PARLIAMENTARY RULES AND

PROCEDURE

JIMMY C. ANDANG
Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
Provincial Capitol, Isulan, Sultan

 Parliamentary Law refers originally

to the customs and rules for
conducting business in the English
Parliament; and thence to the usages
of deliberative assemblies in general.
In England these usages of Parliament
form a part of the unwritten law of the
land, and in our own legislative bodies
they are of authority in all cases
where they do not conflict with
existing rules or precedents.

Parliamentary
Procedure

As

defined,
parliamentary
procedure is best described as
a system of rules to keep
ORDER at large meetings by
controlling who is speaking
and how business is handled.

ESSENCE OF PRP

The essence of Parliamentary Rules and

Procedure is confined to the concept of
COURTESY or RESPECT

Every action to be made by members of the

sanggunian in the session hall shall be in
accordance with their rules and procedure.
The Internal Rules and Procedure of the
sanggunian is adopted to govern their
conduct during sessions. It is made to solicit
courtesy or respect among its members.
Thus, it ensures orderly session.

PURPOSES OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE:

To keep order: Only one speaker is recognized at a time. That

person is allowed to comment on the issue at hand, or to suggest
the group take a specific course of action, without interference
from any other person. The group will focus on one person's
opinion at any given time.
To make sense: Only one matter is being considered at a time; one
motion is pending, in the jargon of parliamentary procedure. In
fact, sometimes the debate will focus on very narrow side-issues -but we will always return to the main idea in time.
To preserve the members' rights: The group will operate under
majority rule, but the minority is always assured a voice in the
group's decisions. Sometimes a persuasive minority can become
the majority, and get the group as a whole to endorse its
viewpoints.

The Basic Principles of Parliamentary Rules & Procedure

Courtesy and justice for all

Consideration of only one

subject at a time
Rights of absent members
must be protected
The minority must be heard
The will of the majority must
prevail

Who Uses These Rules?

Congress
2. Sanggunian
3. Student Government
4. Faith-Based Organizations
5. Corporate Boards
6. School Boards
7. Homeowners Associations
8. Professional Associations
9. Fraternities and Sororities
10. Various Clubs
1.

History of Roberts Rules

Formalized by Col. Henry M. Robert

US Army official and engineer
Began at a church meeting in 1863
First edition published in 1876
The most popular authority
Over 5 million copies in print
I would never attend another meeting
until I knew something ofparliamentary
law. Where there is no law, but every man
does what is right in his own eyes, there is
the least of real liberty. Henry M. Robert

History of Parliamentary
Procedure
Originated in the early English Parliaments
(discussions of public affairs)
Came to America with early settlers from
Europe.
Became uniform in 1876, when Col. Henry M.
Robert Published his manual on Parliamentary
law.
Today Roberts Rules of Order newly revised is
the basic handbook of operation for most
organizations groups.

WHERE DO THE ACTUAL RULES OF THE

SANGGUNIAN AND ITS PROCEDURES STEM
FROM? OR WHAT ARE ITS BASIS?

SEC. 50 of R.A. 7160.Internal Rules of Procedure. (a) On the first regular

session following the election
of its members and within
ninety (90) days thereafter,

the sanggunian
concerned
shall adopt or update its
existing rules of procedure.

What are the contents

of IRP?

(1) The organization of the sanggunian and the election of its officers
as well as the creation of standing committees which shall include, but
shall not be limited to, the committees on appropriations, women and family,
human rights, youth and sports development, environmental protection, and
cooperatives; the general jurisdiction of each committee; and the election of
the chairman and members of each committee;
(2) The order and calendar of business for each session;
(3) The legislative process;
(4) The parliamentary procedures which include the conduct of members
during sessions;
(5) The discipline of members for disorderly behavior and absences
without justifiable cause for four (4) consecutive sessions, for which they
may be censured, reprimanded, or excluded from the session, suspended for
not more than sixty (60) days, or expelled: Provided, That the penalty of
suspension or expulsion shall require the concurrence of at least two-thirds
(2/3) vote of all the sanggunian members: Provided, further, That a member
convicted by final judgment to imprisonment of at least one (1) year for any
crime involving moral turpitude shall be automatically expelled from the
sanggunian; and
(6) Such other rules as the sanggunian may adopt. (Sec. 50 of R.A. 7160)

SCHEMATIC PRESENTATION
OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Sanggunian member(s) introduces an ordinance or resolution
Member file the request

Sanggunian Staff receives

Secretary to the sanggunian records the propose ordinance

First reading
Secretary reads the draft
resolution/ordinance

Presiding Officer assigns same to

appropriate committee(s) to study the same,
hold hearings and debates

Filing of committee report with the secretary, the latter distributes copies to
Committee Chairmanmembers
rendersduring session.
Dissenting views aired by

his report.

member

Reading of draft resolution/ordinance in the second reading

(Debate/Amendments )

Third Reading (amendments in the title)

If the resolution/ordinance is defeated, it is shelved in the archives

Presiding
Officer Affixed His Signature
It will be published
in newspaper
of general circulation or posting in
Forward Resolution/Ordinance for
two conspicuous places (ordinance
signature of the Local Chief
with penal clause, tax related
Executive
ordinance, or any onerous
ordinance)

The Secretary within three (3) days from its approval

submits the same to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for
review, the latter will act on it within thirty (30) days,
otherwise it is deemed consistent with law .
EFFECTIVITY OF ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTIONS
After 10 days from the date of posting in a bulletin board at the
entrance of municipal hall and in the at least two conspicuous places in
the LGU concerned not later than 5 days after approval thereof.

Meeting and Session

Meeting is used for an assembling of the members of a
deliberative body for any length of time during which they do
not separate for longer than a few minutes, as the morning
meeting, or the evening meeting, of a convention. In a society
with rules providing for regular meetings every week, or
month, etc., each of these regular meetings is a separate
session. A called or special meeting is a distinct session.
Should a regular or special meeting adjourn to meet at
another time, the adjourned meeting is a continuation of the
session, not a separate one; the two meetings constitute one
session. In the case of a convention holding a meeting every
year or two, or rather a series of meetings lasting several
days, the entire series of meetings constitute one session.

Kinds of
Session/Meeting
Stated or Regular Session/Meeting
the date, time and place of
meeting/session are stated in the
Internal Rules, i.e. twice a month as
provided in the IRP (Sec. 52 a of R.A.
7160).
.
Special Session/Meeting called for
by Local Chief Executive or majority of
the members when public interest so
demands (Sec. 52 b of R.A. 7160).

Order of Business
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Call to Order
Invocation
Singing of the National Anthem
Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat
Roll Call
Privilege Hour/Question Hour
Reading and Consideration of the
Minutes of Previous Session

8. Measures on First Reading

A. Resolutions/Ordinances/Requests
9. Committee Reports
10. Communications
11. Calendar of Business
A. Unfinished Business
B. Second Reading
C. Business of the Day
D. Unassigned Business
E. Measures on Third and Final Reading
F. Other Matters

What is a GAVEL?
A gavel is a mallet which is used by the
Presiding Chairman as a symbol of
SYMBOL OF AUTHORITY during
meetings.

Meaning of Raps of a Gavel:

3 RAPS - to call the meeting to order
2 RAPS - to signify that the assembly
should rise for rituals
1 RAP - signify that the assembly may sit
down
Series of Raps - to call order in the floor,
silence or order.
1 soft RAP signify that a decision in a
major issue has been made / follows an
announcement of adjournment

CALL TO ORDER
The Presiding Officer will bang the
gavel three times to call the session to
order.
The Presiding officer might be the
regular presiding officer or the
temporary presiding officer which is
elected by the members to preside in
the absence of the regular presiding
officer.
Question: May the Ex-Officio Member
preside? Yes, considering that he is a

Invocation
During the first session of the first
Queensland Parliament, Henry Jordan,
the member for Brisbane North,
introduced a motion to open each sitting
day of Parliament with a prayer. The
motion was approved by 20 votes to 2.
The prayer then adopted is still used
today.

Lupang Hinirang/
Panunumpa ng
Katapatan sa Watawat
ng Pilipinas.
The next item of business is the
singing of our national anthem the
Lupang Hinirang, followed by the
Panunumpa
ng
Katapatan
sa
Watawat ng Pilipinas. These two items
denote nationalism and reverence to our
flag.

ROLL CALL
Roll Call is made by the secretary, upon
order of the Presiding Officer, who calls
the name of all the members of the
sanggunian and she/he determines if
quorum exist. She/he will so state if
there is a quorum or none.

DEFINITION OF QUORUM
(SEC. 53 of R.A. 7160)
- (a) A majority of all the members of the
sanggunian who have been elected and
qualified shall constitute a quorum to
transact official business. Should a
question of quorum be raised during a
session, the presiding officer shall
immediately proceed to call the roll of
the members and thereafter announce
the results.

(b) Where there is no quorum, the presiding

officer may declare a recess until such time as
a quorum is constituted, or a majority of the
members present may adjourn from day to day
and may compel the immediate attendance of
any member absent without justifiable cause
by designating a member of the sanggunian, to
be assisted by a member or members of the
police force assigned in the territorial
jurisdiction of the local government unit
concerned, to arrest the absent member and
present him at the session.

 (c) If there is still no quorum

despite the enforcement of the
immediately preceding subsection,
no business shall be transacted.
The presiding officer, upon proper
motion duly approved by the
members present, shall then
declare the session adjourned for
lack of quorum

Quorum as Simple
Majority
One half plus one of the members of the
assembly shall constitute a quorum
Ex. 7 members plus the Punong Barangay
who is the Presiding Officer (8) compose
the Sangguniang Barangay, thus, the
quorum is one half of 8, which is 4, plus
one, i.e. five (5) members constitutes
the quorum of the sanggunian.

Privilege/Question
Hour
Any member may rise to render speech
on any matter with privilege from being
prosecuted from oral defamation or
libel. He has the freedom to speak on
any matter.

He may invite anybody to answer the

queries of the sanggunian respecting a
matter of importance for legislation.

Reading and Consideration of

the Minutes of Previous Session.

The Secretary is ordered in this part to

read the minutes of previous session.
The purpose of this is for the members
to determine the veracity of the
statement he rendered on such session
and for him to rectify or correct errors
reflected therein.

Measures on First
Reading
Petitions/requests/resolutions

and
ordinances of a barangay government
which are subject for review in
accordance
with
R.A.
7160
are
introduced for first reading.
Under this Order of Business, the said
items are referred to appropriate
committees by the Presiding Officer.

Committee Reports

Chairmen of different committees

shall report to the August body the
decision reached by their respective
committee on a matter referred to it.

No committee report shall be

rendered unless it passed through
committee hearing/meeting.
And no
second reading shall be taken up if the
matter did not pass a committee
meeting/hearing. This is to give accord
to the due process of law.

Due Process of Law

No person shall be deprived of life,
liberty or property without due process
of law.

Thus, ordinances which is punitive in

nature shall undergo committee meeting
or hearing to consult and inform the
public of such measure.

Communications

The secretary reads the letters addressed to

the
sanggunian
or
any
communications
respecting a matter which the sanggunian has
concerns.

Communications which need the action of

the sanggunian shall, by motion of any member,
be included in the first reading and should be
properly referred to the appropriate committee
or as certified urgent by the chairman,
Committee on Rules, and be included in the BOD.

Calendar of Business
Under the calendar of business are the
following:

1. Unfinished business business which are

left unfinished in the last session.

2. Second reading
3. Unassigned Business
4. Measures on third and Final Reading
5. Other Business

Introduction of
Business
An assembly having been organized,
business is brought before it either
1. by the motion of a member, or
2. by the presentation of a
communication to the August body.

MOTIONS

A motion is a proposal that the

assembly take action on some issue.
Members can:

Present motions (Make a proposal)

Debate Motions (Give opinions about the
motions)
Second Motions: (Express support for
discussion of another members motion)
Vote on Motions: (Make a decision)

4 Basic Type of
Motions
1. Main motions:
The purpose of a main motion is to introduce
action to the members for their consideration.
A main motion can not be made when any other
motion is on the floor.
A main motion yields to subsidiary, privileged
and incidental motions.

2. Subsidiary Motions
Their purpose is to change or affect how a main
motion is handled. They must be voted on before
the main motion is voted on.

4 Basic Type of
Motions
3. Privileged Motions
Their purpose is to bring up items that are
urgent about special or important matters
not related to pending or important
business.
4. Incidental motions
Their purpose is to provide a means of
questioning the procedures concerning
other motions and must be considered
before the other questions.

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 IRP or the
Philippine Constitution.
May I interrupt the speaker?
Some motions are so important that the speaker may
be interrupted to make them. The original speaker
regains 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 which interests only one
person.

Is it debatable?
Parliamentary procedure guards the right to free
and full debate on most motions. However some
privileged and incidental motions are not debatable.
Can it be amended?
Some motions can be altered by striking out,
inserting or both at once. Amendments must relate
to the subject as presented in the main motion.
What vote is needed?
Most require only a majority vote, but motions
concerning the rights of the assembly or its
members need a 2/3 vote to be accepted.
Can it be reconsidered?
Some motions can be debated again and re-voted to
give members a chance to change their minds. The
move to reconsider must come from the winning
side.

Main Motions
Means of introducing business to a
meeting.
Requires:
Second
Is debatable
Is amendable
Majority vote

Steps to Handling a
Main Motion

Stand
Ask to be recognized by President/Chair
President recognizes you by name
Motion is correctly stated
Motion is seconded
Motion is repeated by President
Motion is discussed and debated
President restates motion to be voted on
Motion is voted on
Results of vote announced by President

How do I present my motion?

Obtain the floor
Wait until the last speaker is finished
Rise and address the chair. Say, Mr. (or
Madam) Chairperson or Mr. (or Madam)
President
Give your name. The chair will recognize you
by repeating it.
Make your motion
Speak clearly and precisely
State your motion affirmatively. Say, I move
that we Instead of I move that we do
not
Avoid personalities and stay on the subject.

Wait for a second

Another member will say, I second the motion
Or the chair will; call for a second
If there is no second, your motion will not be
considered

Chair states your motion

The chairperson must say, It is moved and
seconded that we
After this happens, debate or voting can occur
Your motion is now assembly property and
you cant change it without consent of the
members.

Expand on your motion

Mover is allowed to speak first.

Direct all comments to the chairperson
Keep to the time limit for speaking.
You may speak again after all other speakers
are finished.
You may speak a third time by a motion to
suspend the rules with a 2/3 vote.
Putting the question

The chairperson asks, Are you ready for the

question?
If there is no more discussion, a vote is taken.
The chairperson announces the results.
Or, a motion for a previous question may be
adopted.

Voting on a motion depends on the

situation and on the written standards
and bylaws of your organization.

By voice
The chairperson ask those in favor to say,
aye and those oppose to say, no (For
majority voters only) A member may move
for an exact count.
By Roll Call
If a record of each persons vote is needed,
each member answers yes, no or
present (indicating the choice not to
vote) as his or her name is called.

By show of Hands
Members raise their hands as sight verification of
or as alternative to a voice vote. It does not
require a count. A member may move for an
exact count.

By ballot
Members write their vote on a slip of paper. This
is done when secrecy is desired.

By general consent
When a motion isnt likely to be opposed, the
chairperson says, If there is no objection
Members show agreement by their silence. If
someone says, I object, the matter must be put
to a vote.

More about Voting

Are we ready for the question?
A question (motion) is pending when it has
been stated by the chair but not yet voted.
The last motion stated by the chair is the first
pending
The main motion is always the last voted on.

Anatomy of a Main
Motion

Always starts with I

move

Debating a Motion

Raise concerns about the motion.

Persuade others to vote one way
or another.
Provide information about
motion.

Amending a Motion

Allows for changes to

a main motion to
appease both sides or
improve the motion.

Seconding a motion

Seconding ensures the

following:
Get on record as
supporting motion.
Puts the motion to a
vote.

Main Motions Continued

The person who makes a motion can not talk
against it
Main motions can be reconsidered
Can not interrupt another speaker
Proper Example: Mr. President, I move that the SB
will attend the Open Forum.

Privileged motions
Motions that fulfill individual
needs or the interest of the
group individually.
Motions do not pertain
directly to the business
being discussed.

Privileged Motions

Include the following:

Fix Time to Which to Adjourn
Adjourn
Recess
Raise a Question of Privilege
Call for Orders of the Day

Fix Time to Which to

Adjourn
Set date and time to adjourn
meeting
Requires:
Second
NON-Debatable
Amendable
Majority Vote

Adjourn
Privileged motion that ends current meeting
immediately.
Requires:
Second
Non-debatable
Non-amendable
Majority vote
Proper example
Mr. president, I move to adjourn.

Recess
Temporary break in a meeting.
Requires:

Second
Non-debatable
Amendable to time only
Majority vote
Proper example
Mr. President, I move to take a 5 minute
recess.

Raise a question of
Privilege
Secures comfort/convenience
for members.
Requires:
Nothing. Question posed by
member is decided upon by
the chair.

SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS

Motions that alter, change or

dispose the main motions.

Subsidiary Motions
Include the following:

Lay on the Table

Call for Previous Question
Postpone Definitely
Refer to a Committee
Amend
Postpone Indefinitely

Call for Previous Question

Ends debate immediately.
Requires:

Second
Non-debatable
Non-amendable
Two-thirds vote
Proper example:
Madam President, I move the previous question
Mr. President, I call for the previous question

Postpone Definitely
Purpose

to be defer to a different day, meeting, or until after

a certain event

Requires:

Second
Debatable
Amendable
Majority vote
Proper example:
Madam President, I move to postpone this motion
until the December Regular Meeting.

Postpone Indefinitely
Purpose

To kill a main motion or delay a motion to a certain time.

Requires a second
Not Amendable
Debatable
Majority Vote
Can not interrupt another speaker
Can be reconsidered only if passed
Proper Example: Mr. President, I move to
Postpone this motion indefinitely

Refer to a Committee
Assign main motion to a committee.
used to send a pending question to a small group so
that the question may be carefully investigated

Requires:

Second
Debatable
Amendable
Majority vote

Refer to a Committee
Two types of committees:
Standing Committee
one of those listed in your Rules
Special Committee/Ad Hoc
Appointed by the P.O.
Number of members can be 3 or
more

Refer to a Committee
Reasons for referring to a committee:
Gather more information
Act on a motion
P.O. must specify when the committee should

report back to the organization. Usually next

regular meeting
Committee can give full power to act
Proper example:
Hon. Presiding Officer, I move that we refer
this motion to the Finance Committee
Hon. P.O., I move that we refer this motion to
a committee of three appointed by the chair

Amend

Changes, modifies, or
alters a main motion by:
Striking out
Inserting
Striking out and inserting
Adding

Amend
No more than two amendments can be
considered at one time.
Requires:
Second
Debatable
Amendable
Majority Vote

Amendments continued
Can be reconsidered
Improper amendments

frivolous or absurd
leave an incoherent wording
Proper Example:
Motion on floor: That the SB will buy a
laptop/computer.
Amendment: Hon. P.O., I move to amend the motion
by inserting brand new before laptop computer. So
the motion would read, I move that SB will buy brand
new laptop computer.

Amendment to an Amendment
Purpose

To modify an amendment to make it more

specific

Requires a second
Debatable
Not amendable
Majority vote
Can not interrupt a speaker
Proper Example:
Hon. P.O., I move to amend the amendment by
inserting Acer after brand new. So the final
motion with if all amendments pass would read,
I move that the SB will buy a brand new Acer
laptop computer.

Postpone Indefinitely
Kills motion without a direct vote.
Requires:

Second
Debatable
NON-Amendable
Majority Vote

INCIDENTAL MOTIONS

Motions that:
Correct ill-advised actions
Correct improper use of
parliamentary procedure.

Incidental Motions
Include the following:
Object to the
Consideration of
Question
Appeal from the
Decision of the Chair
Rise to a Point of
Order

Withdraw a Motion
Suspend the Rules
Call for Division of the
House
Rise to Parliamentary
Inquiry

Object to the Consideration of

Question
Stops offensive or inappropriate
measures.
Requires:
NO Second
Non-Debatable
Non-Amendable
Two-thirds Vote

Appeal from the Decision

of the Chair
Allows members to overrule chair
Requires:
Second
Debatable only if motion being overruled was
debatable

NON-Amendable
Majority Vote

Rise to Parliamentary
Inquiry
Check on parliamentary questions, or
ask how to carry out a parliamentary
ability.
Requires:
Nothing. Question presented by member is
address by the chair.

Call for a Division of the

House
Purpose

When called, this forces an immediate revote by hand

Requires countable vote, if voice vote was
announced incorrectly by chair.
Can only be called for after vote has been
announced.
Requires:
Nothing. Addressed by chair upon being called.
Proper form
Can be made by saying division loud enough for the
entire group to hear
Or by standing and saying I call for a division of the
house

Withdraw a Motion
Retracts motion proposed. Can only be
moved by member or proposed motion
being withdrawn.
Requires:
Nothing. If chair asks for objections and there
is none, withdraw stands. If there is an
objection, a majority vote is needed for
passage.

Suspend the Rules

Make exceptions to the IRP.
Requires:

Second
Non-Debatable
Non-Amendable
Two-thirds Vote
Proper example:
Hon. P.O., because of lack of time tonight, I move to

suspend the rules and skip directly to new business.

Unclassified Motions

Motions that do not fit

other parliamentary
categories
Motions usually pertain to
actions already taken at
previous meetings.

Unclassified Motions

Include the Following:

Reconsider
Rescind
Take from the Table

Reconsider

Purpose

to reevaluate a decision that was made earlier

Requires a second
Not amendable
Debatable
Majority vote
Only can be made by a person who voted on
the winning side
If passed the motion is handled immediately
if:
only a main motion with amendments is on the
floor.

Reconsider Continued

Handled after the current business if:

discussion on refer to committee, or postponement
has started.

Motions that can be reconsidered

Main motions
Amendments
Refer to committee
Postpone definitely
Previous question
Appeal the decision of the chair

Reconsider Continued

Proper Example
Hon. P.O., I move to reconsider the motion to buy a
laptop computer.

If passed, the motion to be reconsidered is

handled just as if it was never voted on

Rescind
Revoke or nullify previous
action.
Requires:
Second
Debatable
Amendable
Two-thirds Vote

To lay on the table

Purpose
To defer action on the motion until later in the
meeting or until the next meeting

Requires a second
Not amendable
Not debatable
Majority Vote
Can not interrupt another speaker
Proper example:
Hon. P.O., I move to lay this motion on the table

Take from the Table

Resume consideration of tabled motion.
Requires:

Second
Non-debatable
Non-amendable
Majority Vote
Proper Example
I move to take from the table the measure to buy
a boat.

Limit or Extend Debate

Purpose
To limit or lengthen the time allowed for discussion on a
motion when it is clear that there will be an extensive
discussion or when the time for the meeting is limited.

Requires a second
Debatable
Amendable
Focused only on the issue of time or number of
speakers only

2/3 Majority Vote

Can not interrupt another speaker

Limit / Extend Debate

Continued
Movant must specify
the length of time
the number of speakers that can debate on the
motion

Proper Example
Hon. P.O., I move that we limit debate on this motion
to 3 discussions for the motion and 3 discussions
against the motion.
Hon. P.O., I move to limit debate to a maximum of 5
minutes.

Point of Order
Used when a member thinks that the rules are

being violated.
Does not require a second
Not amendable &Not debatable
P.O. decides and rule on the issue raised
Can interrupt another speaker

Point of Order
Proper example
Hon. P.O., I rise to a point of order.
P.O. says, State your point
After member states point, president says your
point is well taken or Your point is not well taken

Orders of the Day

This motion forces the group to return to

the prepared agenda, without finishing the

current business.
Does not require a second
Not Amendable
Not Debatable
2/3 vote against to fail
Can only be made on motions that are not
on the agenda.

Orders of the Day

Procedure
Hon. P.O., I call for the orders of
the day.
P.O. should say, Orders of the
day has been called. All those
who wish to return to the order
of the day, raise your hand. All
those opposed to returning to
the order of the day, raise your
left hand.

DONTS OF A PRESIDING OFFICER

Dont fail to start the meeting on time.

Dont stand during the discussion of a
motion or while a report is being given.
Dont take part in the debate. If you
must speak, relinquish the chair to the
next ranking officer. Do not return to the
chair until the vote has been taken.
Dont allow members to deal in
personalities while debating.

 Dont say I Think, I appoint, It is my

opinion, My commissioner, My
chapter, but say The Chair thinks,
The Chair appoints, It is the Chairs
opinion, Our Commissioner.
Dont say You are out of order when you
mean The motion is out of order.
Dont strike the gavel any harder that
necessary to get attention of the members.
Dont lose your calmness, objectivity or
impartiality.

DONTS OF A MEMBER

Dont accept an office unless you are willing to

assume the responsibilities that goes with it.

Dont use your knowledge in Parliamentary

procedures to hinder meeting by emphasizing so
much with technicalities.

Dont fail to address all proposals and/or motions

to the Chair.

Dont leave the meeting, unless necessary, until

the chair declares the adjournment.

REMINDERS:
Remarks must be germane to the question before

the group.
Remarks should be addressed through the chair.
Speakers should stand when speaking. (However,
there is leniency to this when all the members
have been provided microphones in their tables)
Speakers should refrain from attacking another
member's motives.
A member shall not speak until recognized by the
chair.