Wednesday Words of the Day!

Welcome to our new series: Wednesday Words of the Day! (Just about) each Wednesday, I will post a list of words that students picked out throughout the week, including words that they had no idea about or words that they thought were important and would appear in the future. The definitions of these words are the definitions that students found in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised (RONR), 11th Edition, or definitions that they derived from both RONR and their knowledge of the topic

Deliberative Assembly - a group of persons following a parliamentary authority to conduct business
RONR (11th ed.), p. 1-2

Board - smaller than other assemblies determined by responsibilities and powers

Convention - a type of deliberative assembly; an assembly of delegates (e.g. Farm Bureau annual meeting) RONR (11th ed.), p.7

Local Assembly of an Organized Society - a local group that is part of a bigger group that has bylaws, membership, and follows the rules of larger group (e.g. FFA, 4-H)

Mass Meeting - a meeting open to everyone (e.g. town hall meeting) RONR (11th ed.), p. 5-11, 20-38

Legislative Body - constitutionally established public law making body of representatives chosen for a fixed term of office (e.g. voting) RONR (11th ed.), p.8

Parliamentary Authority - a book of rules on conducting business in deliberative assemblies (e.g. Robert's Rules of Order, AIPSC, Mason's, Canon, Demeter

Tune back in next Wednesday to expand your parliamentary vocabulary! If you are viewing this blog from an outside perspective, please comment below some vocabulary words that you think would challenge students!

I belong to what? And have What rights?

As the first week of AEE 216 is ending and the new one is beginning I am reflecting on rights we all have as a member of an assembly has as well as what are some assemblies (bonus that I get to learn how to make a blog post!)

Welcome to #AgEdParli!

This week, twelve unique individuals, two excited teaching assistants, and one driven professor made history when they attended their first two Parliamentary Procedure classes of the semester!

Let's have a look at some of the things that we did! 

On day one of the class, Dr. Foster began by providing introductions to each student in the class. This purposeful exercise reminded us that this class is more than a general education requirement, and in this class, students are more than just a number. Throughout this semester, we will truly get to know each other! 

Then, we took a look at how parliamentary procedure developed through the years and why it was developed. To get an idea of where this incredible system came from, please check out the video linked below that a group of students created last semester as their Space for Innovation project! 

Who was Henry Martyn Robert?  

Next, instead of getting our feet wet, we dove directly into the deep end, reading and learning about Robert's Rules of Order and parliamentary procedure. We learned, in depth, about what a Parliamentary Authority is and Deliberative Assemblies (and we got a taste of Dr. Foster's playlist). Did anybody know before class on Tuesday that there are multiple parliamentary authorities for a society to choose from?! 

Before class ended, we discussed the characteristics of a deliberative assembly. If somebody correctly posts these characteristics in the comments, there may be a prize involved! 

Impact Moment: learning how diverse this class truly is. Some students have experienced parliamentary procedure in clubs they are a part of at home, some at school, and some had no experience. A lot of students were members of the National FFA Organization, but there were a few who were not. A small number of students also had experience competing in the Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Development Event. The point is, this class is a very diverse team, and I am incredibly excited to get to know everyone even more!

If you are reading this blog and are not enrolled in the course but would like to follow our learning, next week's topic of discussion will be a short continuation of the rules of deliberative assemblies, and then we will be covering the topic of *drum roll please* bylaws! 

Reading to be completed for Tuesday: RONR 11th, pg ii; Chapter 1 (1-19); Chapter IV (81-99); Chapter XI (345-375); Chapter XVIII (565-599)

What did everyone think of class this week? If there are any lingering questions, questions about the upcoming reading, or favorite moments, I'm looking forward to seeing them in the comments! 

Posts from Tommy

http://thomasfq.blogspot.com/2017/12/types-of-voting.html

http://thomasfq.blogspot.com/2017/12/quorum.html

http://thomasfq.blogspot.com/2017/12/recess.html

Accredited Parliamentarian--- SAY WHAT?!

Background:

First semester at University Park campus. 

First class with Dr. Foster as the professor. 

Anxiety level-- at an all time high. 

I have never encountered parliamentary procedure in a formal sense until AEE 216 was introduced to me. My FFA chapter used parliamentary procedure, as well as my volunteer fire company; however, I had no idea what this whole concept of parliamentary procedure was coming from in relation to my degree in Agricultural and Extension Education or in relation to FFA. 

Dr. Foster is slightly intimidating on certain days, and intimidating professors paired with an intimidating topic is not exactly the ideal combination to enter one of the most intimidating semesters during your college career (aside from student teaching--YIKES). 

One quote kept me going throughout this semester, this quote kept me going and prevented me from giving up and not reaching my full potential.

My entire life, there have been people doubting me, and for the longest time I chose to let those individuals get to me and allowed myself to give up on my dreams. There have been times where my self confidence has diminished due to the people that want to see me fail getting inside my head and I began to make those comments and discussions true for my life. The quote, "There will be haters, there will be doubters, there will be non-believers, and then there will be you, PROVING THEM WRONG," has kept me humble and confident throughout this semester of my college career.

Enough about me... let's talk Parli!

Parliamentary procedure at the beginning of this semester, was the most boring class that I had ever heard of. I was preparing myself for the worst semester of my college career. However, from the moment that I walked into Ferguson 214 on day 1 of fall semester, my entire attitude towards parliamentary procedure changed. I realized that I know a lot more about parliamentary procedure than I could ever imagine. I also learned not only the basic facts about parliamentary procedure but how the concepts relate to real life and just how valuable the lessons and concepts are. 

What I've Learned About Parli:

1) Historical Development of Parliamentary Procedure

2) Deliberative Assemblies & Rules

3) Proper Conduct of Meetings

4) 25 Different Motions

5) 4 Classifications of Motions (and Main Motions), and their precedence (rank or order)

6) Parliamentary Procedure in Societies (FFA- National FFA Convention)

7) Nominations

8) Officer Duties and Elections

9) Committees

10) So much more!

What I've Learned About Myself:

1) Challenge yourself!

2) You are capable of doing anything that you put your mind to!

3) There will always be someone that is better than you- learn from it. 

4) You are not as unintelligent as you make yourself out to be. 

5) Application is everything. 

I am pleased to announce:

Although the class is intimidating and may be a step outside of your comfort zone, the course load is very manageable; and Dr. Foster is not as intimidating as you may think! 

I declare this blog post- Adjourned!

-Kayla R. Stauffer

Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences

Agricultural and Extension Education-- Class of 2019 

Accredited Parliamentarian

Officers- The President!

Presidential Duties!

There are four constitutional officer positions that are typical for organizations. The four officers include the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The Chairman is also the President of an organization and has multiple duties, which is why a vice president is necessary in order to assist the president in maintaining order!

The duties of the President include:
1) To open the meeting at the appointed time by taking the chair and calling the meeting to order, having ascertained that a quorum is present. [RONR 11th ed. pg. 449, l. 24-26]
2) To announce in proper sequence the business that comes before the assembly or becomes in order in accordance with the prescribed order of business, agenda, or program, and with existing orders of the day. [RONR 11th ed. pg. 449, l.27-30]
3) To recognize members who are entitled to the floor. [RONR 11th. ed. pg. 449, l. 31-32]
4) To state and to put to vote all questions that legitimately come before the assembly as motions or that otherwise arise in the course of proceedings (except questions that relate to the presiding officer himself in the manner noted below, and to announce the result of each vote; or if a motion that is not in order is made, to rule it out of order. [RONR 11th. ed. pg. 449-450, l.33-4]
5)  To protect the assembly from annoyance from evidently frivolous or dilatory motions by refusing to recognize them. [RONR 11th. ed. pg. 450, l. 7-8]
6) To enforce the rules relating to debate and those relating to order and decorum within the assembly. [RONR 11th. ed. pg. 450, l. 9-11]
7) To expedite business in every way compatible with the rights of members. [RONR 11th. ed. pg. 450, l. 12-13]
8) To decide all questions of order, subject to appeal- unless, when in doubt, the presiding officer prefers initially to submit such a question to the assembly for decision. [RONR 11th. ed. pg. 450, l. 14-17]
9) To respond to inquiries of members relating to parliamentary procedure or factual information bearing on the business of the assembly. [RONR 11th. ed. pg. 450, l. 18-21]
10)  To authenticate by his or her signature, when necessary, all acts, orders, and proceedings of the assembly. [RONR 11th ed. pg. 450, l. 22-23]
11) To declare the meeting adjourned when the assembly so votes or- where applicable- at the time prescribed in the program, or at any time in the event of a sudden emergency affecting the safety of those present. [RONR 11th. ed. pg. 450, l. 24-27]

WOAH! That's a LOT of responsibility! 

But wait... there's more!

Additional Responsibilities include:

1) providing a copy of the bylaws and other rules of the organization

2) providing a copy of the organizations parliamentary authority

3) providing a list of all standing and special committees as well as the members of each

4) providing a memorandum of the complete order of business listing all known matters that are expected to come up throughout the meeting, provided in the proper sequence and under the proper headings.  

[RONR 11th. ed. pg.450-451, l.33-6]

Fun Fact/ Question:

Q1:
Is it true that the president can vote only to break a tie?

Answer:
No!  If the president is a member of the voting body, he or she has exactly the same rights and privileges as all other members have, including the right to make motions, to speak in debate, and to vote on all questions. (Example- small boards)

Tie Votes and Cases in Which the Chair's Vote Affects the Result:
[RONR (11th ed.), pp. 405 l. 19- pg. 406, l. 20]

Resources:
http://www.robertsrules.com/faq.html
Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised (11th. edition)

Two Very Common Misconceptions about Motions

1. All motions require a second
1. Listed below are just some of the motions that do not require a second
1. Proposals for filling blanks [RONR (11th ed.), p.164 ll. 13-15]
2. Division of the Assembly [RONR (11th ed.), p.280-282]
3. Call for a separate vote on a resolution which is one of a series on different subjects offered by a single motion [RONR (11th ed.), p.110, 274-275]
4. Request for information and parliamentary inquiry[RONR (11th ed.), p.292-295]
5. To make nominations [RONR (11th ed.), p. 430-438]
6. Objection to consideration of a question [RONR (11th ed.), p.267-270]
7. Call for the orders of the day [RONR (11th ed.), p.219-224]
8. Point of order [RONR (11th ed.), p. 247-254]
9. Reconsider [RONR (11th ed.), p. 315- 335]
2. All motions require a majority vote to be adopted
1. The vote that is required for the motion to be adopted depends on the motion. The motion will either require a majority vote or a ⅔ vote in order for it to pass. For example a majority vote is required to adopt the bylaws or constitution of a new society whereas a two-thirds vote is required in order for “previous question” to pass. Refer to table #2 in the back of RONR (11th edition) for the voting requirements of each motion.