PO LANGUAGE

By Mike Bruk
Adapted from Presiding for Dummies by Jack Soltysik

Opening Session
When the session starts, say I will be running an open chamber. Therefore, you may exit the chamber as you please, but please be courteous of our fellow representatives and wait outside the chamber if a speech is in session. I will also be keeping speaking order (and/or standing order) I will not be calling for any motions, so feel free to raise a motion to the floor in between speeches. My gaveling procedures are as follows: When you have 30 seconds left I will tap once(tap), when you have 15 seconds left, I will tap twice(tap, tap), and when your time has elapsed, I will pound 3 times(tap, tap, tap). I will also give you a 5 second grace period, before which I will begin to gavel you down. I ask that no one abuses this grace period, in an effort to get in as many speeches as possible. Are there any questions (Pound Gavel!) I now call this session to order at(insert time) The first order of business on the agenda is bill(# and title) If there are no objections, I will wave the reading of this bill Seeing none I now call on a 4 minute authorship speech, is there such a speech?

I now call on 3 minutes of questioning Seeing no author present, I now call on a 3 minute sponsorship speech, is there such a speech? Seeing as that was a 4/3 minute speech in affirmation, I now call on a 3 minute speech in negation, is there such a speech? I will now call on 2 minutes of questioning

Motions
Motion to untable a bill
To untable bill --- we must first table bill ---. (ask) Is there such a motion at this time to table bill ---. (if there is a motion say) seeing a motion to table bill --- has been made, is there a second. I now ask for all in favor of tabling bill --- to raise their hands(if it is passed, go on to vote on removing bill --- from the table, if it is failed, say This motion has not been passed and thus the flow of debate will continue)

Motion to table a bill

Requires a second Then requires a majority vote

Motion to previous questioning

Not needed if 60 minute time limit on a bill has elapsed Requires a second Requires a 2/3 vote to be passed

If it is passed follow voting procedures and write on the board the votes(in the form of yays-nays-obstained) Then write P for Pass of F for Fail next to the bill, and continue with the next bill Waive the reading of this bill, authorships, etc

Motion to recess
Requires a time amount when asked for(I call for a 5 minute recess) If no time limit is specified, do not act on it. This motion requires a second and then a simple majority Make sure to keep recesses under 10 minutes

Motion to adjourn.
At the end of each session

Points
Point of Parliamentary procedure
Someone will try to prove you did something wrong

Point of Personal inquiry

Questions or confusion from one of the representatives

Questioning
Always call on the person with the least number of questions For a two part question ask will the speaker submit to a two part question

If the speaker asks to restate a question, you ask the questioner May you please restate your question? Make sure there is not cross debating between speakers and questioners, and if there is ask for none of it.

Things To Keep In Mind

If questions and or answers have become to long and have taken to much time, say, In an effort to get the greatest number of questions in I ask for questions and answers to be brief. CONSTANTLY give updates on participation. Say, I encourage everyone to participate and for those who have not given a speech to try and do so Or say We currently have --% participation, so I ask any of you who have not participated to do so If there is a one sided debate, say The chair highly frowns upon one sided debate but unless there are any motions at this time I will call for another speech(whatever side people have stood up for). Try to PO third session Try to get the most number of speeches in as possible