There must be a Chairman to call on people and resolve disputes about procedure. One of the first acts of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was to elect George Washington as its Chairman. The Chairman has significant power under parliamentary procedure. He recognizes speakers and can cut them off. He can declare motions to be "out of order" and thus not suitable for discussion or vote. He decides disputes about procedure. He can ask for advice of legal counsel on a contentious issue if he thinks it will be advantageous to his own views on the issue. Perhaps most important of all, he can end the meeting on his own once it extends beyond its scheduled time, as often happens. This can prevent continuation of debate on a contentious issue. The Chairman also has influence over the scheduling of agenda items before the meeting is adjourned.
There must be a Chairman to call on people and resolve disputes about procedure. One of the first acts of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was to elect George Washington as its Chairman. The Chairman has significant power under parliamentary procedure. He recognizes speakers and can cut them off. He can declare motions to be "out of order" and thus not suitable for discussion or vote. He decides disputes about procedure. He can ask for advice of legal counsel on a contentious issue if he thinks it will be advantageous to his own views on the issue. Perhaps most important of all, he can end the meeting on his own once it extends beyond its scheduled time, as often happens. This can prevent continuation of debate on a contentious issue. The Chairman also has influence over the scheduling of agenda items before the meeting is adjourned.
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Out of courtesy to appear impartial, the Chairman usually does not vote except to break a tie.
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Out of courtesy to appear impartial, the Chairman usually does not vote except to break a tie. In small groups or meetings, it is more common for the Chairman to vote. <ref> http://www.parlipro.org/faqanswers.htm</ref>
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But each member of a parliamentary session also has significant powers of his own. Each member has the right to speak and the right to bring motions.
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In order to remain impartial, the Chairman does not usually make motions. However, the Chairman can encourage motions by saying something like "The chairman will entertain a motion to..." or "Is there a motion to suspend the rules that interfere with hearing the speaker at this time?"<ref>http://www.parlipro.org/faqanswers.htm</ref>
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Motions are how business is conducted under parliamentary procedure. There is no general right to discussion. If there is no pending motion, then the Chairman can suggest adjournment. Discussion takes place only in the context of a pending motion that has been brought by a member of the body.
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Each member of a parliamentary session also has significant powers of his own. Each member has the right to speak, vote and bring motions. If the Chairman is a member, he also has these rights.
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'''Motions''' are the means by which business is conducted under parliamentary procedure. There is no general right to discussion. If there is no pending motion, then the Chairman can suggest adjournment. Discussion takes place only in the context of a pending motion that has been brought by a member of the body.