Parliamentary Procedure
NFL
Student Congress runs through the method of Parliamentary Procedure
that originated from Robert's Rules of Order. It is unnecessary to
memorize any motions because you are allowed to use this
chart during rounds. A congressperson makes a motion by either raising
their placard or standing and then addressing the motion to the PO.
Almost all motions need to be second-ed and then voted upon.
Important Motions
At the start of the day, three motions should be made to expedite the session.
1.
Move to suspend the rules to allow an open chamber. (Allows people to
enter/leave the chamber without direct permission from the PO.)
2. Move to suspend the rules to ask questions directly to the speaker. (Instead of the PO.)
3.
Move to suspend the rules to not read the legislation before debate. (Saves time and reading the
legislation is rather pointless if everyone has a copy already.)
These three motions are the most commonly used in a round
1. Move to previous question-Permanently ends debate on the piece of legislation and it is voted upon.
2. Move to table the piece of legislation-Ends debate on a piece of legislation temporarily.
3. Point of Order-Used when the PO violates parliamentary procedure.
Click
here for a pdf document of
commonly used parliamentary procedures. You can also refer to the
NFL Congress Manual for more
detailed information.