==== some (thoughts on) senate parliamentary guidelines 
     (for biol, 2021-feb-12, ibarland@)

= The One Rule: be fair *and* efficient.
  "fair" = "everyone is heard from"

= Standard rules:
    * Put motions on agenda; distribute (say) 48hrs in advance
      - anybody may propose a motion, though it might get referred
        to a committee (e.g. Curriculum, etc) for consideration/re-phrasing.
        It's also fine to just request a discussion on a topic.

    * Discuss a motion, then vote:
      - 5min introduction/rationale
        Typically by one of the authors. (They have no special status otherwise though.)
      - Individuals speak for up to 3min.  (Getting a cue "your time is up" from the chair
          isn't rude -- just helping balance fairness with efficiency.)
        Don't speak again until all others who want to speak have had their chance.
        (though interspersing quick, very-short answers and clarifying comments can be okay)
        Chair can rein in off-topic thoughts (even if slightly related -- 
          often it means the speaker should introduce a *different* motion themselves!)
      - If there are bigger off-topic (but perhaps related) bigger issues worth discussing,
        request to have a future agenda-item added!  
        And/or have a standing-committee hash out issues in advance in a smaller group.

    * making an *amendment*
      - speak *only* to the amendment [as much as possible;
        chair should interrupt w/ friendly nudge as needed]
      - officially, no such thing as "friendly" amendment;
        that's a short-hand proposing to just accept the amendment by acclamation.
        [so anybody should speak up if they think the amendment should be voted on]
      - having precise wording in advance (and pre-sent to secretary) if possible
      - (feel free to 'second' a motion/amendment before the chair has to ask for it.)
      - rare: rather than sub-sub-amendments, if possible wait for amendment to resolve
        and then propose another amendment.
      - if there seems to be an obvious consensus, the chair need not call a vote --
        can pass by acclamation.  (If somebody hears that and thinks there *should* be
        a vote, or at least a bit more time to think, that's their cue to speak up.)
        Clearly, this relies on a chair who reads the room correctly.
        But it's esp. handy for things like minor changes to clarify/fix something,
        as well as for just plain non-controversial stuff.
      - amending a previous motion: Uncommon, but possible.
        Like Congress passing a law that overrides some previous law.
        Whether it's officially "amendment to a motion previously passed" 
        or simply a new motion which implicitly negates a previous policy,
        it's effectively the same, falling under 
        "don't let the rules keep the group from doing what it('s majority) feels is best".
        
    * "to call the question" -- a request to *cut off* debate 
      (requires 2/3 majority vote, since it is quashing those who still wish to speak)
      It's a bit rude (parliamentary, at least :-).
      Appropriate when it becomes clear that discussion is getting into a rut,
      just repeating minor variations of already-made points.
      
    * proxy votes?  Up to the group to establish rules, but I suggest allowing
      (a) emailing a vote in advance, or (b) emailing a designated alternate
      [perhaps another already-attending member].

        
= Btw: killing/tabling is not really needed:
  you might as well just vote something down rather than vote to kill it.
  (When individuals' votes are recorded & reported, like US Senate,
   then killing lets politicians avoid having to cast a contentious vote.)

  trivia: not called "killing", but "postponing indefinitely"
  trivia: avoid "table" -- means opposite in UK vs US English.

= "postpone to a future date", if you just need further info

= any senator can call for a secret-vote, on any vote.



= A 2/3 vote can override many of the procedural rules 
  (e.g. adding an time-sensitive issue to the agenda, or extending the meeting.  
  Should be done w/ caution, respecting those who are not at meeting.)


= any questions/thoughts?  freely ask ibarland@radford.edu "Ian"