The Turmoil Experienced by A Parli Peer & Pupil: Willy Nilly Parli Pro

November 13, 2018

To whom it may concern,

"Nothing against this organization I am currently engaged in, but folks, the parli pro we use for our delegate sessions is straight up wickity wack" said my inner-noggin as I sat on the floor during a policy development meeting on Monday. I will provide one story- and only one story to prevent the inevitable fumes erupting from the ears of a green, yet eager parliamentarian such as myself . I would ask anyone reading this to give me your input, did I do the right thing?

11:25 am. Monday November 12, 2018.

The way this organization does this is quite impressive and brilliant. Policies are provided prior to the session, reviewed by a committee and then submitted to the delegates to be deleted or amended. I should also let you know that this assembly approved their own set of rules, with nothing included about previous question. After debating on the deletion of an item, a member called "question" which of course was a relief because we were at 1 of a few hundred to review. WARNING: This is where it went down.

The chair states "The question has been called, we will now vote on the motion to delete..." BRUH. Goodbye Justin Kurtz, a new and improved, ddf12 creation has been unleashed on this delegate floor. Of course I shoot up and say "MR. CHAIR POINT OF ORDER, POINT OF OR-". To which a confused VP responds with "Give that kid a microphone". "Hello, Justin Kurtz, Centre County, I rise to a point of order because the call for previous question is a subsidiary motion requiring a 2/3 vote. Essentially we should vote on the previous question, closing debate, and then vote on the motion." Still confused, and now panicked, the chair refers to his consultants who responded that when we voted to suspend the rules, the previous question was also suspended so as soon as any member says question, debate comes to a close. BIG BRUH. I sat down, feeling defeated, and oddly enough yearning for Dr. Foster's presence to whip out his RONR and save the day. I mean seriously, just because one person wants to stop debate, we are going to restrict the right of debate to members? I am pretty sure this is would be out of line when referring to the characteristics of a Deliberative Assembly.

But hey, I guess if it works for them, maybe we should just let the custom be what drives the business? Or maybe we could just cover all of our bases when introducing special rules for an assembly? What are the downfalls of relying on custom? Was it more a hinderance when I stood to a point of order? Let me know,

Sincerely,

A Parli Peer & Pupil

Examining the Use of Committees: Practical Parli Pro

November 13, 2018

For the past few days I have been at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Annual Meeting participating in policy development as a delegate, engaging in productive discussion, and fore-mostly working with the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. As we discuss the practical uses of a committee in Parli Pro, I am seeing the proof right in front of my eyes. Committees are appointed to work on a large order of business, task or goal for example, getting Young Farmers & Ranchers involved in Farm Bureau. This committee consisting of 16 district representatives from across the state between the ages of 18 and 35 has been working tirelessly to promote the work of our organization to the next organization.

This committee spends about an hour a month deliberating, which in the grand scheme of things, doesn't seem like much. Well, that is the purpose! In addition to YF&R, PFB has 2 other standing committees focused on Women's leadership and Ag Promotion. Imagine if their were no committees and the state board had to do all of this work on their own, in addition to the work they already do. In addition to efficiency, committees provide the opportunity to ensure the matter is in the hands of subject matter experts, or at least people with the credentials to make a logical decision that would benefit the assembly. Hence why members of the YF&R committee are no older than 35.

Overall I wanted to illustrate my first hand experience with the efficiency of a committee, as long as properly utilized.

Reading Into Rescind and Reconsider

Previous Notice: “A requirement of previous notice means that announcement that the motion will be introduced-indicating its exact content as described below-must be included in the call of the meeting at which the motion will be brought up”

(RONR 11^th ed.), pg. 121, II. 22-27

“The call of a meeting is generally sent to all members a reasonable time in advance, which may be prescribed in the bylaws.”

(RONR 11^th ed.), pg. 121, II. 30-32

Rescind and Previous Notice: A motion to rescind will only “require previous notice if they are to be adopted by only a majority vote. Accordingly, it is ordinarily desirable to give previous notice if there is a possibility of serious disagreement”

(RONR 11^th ed.), pg. 122, II. 5-8

The previous notice can be given when someone else has the floor if they have not begun to speak, while business is pending and even after the vote to adjourn has been made if the chair has not declared the meeting adjourned.

The reason previous notice is so important for the rescind is because members need to have time to decide before debating on it. If members were aloud to constantly rescind motions without some notice, then heated arguments could be recycled throughout a meeting, thus a rescind would be counterproductive. Hence why 2/3 vote is required without previous notice, so it is not easy to undo the work of the assembly.

The Effect of Rescind: Rescind aka Repeal or Annul is used to strike out the entirety of a main motion, resolution or rule previously adopted. Basically, to bring back a motion and then kill it. The motion Amend Something Previously adopted will bring back a motion for it to be amended.

Rescind vs. Reconsider vs. To Call Up Reconsider vs. Reconsider and Enter:

Rescind: Bring back passed motion to kill it.

Reconsider: Bring back motion that could of either passed or failed for the assembly to reconsider the vote. Difference from rescind: Does not debate on the motion but rather the vote for the motion.

To Call Up Reconsider: To make a motion to reconsider when it is not able to be acted upon and then taking it up later.

Reconsider and Enter: To vote to reconsider a motion before it can be acted upon, then calling up the reconsider at a different session. Enter in to minutes provides a sort of previous notice to gain support.

Why Use Reconsider and Enter?

Say I make a motion to spend our time in #AgEdParli by playing non-stop checkers. You know you don’t have the votes to shut this down, so you make a motion to reconsider and enter to the minutes. This will place a suspending effect on the original motion. Meaning, it will not be taken up until it is called up at the next meeting. Therefore, you will be able to rally more votes until then, and fellow members will see that you would like to reconsider this motion that is suspended.