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Oral Questions
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Oral Questions
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PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE TEAM COMPETITIVE EVENT
ORAL QUESTIONS
(Based on Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised)
Shane D. Dunbar, MEd, PRP, PAP
Professional Registered Parliamentarian, and
Professional Accredited Parliamentarian
dunbar@northwest.net.
There are TWO SETS of oral questions for the FFA Competitive event that are asked immediately after the ten minute demonstration:
- Individual questions. "The team members (not including the chair) wll be asked a planned question, which may include 1-3 parts, relating to their assigned motion. No one may step forward to help another member answer his or her individual question. The chair will be asked a question relating to presiding, debate, assigning the floor or other general parliamentary procedures."
The examples of individual questions and answers related to the assigned motions below are from past National CDE's.
- General questions. After the individual questions, "the judges may ask a maximum of six general questions to clarify the team's demonstration. Questions may be directed to the team or an individual member. Team members may volunteer to answer the question for the team or to help another member."
There are examples of general questions after the individual questions listed below. They were collected by Shane Dunbar from the National FFA CDE.
INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS RELATED TO ASSIGNED MOTIONS
(TEAM MEMBERS MAY NOT HELP ONE ANOTHER
TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS)
The reference for the national parliamentary procedure CDE oral questions related to the assigned motions is
Parliamentary Procedure Oral Questions, which is
described on page 2 on this web site.
THE ORAL QUESTIONS LISTED BELOW SHOULD NOT BE
STUDIED EXCLUSIVELY TO PREPARE A TEAM FOR THE NATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT EVENT
AMEND
Q: What vote is required to adopt Amend?
A: Majority
Q: What vote is required to adopt Amend on a motion that itself requires a 2/3 vote?
A: Majority
Q: According to Robert's Rules of Order, if an Amendment to strike out certain consecutive words fails you may renew the Amendment in four different ways. Please name three of those ways.
A: 1- strike out only part of the same words. 2- strike out all or part of the same words along with some others. 3- strike out all or part of the same words and insert different words. 4- strike out all or part of the same words along with some other words and insert different words.
Q: Assume you presented an Amendment and it was adopted. Are you required to vote in the
affirmative on the main question as amended now?
A: No, the member is free to vote as they choose.
Q: List the subsidiary motions to which Amend yields
A: Table, Previous Question, Limit or Extend Debate, Postpone Def, Refer
Q: Robert's Rules of Order states that an Amendment to the first degree and an Amendment to the second degree, as well as an Amendment to the main motion and an Amendment to the Amendment are correct expressions of an Amendment. However, what does he state that the preferred expressions of Amend are?
A: An Amendment should be expressed as a primary Amendment and a secondary Amendment.
Q: Please give us the methods of Amending a motion.
A: Insert, Add, Strike out, Strike out and insert, Substitute
Q: A motion to amend the bylaws is what type of motion?
A: A Main Motion.
Q: What vote is taken on the motion to Amend the bylaws?
A: 2/3
Q: When does an Amendment to the By-Laws go into effect?
A: Immediately when it is adopted, unless the motion to amend specifies another time.
Q: During your demonstration you demonstrated how to properly amend a motion which may be
amended. Please give me six motions which may not be amended.
A: Adjourn, when used as a privileged motion
A: Appeal
A: Amend an amendment to an unbeatable motion
A: Dall for the Orders of the Day
A: Division of the Assembly
A: Reconsider
A:. Table
A: Parliamentary Inquiry
A: Point of Information
A: Previous Question
A: Point of Order
A: Raise a Question of Privilege
A: Withdraw
A: Suspend
A: Take from the Table
A: Objection to the Consideration of a Question
APPEAL
Q: Assume you are the Chair at a meeting, and a member Appeals a ruling you made. Explain four rules relating to your rights as Chair in debating.
A: The Chair may speak twice.
A: The Chair is entitled to preference in debate in speaking twice.
A: The Chair may speak a second time at the close of debate.
A: The Chair can give reasons without leaving the chair.
Q: Which motions does Appeal yield to?
A: All privileged motions if they are in order according to precedence at that time. (6pts.) All incidental motions arising out of itself.
CALL FOR THE ORDERS OF THE DAY
Q: Assume that a special order has been made for 3 P.M. Thereafter, one has been made for 2 P.M. Later, a special order is set on 4 P.M. Explain how each special order is to be considered.
A: At 2 p.m. that special order is taken up even if it interrupts a general order. If the 2p.m. order is not complete at 3:00, you must take the 3p.m. order as it was made first. One the 3p.m. order is completed, even if it is passed 4p.m., the 2p.m. order is then completed because it was set before the 4p.m. order, at the completion of the 3p.m. order and the 2p.m. order the 4p.m. order is taken up.
DIVISION OF A QUESTION
Q: Name three Subsidiary motions that Division of the Question yields to.
A: Lay on the Table
A: Previous Question
A: Postpone Definitely
A: Refer to a Committee
Q: There is an amendment to the main motion pending. Is the motion to divide the question in order? Why or why not?
A: NO, because the Amendment has precedence is this case.
Q: Is the Divide The Question in order after a Previous Question has been ordered?
A: Yes.
DIVISION OF THE ASSEMBLY
Q: Robert's Rules of Order gives two reasons why a member may call for a Division after a voice vote. What are the two reasons?
A: The results appear close.
A:He/She doubts that a representative number of members have voted.
Q: Under what conditions may Division require a vote?
A: If the member makes it in the form of a motion as to require a count of the votes.
Q: When a member calls Division and the chair takes a vote by standing, must that vote be counted?
A: No
Q: Please explain a vote retaken at the Chair's initiative.
A: If the Chair is uncertain of the vote, or the Chair feels the vote is unrepresentative of his own accord, the Chair can take the vote again, by rising, which is in effect a Division Of The Assembly.
Q: Please fully explain the dilatory use of Division of the Assembly.
A When it is clear there has been a full vote and there can be no reasonable doubt as to which side is in the majority a Division is said to be dilatory.
Q: When should a Division be ruled out of order?
A: When it is obvious there has been a full vote and no reasonable doubt as to which side was a Majority.
Q: There are six circumstances when Suspend The Rules is not in order. Please give us 4 of those.
A: 1. Conflict with by-laws. 2. Conflict of constitution 3. Conflict with local laws. 4. Conflict with state laws. 5. Conflict with national laws. 6. Fundamental principle of parliamentary law.
Q: Suppose a vote has been taken on a motion and it carried. A member has made another main motion, but it has not been restated. Would Division be in order? Why or why not?
A: Yes, it is in order until the chair has stated the question on another motion.
FIX THE TIME TO WHICH TO ADJOURN
Q: Explain the difference between the qualified and unqualified forms of Fix time.
A: Fix Time is qualified if it is made when no other business is pending. It is unqualified if made while business is pending.
Q: What type of motion is it if it is made in the unqualified form?
A: It is an incidental main motion.
LAY ON THE TABLE
Q: What is the purpose of Lay on the Table?
A: To get to more urgent business.
Q: To which motions does Lay On The Table yield?
A: To all privileged motions and to motions that are incidental to itself.
Q: Under what conditions may the motion Lay On The Table be reconsidered?
A: A negative vote on the motion only until such time that it can be renewed.
Q: What subsidiary motions may be applied to Lay on the Table?
A: There are none.
Q: If someone moves to "Lay the motion on the table until the next meeting," what should the Chair do?
A: Rule the Lay on the Table out of order, because it cannot be qualified in any way.
LIMIT OR EXTEND LIMITS OF DEBATE
Q: Please give thee ways that Limit or Extend Debate can be used to place limits on debate.
A: Limiting the length of debate.
A: Limiting the number of debates.
A: Closing debate at a specific time, or hour.
Q:What are the rules governing limiting or extending debate in a committee?
A: The motion is not allowed.
Q: What vote is taken on limit or extend debate if it is made as an incidental main
motion?
A: 2/3 vote required.
Q: There are three conditions under which an order limiting or extending limits of debate is said to be exhausted. What are those conditions?
A: When all the questions on which it was imposed have been voted on.
A: When those questions affected by the order and not yet voted on, have been referred or postponed indefinitely.
A: At the conclusion of the session in which the order to limit has been adopted—whichever of the three occurs first.
OBJECTION TO THE CONSIDERATION OF A QUESTION
Q: If a motion has been Objected to, and the Objection is sustained, how may the Main Motion be brought before the assembly again at this meting?
A: Unanimous Consent
A: Reconsideration of the Objection
Q: Besides original Main Motions, to which motions may Object be applied?
A: Petitions and Communications that are not from a superior body.
PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY
Q: Does Parliamentary Inquiry require a second?
A: No
Q: What vote is taken?
A: No vote is taken
Q:A parliamentary inquiry has two purposes. Name both of these.
A: 1- obtain information on a matter of parliamentary law. 2- obtain information on the rules of the organization regarding the business at hand.
Q: Is Parliamentary Inquiry amendable?
A: No
Q: May Parliamentary Inquiry be reconsidered?
A: No
Q: Besides the Chair, to whom should the Parliamentary Inquiry be addressed?
A: It can be made to the Chair only.
Q: May the reply on a Parliamentary Inquiry be appealed, why or why not?
A: NO, because it is an opinion and not a ruling.
Q: Under what conditions may the Chair defer a ruling on Parliamentary Inquiry?
A: If someone else has the floor and an immediate answer is not necessary the chair may defer until the floor is yielded.
Q: What vote is required for adoption?
A: No vote is required
POINT OF ORDER
Q: Give three examples when Point of Order may be raised on the Chair.
A: If the Chair fails to see the rules of the assembly are violated.
A: If the Chair assigns the floor to the wrong person.
A: If the Chair fails to rule out of order a main motion that is outside the society's objects as defined by the bylaws.
A: If the Chair fails to rule out of order a main motion that is outside the announced purpose for which the meeting was called.
Q: Assume you call a point of order while someone is debating an amendment. Before the chair can rule on the point of order another member moves to lay the main motion on the table. As the member who called point of order what can you do? Explain your answer.
A: Nothing because lay on the table and all privilege motions have precedence.
Q: Assume the Chair fails to restate an original main motion that has been seconded. You Rise to a Point of Order. The Chair does not recognize your Point of Order. What can you do about this situation?
A: You can restate your Point of Order and if it is seconded and the Chair still ignores the Point of Order, you may put the Point of Order to a vote yourself in place of the Chair.
POSTPONE INDEFINITELY
Q: Name three debatable subsidiary motions that have precedence over Postpone Indefinitely.
A: Postpone Definitely, Refer, and Amend.
Q: When may Postpone Indefinitely be reconsidered?
A: When the vote was affirmative only.
Q:. A main motion has been Referred to a committee. Can the committee Postpone Indefinitely? Why or why not?
A:NO, because it can only be a recommendation and not an action.
Q: When can Postponed Indefinitely be reconsidered?
A: On an affirmative vote.
Q: May Postpone Indefinitely be applied to Incidental Main Motions?
A: NO
Q: To what motions does Postpone Indefinitely apply?
A: Main Motions only.
POSTPONE TO A CERTAIN TIME
Q: The motion postpone definitely allows for action on the pending question to be postponed within certain limits. What are the 4 limitations?
A: 1. Definite day 2. To a meeting 3. To a specified hour 4. After a certain event has taken place.
PREVIOUS QUESTION
Q: Assume you have a pending primary amendment. You call for the Previous Question. It carries. The amendment fails. There is more debate on the original motion. Is Previous Question in order at this time? Why or why not?
A: Yes, because it was not made in the qualified form originally.
Q: The adoption of the Previous Question does not stop the making of privileged motions. What other class of motions, and a particular motion does it also not stop from being made?
A: 1- Incidental motions. (4 pts.) 2- calling for a special order set for a particular hour.
Q: To which Privileged Motions may Previous Question apply?
A: Fix Time
A: Recess
Q: Previous Question may be Reconsidered under what two conditions?
A: If vote was negative.
A: If affirmative vote, but only before any vote is taken under the Previous Question.
RAISE A QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE
Q: List the Privileged motions which take precedence over Question of Privilege.
A: Fix Time to Adjourn, Adjourn, Recess.
Q: What vote is required to adopt Question of Privilege?
A: No vote is taken. It is ruled by the Chair.
RECESS
Q: If you move to take a recess in twenty minutes, and there is no business pending what kind of motion is recess?
A: Main (or incidental main).
Q: If a Recess is pre-scheduled for a set time at this meeting, and that time has passed, what should you do to insure the Recess is taken?
A: Call for Orders Of The Day.
Q: What vote would be required to postpone a pre-scheduled Recess?
A: 2/3 vote.
Q: If you move to take a recess in twenty minutes, and there is business pending what kind of motion is recess?
A: That motion is out of order because it is only in order when no business is pending.
RECONSIDER
Q:Reconsider is in order during Special and Standing committee meetings under what two circumstances?
A: When made by a member who voted on the prevailing side.
A: When made by someone who did not vote at all.
Q: Robert’s gives four purposes for the motion Reconsider. Please give us three of the four.
A: Permit correction of:
1. Hasty decision 2. Ill advised action 3. Erroneous actions 4. Take into account added information since the vote.
Q: What motions does Reconsider yield to?
A: None.
REFER TO A COMMITTEE
Q: When may the motion Refer be laid on the table?
A: It cannot be tabled, however, when it applies to a main motion it goes to the table with the main motion.
Q: Does Refer require a second?
A: Yes
Q: Is Refer debatable?
A:. Yes
Q: When a question has been referred to a special committee to implement an order of the assembly there are two primary considerations regarding the composition of the committee that must be given. What are these two considerations?
A: The committee should be small, and consist of only those in favor of the action to be carried out. If anyone appointed to the committee is not in sympathy they should ask to be excused.
Q: What vote is required for adoption?
A: Majority
RESCIND
Q: Give two cases where the motion to Rescind would not be in order.
A: When the main motion has been previously moved for Reconsideration.
A: When something has been done on the main motion and it is impossible to undo it.
A: When a resignation has been acted on, or when a person has been elected to or expelled from office, or membership, and has been officially notified of the action.
SUSPEND THE RULES
Q: List the Subsidiary motions that can be applied to Suspend the Rules.
A: There are none.
Q: Suspend the Rules can be applied to any rules of the assembly except what?
A: Rules of the By-Laws
TAKE FROM THE TABLE
Q: Please list the subsidiary motions which apply to take from the table.
A: There are none.
Q: What motions does Take From The Table take precedence over?
A: None, no pending motion.
Q: What are the conditions that allow Take From The Table to be Reconsidered?
A: It cannot be Reconsidered.
Q: What methods of amending can be applied to Take From The Table?
A: None, it cannot be amended.
Q: If a motion is taken from the table on the same day it was tabled, what rules apply to members that have exhausted their debate on the tabled motion?
A: They may not debate again.
Q: If a motion is taken from the table on another day other than when it was tabled, what rules apply to members that have exhausted their debate on the tabled motion?
A: No notice of previous debate is made and the rules of original debate apply.
WITHDRAW A MOTION
Q: May a motion that has been withdrawn after debate, be renewed?
A: Yes
Q: Under what conditions may a motion to Reconsider be Withdrawn?
A: With unanimous consent. (6 pts.) , after is too late for the renewal of Reconsider.
Q: Under what conditions may a member ask the maker of a motion to Withdraw that motion?
A: Before it has been restated, and if a fact is pointed out the maker would likely Withdraw the motion anyway.
Q: Can anyone other than the mover of the motion to request permission to withdraw a motion be granted?
A: YES
Q: If someone else does move the motion is a second required?
A: NO
Q: When is permission required to withdraw a motion?
A: After the question has been stated as pending by the chair.
Q: If a motion has been withdrawn, may that same motion be presented again at the same meeting?
Explain your answer.
A: Yes, because it's as if the motion never existed.
QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAIR
Q: There are four kinds of rules which a society or a group may adopt. The first kind of rule is Corporate Charter. What are the other three kinds of rules?
A: Rules of the Constitution & Bylaws
A: Rules of Order
A: Standing Rules
Q: When considering subsidiary motions as a class a motions they are distinguished as having four characteristics. What are these characteristics?
A1- they are always applied to another motion while it's pending. 2- they can be applied to any main motion while it is pending. 3- they fit into an order precedence. 4- the time when they are in order extends from the moment the question to which they are applied is stated until the vote on the motion begins.
Q: What is the standard order of business for regular meetings of ordinary societies?
A:
1st Reading and approval of minutes.
2nd Reports of officers, boards, and standing committees.
3rd Reports of special committees
4th Special Orders
5th Unfinished Business
6th New Business
Q: How should the chair refer to himself during a business meeting?
A: Only in the third person. They should not say "me" or "I".
Q: Please give us the cases where the assembly can adjourn without a motion.
A: If the hour for adjourning a meeting has been prescheduled and that hour has arrived the meeting can be adjourned without a motion.
A: If business is complete the chair can adjourn the meeting after asking for further business without a motion.
Q: Assume that a motion to Refer the main questions to a committee is pending and you have asked for required details and none were offered. What do you do?
A: The motion should be voted on in its simple form as presented. If it passes the details must be completed.
Q: A Motion is postponed to 4:30pm. Later, another motion is postponed to 4:15pm. Please tell us what you would do in each of the following situations;
1. The 4:15pm question is taken up at 4:25pm and it is now 4:30pm. What do you do?
2. It is 4:30pm and the 4:15pm question has not been taken up. How do you proceed?
A: 1. Continue the 4:15pm question without interruption.
2. Take up the 4:30pm question, because it has precedence since it was postponed first. The 4:15pm question will then be taken up.
Q: If a member makes a motion and another member did not hear it clearly, there are three options open to the chair. What are these options?
A: 1- ask the maker to restate the motion. 2- secretary restates. 3- chair restates.
Q: Robert`s Rules of Order lists eleven duties of the presiding officer of an assembly. Please give us those 11 duties.
A: Open meeting at appointed time
A: Announce the proper sequence of business
A: Recognize members entitled to the floor
A: To re-state and put to vote all legitimate questions
A: To protect assembly from frivolous motions
A: Enforce rules of debate and decorum
A: Expedite business for the good of members
A: To decide all questions of order—subject to appeal
A: To respond to inquires relating to Parliamentary Procedure
A: To sign documents as necessary
A: To declare the meeting adjourned either with or without a motion
Q: Assume a motion to Fix the Time has been adopted previously in the meeting. Assume a Main Motion is being debated and at least two members have exhausted their debate. We are now in the adjourned meeting. What are the rules governing debate for the two members and the rest of the members?
A: Each member is given two debates because it is a new day.
GENERAL QUESTIONS TO CLARIFY THE TEAM'S PRESENTATION
(TEAM MEMBERS MAY HELP ONE ANOTHER
TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS)
- Member Two: What was your urgent business you used when you made the motion to Lay on the Table?
- Member Three: Is it always necessary for the chair to respond immediately to a Point of Order?
- Member Five: Is the motion to Postpone Indefinitely always a subsidiary motion?
- Member Six: Who becomes the committee chair on the Referral to a Committee if the chair names the committee?
- Madam Chairman: Does Robert require that the chair must state the rules for each motion before it is acted on?
- Member Two: Why did you make the motion to Lay on the Table?
- Mr. Chairman: Does the chair have to ask for more debate after members have concluded their discussions?
- Madam Secretary: Please read the required motion in your minutes.
- Member Two: Please state the wording you used when you made the required motion.
- Member Four: Please restate how you made the motion, Division of a Question.
- Mr. Chairman: One of the members made a motion to Table, but did not indicate what the urgent business was. What should you have done?
- Mr. Chairman: The standing affirmative vote on your main motion was unanimous. Should you have asked for the negative vote?
- Member Four: Who seconded your motion to Appeal? Does it require a second?
- Madam Chairman: Does the motion to Withdraw require recognition from the Chair?
- Member Five: You made the motion to Postpone Indefinitely, but debated against it. Why?
- Member Two: You moved to amend by adding "next year." Did you specify the day?
- Madam Chairman: What are the differences in using the gavel as described in Robert's Rules of Order and the FFA?
- Madam Secretary: When was the committee going to report back?
- Mr. Chairman: Do all members need to second motions simultaneously?
- Madam Chairman: Is it proper to use the statement "same sign" when taking the negative vote on a motion?
- Member Three: What is the purpose of Lay on the Table?
- Member Six: What was your reason in making the motion to Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn?
- Member Four: Is it necessary for the maker of the motion to Refer to include the statement "the chair appoints the chair?"
- Member Three: Your moved to amend by adding the word "picnic." Was that germane?
- Member Five: What is the purpose of an amendment?
- Mr. Secretary: When you referred the motion to a committee "with power to act," what does this mean?
- Member Two: Was the Appeal you made debatable?
- Member Six: Why did you give a reason when you made the motion to Table?
- Member three: Why did you move to Extend Debate to three times per member?
- Member Four: How may a member move to Withdraw a motion?
- Member Six: What is the purpose of the motion to Appeal?
- Member Four: Why did you refer the required main motion to a committee?
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