This page is designed to be a resource as you become more comfortable with Parli- pro. Feel free to browse through it in preparation for upcoming Senate meetings!
If you have any questions, please email usgsenat@iupui.edu!
Abstain: To refrain from voting
Adjourn: To officially close a meeting
Adopt: To approve an action
Agenda: An outline of the order of business to take place during a meeting
Amend: To change the wording of a motion, resolution, bylaw, or other piece
Approve: To adopt, accept, or ratify
Bylaws: The basic rules adopted by an organization for governing itself
Chair: The presiding officer during a meeting
Committee: One or more people assigned or elected to perform a specific task
Debate: To discuss a proposal giving reasons for or against it
Majority: More than half (unless otherwise specified; i.e. 2/3 majority)
Minutes: A written report of what is done in a meeting
Motion: A proposal that the assembly takes a certain action
New Business: New matters presented to the assembl
Nominate: To name a person as a candidate for appointment or election
Null and Void: Having no effect
Obtaining the Floor: Being recognized by the chair as having the right to speak
Out of Order: In violation of the rules
Pending: Undecided; still under consideration
Quorum: The minimum attendance required to conduct business
Recess: A short break in a meeting
Reconsider: A motion to review a previous decision and take another vote
Refer to Committee: To send an issue to a committee for study and recommendation of action
Second: To confirm that another member wants a motion to be discussed or considered
Take From the Table: Bring back a motion that was previously tabled
Motion
A formal proposal to take a path of action
In our case, usually a proposal to discuss a specific piece or topic, vote, or waive second reading.
Also used to suggest taking a break, end a discussion, etc.
Once a motion is made, it needs to be seconded by someone else
The second can come from anyone but the institution who made the motion
If no one seconds it, the motion dies
How to Make a Motion
Join the speakers list
Wait to be called on
When it’s your turn to talk, say “I motion/move to [whatever you think we should do].”
If someone else seconds your motion, we will act on it.
The chair can decide not to entertain a motion. If they do this, they will explain why they are choosing not to recognize it. If you still think the motion should be recognized, this can be overturned by a ⅔ vote.
If a motion is being discussed and you believe that changes should be made, you can suggest any changes by making an amendment. There are two main types of amendments you can make:
Friendly Amendment
An amendment is considered to be "friendly" if it doesn't change the meaning of the piece. This can be used for things such as grammatical or factual correction that do not drastically alter the meaning of the motion. A friendly amendment simply requires agreement from the author of the piece and does not require a vote.
To make a friendly amendment, you say: "I would like to propose a friendly amendment that _______."
Amendment
If an amendment drastically changes the wording or content of a motion or legislation, it becomes a formal amendment. For example, if the original motion was "USG should allocate $100 to ____," you could make an amendment to say "USG should allocate $50 to _____." This type of amendment requires a vote from the Senate.
If you try to make a friendly amendment and the author of the piece does not accept it, you can use a formal amendment to make the changes you want.
To make an amendment, you say, "I motion/move to amend that __________."
Note: The chair may ask you to write down your amendment so they can cast it to the projector. It will also help with spelling/grammar errors if you write what you want it to say down.
There are certain things you can say in Boardroom that don't require you to wait for your turn on the speakers' list. These are known as "Points of ___." To use one, you just speak up and say "Point of ____!" It is okay to interrupt a speaker when using a "Point of ___."
"Points Of"
Point of Order: "I don't think this is allowed per our Governing Documents.
Point of Information: "I don't think Parli-Pro is being used correctly"
Point of Information: "I'm a little confused, can I ask..."
Point of Personal Privilege: "Could everyone speak a little louder? I'm sitting in the back and having trouble hearing everyone."
Point of Clarification: "Let me clarify..."
"Points of ___" are to be used very sparingly and are NOT a valid alternative to waiting your turn on the speakers' list. If you use these improperly, you will be called out of order.
While the fundamentals of Parli-pro are fairly consistent, the application of these rules can vary between organizations. This means that if you've ever been in another organization that uses Parli-pro, USG may do things a little differently than that organization did.
Here are a couple tips for successfully using Parli-pro in USG Senate
Here are a couple tips for successfully using Parli-pro in USG Senate
- Parli-pro should NOT be used as a weapon. We use it to make sure everyone has a fair chance to share their opinion and speak on behalf of their school, so you will be called out of order if you try to use Parli-pro as a weapon.
- Don't be afraid to share your opinion even if it goes against the majority. Every opinion matters and it's important to stand up for your school's best interests.
- All statements should be directed towards the chair (with the only exception being if you are asking a question to the presenter). This helps avoid hostility and confusion in the boardroom.
- All business should stay in the boardroom. Do not share discussion, negative sentiments, election results, etc. outside of the Senate.
- Always remember that your job is to represent your organization or class. Make sure your statements reflect the best interests of your school rather than your own personal opinion.
- We're all learning parli-pro together, so don't be nervous or discouraged if you're a little confused at first. If you have any questions, just ask! If you have more experience with Parli-pro, help others around you who might not understand it as well as you do.
- Have fun and stay positive! :)