Day 173: Parliamentary Procedure 101 pt. 1

Our Parliamentary Procedure Lecture, part of the SK Governance program, was held today, 12^th of July 2013, at (can you believe it?) Sangguniang Panglungsod Session Hall! Yes!

Before the lecture/workshop, we we’re invited by our speaker to secure permission from the Vice Mayor’s for the use of the facility. The request was granted. On the day, the staffs have been very accommodating and the hall was so fitting for the said lecture. The facility and total ambience welcomed the participants for the lecture’s invitation of a healthy mental calisthenics.

We had an awesome time with more than 30 young people, prospective SK Officials and students, and guests.

The company was participative enough to thoroughly practice what Mrs. Rosalinda Mondido taught. They had a workshop and Kervin Cang became the mock session’s Presiding Officer, proponents of the discussed motion were Metuschella Lasdoce and Vlademir Durban, Jr.

Basic Principles in Parliamentary Procedure.

1. Every member has equal right, whether to vote or discuss.
2. Majority, i.e., Simple Majority (1/2+1), always rules; however,
3. Minority must be heard and rights be protected.
4. There should be singularity of subject having one subject at a time.
5. Debate and free discussion is allowed, must be allowed.
6. Motions are to be voted upon.
7. The Presiding Officer must be impartial, fair.
8. Courtesy to others during meeting, decorum, is observed in any proceedings.

But what is “decorum”?

In Mrs. Mondido’s words, “In parliamentary parlance, the term decorum refers to the propriety of conduct and decency of words or speech of members in a deliberative body or assembly.”

The Rules of Decorum…

…should be known by any participant of a Parliamentary Procedure. Remember to observe:

• Impersonal and formal reference to the Presiding Officer
• Impersonal and formal reference to another member.
• Pertinence of statements to issue discussed.
• Remarks, questions, or answers are coursed to the Chair.
• Speaking against own motion is not allowed.
• Time limit! As how Mrs. Mondido [link] suggested, only 2 minutes for each speaker.
• Civility of conduct is expected – on all members.
• No monopoly of discussion or debate.
• Changing of votes may be made by members.
• Seeking recognition first before speaking.
• Timing of “motion to adjourn”. It must not be done if someone is speaking or has the floor.
• That motion of reporting committee chairman or member needs no second.
• Impartiality of the Chair.
• That exercise of right has limit.

Interpellation Rules!

Ma’am Mondido kept it plain:

• Be honest in asking questions
• Avoid embarrassing questions
• Avoid fault-finding questions
• Avoid questions that tend to cross examine or interrogate.
• Avoid asking more than two successive questions at a time.
• Graciously acknowledge the answer.
• Never argue with the respondent.

Any more words?

Glory be to God in all of these feats! There are other things that we have learned. I may post it soon. I’ll link the two posts for review.

Tomorrow will be last session for this program, SK Budgeting. This ought to be fun!

Also, have time to click this link for the schedule and program of the Kal’ton Festival.

Happy 3^rd Kal’ton Festival Fatima!