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What is Parliamentary Procedure?
Parliamentary Procedure is a set of rules for conducting business at meetings and public gatherings. Parliamentary Procedure has a long history. It originated in the early English Parliaments and came to America with the first European settlers. It became uniform in 1876, when Henry M. Robert published his manual of Parliamentary Law. Today, Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 10th Edition, is the basic handbook for many clubs, organizations and other groups, including the Oklahoma Nursing Student Association.

Why is Parliamentary Procedure Important?
Because it allows everyone to be heard and to make decisions without confusion. Parliamentary Procedure means: Democratic rule, Flexibility, Protection of rights, and a fair hearing for everyone. It can be adapted to fit the needs of any organization, so it's very important for everyone to know these basic rules.

A Fixed Agenda
or order of business is generally followed by organizations using parliamentary procedure. Here's a typical example:

Call To Order - If a quorum (a quorum is the number or percentage of members that must be present for business to be conducted legally. The actual number is usually stated in the bylaws) is present, the chair (person conducting the meeting) says, "The meeting will come to order."
Minutes - the secretary reads a record of the previous meeting.
Officers' Reports - Officers and standing (permanent) committees may report on their activities. Some only report at annual meetings.
Reports of Special Committees - Special (temporary) committees report on the tasks for which they were created.
Special Orders - This is important business previously designated for consideration at this meeting.
Unfinished Business - This is business that has come over from the previous meeting.
New Business - New topics are introduced.
Announcements - These inform the assembly (the people at the meeting) of other subjects and events.
Adjournment - The meeting ends by a vote or by general consent (or by the chair's decision if the time of adjournment was prearranged by vote).

How Do Members Get Their Say?
They make motions. A motion is a proposal that the assembly take a stand or take action on some issue. Members have a right to:

Present Motions - "I move that ... " (make a proposal)
Debate Motions - "I think ... "(give opinions on the motion)
Second Motions - "I second that motion ... "(express support for discussion of another member's motion)
Vote on Motions - "All those in favor ... "(make a decision)

There are 5 General Types of Motions:

Main Motions - These introduce subjects for consideration. They cannot be made when another motion is before the assembly. They yield to privileged, subsidiary amd incidental motions. For example, "I move that we purchase ..."
Subsidiary Motions - These change or affect how the main motion is handled. (They are voted on before the main motion.) For example, "I move to amend the motion by striking out ..."
Privileged Motions - These concern special or important matters not related to pending business. In general, they are considered before other types of motions. For example, "I move that we adjourn ..."
Incidental Motions - These are questions of procedure that arise out of other motions. they must be considered before the other motion. For example, "I move to suspend the rules for the purpose of ..."
Motions That Bring a Question Before the Assembly - These enable certain items to be considered. In general, they are brought up when no business is pending. For example, "I move to reconsider ..."

Some Questions Relating To Motions:

Is it in order? - Your motion must relate to the business at hand and be presented at the right time. It must not be obstructive, frivolous or against the bylaws.
May I interrupt the speaker? - Some motions are so important that the speaker may be interrupted to make them. The original speaker retains the floor after the interruption has been attended to.
Do I need a second? - Usually, yes. A second indicates that another member would like to consider your motion. It prevents spending time on a question that interests only one person.
Is it debateable? - Parliamentary procedure guards the right to free and full debate on most motions. However, some subsidiary, privileged and incidental motions are not debateable.
Can it be amended? - Some motions can be changed by striking out or inserting wording, or both. Amendments must relate to the subject as presented in the main motion.
What vote is needed? - Most require only a majority vote (more than half the members present and voting). But, motions concerning the rights of the assembly or its members need a 2/3 vote to be adopted.
Can it be reconsidered? - Some motions can be debated again and revoted to give members a chance to change their minds. The motion to reconsider must come from the winning side.

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