FOUNDATIONS
What is the main purpose of parliamentary procedure?
To help an assembly conduct business in an orderly, fair, and efficient way.
What does the principle “one thing at a time” mean?
The assembly should normally focus on one question before it at a time.
When a member "has the floor," this means that
The member has the right to speak after the chair recognizes you.
What does “immediately pending question” mean?
When more than one question is pending, it is the question most recently stated by the chair and generally must be handled first.
A chapter has 24 members. Its bylaws require 13 for a quorum, but only 11 are present. Can it conduct ordinary business?
No. It does not have the required quorum; only actions permitted under the rules may be taken.
What book is identified as the parliamentary authority for FBLA Parli?
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (RONR), 12th Edition.
A member disagrees with a motion that passes. Do they lose their procedural rights?
No. Minority members still retain their parliamentary rights.
A society has a total membership of 200 members. A minimum majority vote of the entire membership is
101
A main motion proposes buying new banners. The chair states an amendment to change the banner design. Which question is immediately pending?
The amendment to change the banner design.
The regular secretary is absent, so another member takes minutes for today. What term describes that temporary role?
Pro tem.
In parliamentary procedure, who makes the group’s decisions?
The assembly makes the decisions. The chair facilitates the process and applies the rules.
Name two basic rights of a member who is entitled to participate.
Possible answers: attend meetings, know what business is being considered, make motions when entitled, speak/debate when recognized, vote when entitled, have votes counted correctly, or expect rules to be followed.
What is a pending question?
A motion stated by the chair that has not yet been disposed of.
What is a majority?
More than half of the votes cast.
A meeting that is called to be held at a time different from the regular meeting to consider one or more items, is a(n)...
Special Meeting or a Called Meeting
Name two things parliamentary procedure helps a group do.
Possible answers: make decisions efficiently, keep order, give members a fair chance to participate, protect majority and minority rights, or keep discussion focused.
Why does a member wait to be recognized by the chair before speaking?
To maintain order and prevent multiple people from speaking at once.
What is the difference between a regular meeting and a special meeting?
A regular meeting follows the organization’s established schedule. A special meeting is called outside that schedule for a specific time or purpose.
What is a plurality?
More votes than any other option or candidate, but not necessarily more than half.
The call of a meeting is a...
written notice of the time and place of the meeting which is mailed or distributed to members.
What is the hierarchy of governing documents shown in the lesson?
Corporate Charter → Bylaws → Rules of Order.
The chapter is debating a food drive, but a member starts discussing the spring trip. What principle is being violated?
The assembly should focus on the question currently before it—“one thing at a time.”
What is an executive session, and what must members do?
A meeting or portion of a meeting whose proceedings are treated as secret under the rules. Members must respect the required confidentiality.
The quorum of an assembly is
the number of members who must be present for business to be legally transacted.
A member announces a motion, but the chair has not stated it. Is it officially before the assembly for debate yet?
No. The chair must state the motion for it to be officially before the assembly for debate.