Leadership Chapel Hill-Carrboro (Leadership) is an extensive program designed to inform, develop, connect, and engage committed and emerging leaders in Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro. This presentation was delivered by Chamber President and CEO, Aaron Nelson, on June 9, 2022.

1. Parliamentary Procedure &
Robert’s Rules of Order
June 9, 2022
Presented by: Aaron Nelson

2. Why?

3. Some Fundamentals
- One person at a time
- Only one thing at a time
- It takes two people for an idea to be a good idea
- Respectful communication and debate
- Clarity on the decisions made
- Clear order of operations
- A path to solve (most) problems

4. I want to Make a Motion
“I would like to make a motion that….”
“I move that…”
Requires a ‘second’ to be considered by
the group

5. I want to open debate on the motion
“I would like to second the motion”
This opens debate
The mover and the seconder have great control and can, when in
agreement, incorporate or reject proposed modifications to their
motion
Nearly everything needs a second

6. I want to Amend a motion
“I move we amend the motion to read…”
“I move we strike … and add …”
Must be germane
A “friendly amendment” is one that is accepted by the mover and
seconder and does not require a vote of the assembly
Inserting or striking out words or paragraphs, or substituting whole
paragraphs or resolutions

7. I want to Call for a Vote – close debate
“I call the question”
Not debatable
A single objection puts you right back into discussion
“I call the Previous Question”
Forces a vote on voting
The chair will immediately ask the assembly to vote on whether to vote on
the motion or the amendment

8. I want to Ask a Question
“Point of Order”
Used to ask a question of the chair about process or the question before
the assembly”
Used to point out an infraction of the rules, or improper decorum in
speaking. Must be raised immediately after the error is made
“Point of Parliamentary Inquiry”
Inquire as to the correct motion - to accomplish a desired result, or raise a
point of order

9. I want to Postpone or Resume a Vote
“I would like to table to motion until DATE or TIME.”
State the time the motion or agenda item will be resumed
“I would like to remove the motion from the table”
“I would like to table/postpone this item indefinitely”
Kills the question/resolution for this session - exception: the motion to
reconsider can be made this session

10. I want to Defeat a Motion
Speak against it
Vote NO

11. I want to Pass a Motion or Amendment
Speak in favor
Vote YES

12. I want to vote YES on one part and NO on another
“I move we divide the motion”
Must have a second to be considered

13. I want to limit or extend debate
(Closing debate at a certain time or limiting to a certain period of time)
I move we end debate and vote immediately in 10 minutes.”
“I move we extend debate until 6 o’clock”
Must have a second to be considered

14. I want to reconsider what we just decided
“I make a motion to reconsider …”
Not debatable
Must be made by someone on the prevailing side of the motion

15. A Few Other Things
Quorum: 50% +1 of the body. For a 15 member group, 8 is a quorum
Majority: 50% +1 of the YES and NO votes. A vote of 3 YES, 2 NO and 3
abstentions is a majority vote and would pass.
Commit /Refer/Recommit to Committee: State the committee to receive
the question or resolution; if no committee exists include size of committee
desired and method of selecting the members (election or appointment).
Object to Consideration: Objection must be stated before discussion or
another motion is stated

16. A Few Other Things
Committee of the Whole: informal debate as if in committee; All votes,
however, are formal. Can be used when no quorum is present. Actions
must be ratified by a quorum
Appeal Decision of the Chair: Appeal for the assembly to decide - must
be made before other business is resumed; NOT debatable if relates to
decorum, violation of rules or order of business
Suspend the Rules: Allows a violation of the assembly's own rules
(except Constitution); the object of the suspension must be specified

17. And a Few More
The Chair can vote
Ex-Officio members
Conflicts of Interest
Bylaws

18. Let’s Practice
By Making a Sandwich… as a group

19. Small Miracles
Lets Begin…

20. ACHIEVING CONSENSUS

21. ACHIEVING CONSENSUS WITH OUR HANDS

22. Five Fingers –
Strongly Support
5 fingers – Strong Support
“I am excited to support this
proposal and am willing to help
implement it.”

23. Four Fingers -
Support
4 fingers – Support
“I support this proposal.”

24. Three Fingers –
Declaring Reservations
3 fingers - Declaring
Reservations
“ I still have problems but I
will go along with it” “I’m
in the middle somewhere.
Like some of it, but not
all.”

25. Two Fingers –
Standing Aside
2 fingers – Standing Aside
“I’ll just barely go along” or, “I
don’t like this but it's not quite a
no." or “I can’t support the
proposal because … But I don’t
want to stop the group, so I will let
the decision happen without me
and won’t be a part of
implementing it.”

26. One Finger - Blocking
1 Finger – A Block
“I have a fundamental
disagreement with the core
of the proposal. We need to
look for a new proposal”

27. One to Five Finger
Voting and Consensus
• 5 fingers – HIGH FIVE
• 4 fingers – YES
• 3 fingers – OK…
• 2 fingers – No, But I’ll stand aside
• 1 finger - “The Block” (and a
suggestion is requested)

28. And Finally
Consensus