendable: Yes



RONR: Privileged MotionsAdjourn

Rank: 2

Purpose: To close the meeting immediately

Criteria:



3. Debatable: No

4. Amendable: No



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:



3. Debatable: No

4. Amendable: Yes



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.


RONR: Incidental MotionsNo Rank

Appeal To challenge a ruling by the chair and have the

assembly make the final decisionDivision 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

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

RONR: Motions that Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly

Take from the Table To bring a “tabled” motion back before the assemblyRescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted To change an action previously taken or orderedDischarge a Committee To take a matter out of a committee’s 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.

RONR: Procedure for Handling a Main Motion

I. Obtaining and assigning the floor

1. A member rises when no one else has the floor and addresses the chair

2. The Chair recognizes the member by announcing his name or title


II. How the motion is brought before the assembly

1. The member makes the motion

(“I move that…..”)

2. Another member, without needing to rise, seconds the motion

(“I second the motion”, or “second”)3. The chair states the question on the motion

(“It is moved and seconded that…”)


III. Consideration of the motionA. Members can debate the motion

1. Before speaking in debate, members obtain the floor

2. The maker of the motion has first right to the floor if he claims it promptly

3. All remarks must be addressed to the chair4. Debate must be confined to the merits of

the motion5. 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


III. Consideration of the motion

B. The chair puts the question (puts it to a vote)1. The chair asks: “Are you ready for the

question?”2. If no one rises to claim the floor, the chair

proceeds to put the question3. The chair states:

1. “The question is on the adoption of the motion that….”

2. “As many as are in favor, say ‘Aye’3. “Those opposed say ‘No’.”

C. The chair announces the result of the vote

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 member’s 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 germane—that is, closely related to or having a bearing on the subject of the motion to be amended

RONR: Process of Amending There are three basic processes of amendment, the third

of which is an indivisible combination of the first two:

1. 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)

2. To strike out To strike out words or a paragraph

3. 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

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

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

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 society’s 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 assembly’s 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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

“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

stephen m. levine, pt, dpt, msha, rp speaker of the house apta board of directors

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