Parliamentary Procedures
A leader that runs meetings by recognizing members to speak or move
What is presiding officer?
A standard rule which requires the presiding officer to choose speakers who have spoken least or not at all.
What is precedence?
This style of questioning is used when speakers are given 30 second blocks to allow for them to ask multiple questions of the speaker.
What is Direct Questioning?
The time limit of each speech.
What is three minutes
A specific change to an item of legislation, explaining exactly which words it modifies, and not changing the intent of the legislation itself. This also requires a 1/3 second.
What is amendment
A motion to force an immediate vote that requires a second, is not debatable, not amendable, and requires a 2/3 majority vote.
What is Previous Question?
This is something that the presiding officer is not allowed to do, but you have all seen them do it at tournaments. (It is also Betsy and Renee's least favorite thing and has not been a thing for at least 30 years).
What is calling for motions?
According to the MSHSL Debate Manual (rule E.6.), this is not permitted during questioning as it is an abuse of the questioning time.
What is making statements?
A constructive speech that provides background information on what problem the bill aims to solve and given from someone other than the team who proposed the bill.
What is a sponsorship speech?
A specific written proposal (bill or resolution) made by a committee member
What is legislation?
A motion to suppress an action that does not require a second, it is not debatable or amendable, and requires a 2/3 majority vote?
What is an objection?
This method of selecting speakers is to balance various spatial zones in the chamber.
What is geography?
There is one questioning block remaining and no one standing. The PO asks the last questioner if they would like to continue. What do you do?
What is "Point of Order, it should have gone to Rep X based on precedence."
These speeches introducing legislation are given by a member of the team who submit the bill/resolution and are not subject to recency and precedence.
What is an Authorship Speech?
An expression of support which may urge, request or suggest further action by another group
What is a resolution?
This motions are often is used early phases of a session, like PO and docket nominations, but don't actually exist.
What is Opening or Closing the Floor?
A non-existent rule that would require one speech on the affirmation and a speech on the negation before any further actions can be made on the legislation?
What is Minimum Cycle?
You: "How many military bases does the US have in other countries?"
S: "I'm sure you can tell me."
How do you respond?
What is "I will definitely cover that in my next speech" and ask another question?
A speech used to present unique arguments, often in the early cycles of debate.
A complete packet of legislation distributed by a tournament.
What is a docket?
A motion to verify an unclear voice vote that is not debatable or amendable and is decided on by the chair.
What is Dividing the Chamber?
What are the author and year of publication?
Q: There is a recent study by the Cato Institute that says that wearing an necktie can reduce blood flow to the brain by 7.5%. We shouldn't be required to wear neckties if they are impacting the blood flow to our brain. Our brains need blood in order to function, so it is inappropriate that they are normalized in most business settings.
How do you respond?
What is "do you have a question?"
A speech used to support points on your side of the debate and poke holes in points on the other side of the debate.
What is a rebuttal?
"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God"
What is the Oath of Office?