2014 South Carolina Nurses Association Convention

2014 South Carolina Nurses Association
general consent is evidenced by a group, the importance of following parliamentary procedure becomes
primarily that of maintaining the orderly conduct of a meeting.
Democratic principles basic to the appropriate conduct of a meeting are as follows:
1. Justice and courtesy to all.
2. One thing at a time
3. Rule of the majority
4. Right of the minority to be heard.
The rules contained in the latest edition of ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER shall govern meetings of
this association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these
bylaws.
SOME RULES OF DEBATE
1. Recognition by the chair is, of course, the first step in presenting a motion.
2. Time will be saved if members will think carefully before wording a motion so as not to make it
too long, say what they really want and not include points of discussion in the motion.
3. All motions, other than those of a personal nature, must be in writing.
4. No business involving any kind of action should be conducted without a motion.
5. All main motions are debatable.
6. Debate begins after the motion is made.
7. Debate should be limited to the motion before the assembly.
8. Proposer of the motion may speak to it first.
9. Proposer of the motion may not speak against his/her motion, but may vote against it.
10. Address remarks through the presiding officer; do not speak directly to other members during
debate.
11. Avoid personalities. The motion is under discussion not the proposer.
12. The presiding officer should not enter into debate and cannot close debate.
13. Voting may be done by general consent (silence). Chair says, “If there is no objection, the report
will be accepted as information.”
14. The Chair votes only if his/her vote will change the result or break a tie. If his/her vote creates a
tie, the motion is lost.
RONR: Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised 11th Edition
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