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'''Parliamentary procedure''' is the set of rules governing meetings and deliberations by [[Congress]], [[parliament]]s and most meetings by societies.  There are two competing codes:  [[Robert's Rules of Order]] and [[Sturgis' Code of Parliamentary Procedure]].

'''Parliamentary procedure''' is the set of rules governing meetings and deliberations by [[Congress]], [[parliament]]s and most meetings by societies.  There are two competing codes:  [[Robert's Rules of Order]] and [[Sturgis' Code of Parliamentary Procedure]].

Robert's Rules of Order is used by Congress, and is more complex.  Robert's Rules can be read online here: http://www.rulesonline.com/  Sturgis' Code has the advantage of simplicity.

 

Robert's Rules of Order is used by Congress, and is more complex.<ref> Robert's Rules can be read online here: http://www.rulesonline.com/</ref> Sturgis' Code has the advantage of simplicity.  An organization's bylaws, or tradition, defines which set of rules it uses.  On basic points, there is little difference between the two sets of rules, but a master of procedure can cite obscure provisions in or the other as appropriate to help his cause.

The source of Robert's Rules was originally Congress itself.  In 1876 General Henry M. Robert first published the rules of Congress for the benefit of membership societies that required deliberative meetings.

The source of Robert's Rules was originally Congress itself.  In 1876 General Henry M. Robert first published the rules of Congress for the benefit of membership societies that required deliberative meetings.

Motions are the essence of a parliamentary meeting, whether it be Congress, a state legislature, or a local Republican club.  A motion is brought as follows:

Motions are the essence of a parliamentary meeting, whether it be Congress, a state legislature, or a local Republican club.  A motion is brought as follows:

*a member of the meeting rises and addresses the Chairman

*a member of the meeting rises and addresses the Chairman.

*the Chairman recognizes the member and allows him to speak

*the Chairman recognizes the member and allows him to speak.

*the member says, "I move that ..."  The Chairman does not have to recognize a motion lacking that proper beginning

*the member says, "I move that ...," and includes a brief argument in favor of his motion before or after stating it. The Chairman does not have to recognize a motion is not state properly with the magic words, "I move that ...."

*any member, without waiting for recognition, can declare "I second the motion," or simply "second!"

*any member, without waiting for recognition, can declare "I second the motion," or simply "second!"

*only if there is a "second" to the motion will the Chairman recognize, and restate, the motion

*only if there is a "second" to the motion will the Chairman recognize, and restate, the motion.

Obviously how the motion is phrased has a big effect on whether it passes.  A motion phrased as, "I move that this organization adopt the same national platform adopted by the Republican Party" might a greater chance of success among Republicans than a motion that picks out a controversial provision in that platform.  Just as a football team puts much thought into the plays that it will use when it has the ball in a game, much thought ''beforehand'' should be given to the content of motions before they are brought.  That planning should include anticipation of possible defensive or countermeasures against the motion.

Obviously how the motion is phrased has a big effect on whether it passes.  A motion phrased as, "I move that this organization adopt the same national platform adopted by the Republican Party" might a greater chance of success among Republicans than a motion that picks out a controversial provision in that platform.  Just as a football team puts much thought into the plays that it will use when it has the ball in a game, much thought ''beforehand'' should be given to the content of motions before they are brought.  That planning should include anticipation of possible defensive or countermeasures against the motion.