Dragon Shire/Rules of Order

Rules of Order

For Dragon Shire legislative body To ensure Fair and Orderly Conduct

Is meant to provide common rules and procedures for deliberation and debate in order to place the whole membership on the same footing and speaking the same language. Under no circumstances should "undue strictness" be allowed to intimidate members or limit full participation.

There is a fundamental that all questions to be thoroughly discussed before taking action!

The Assembly Rules

The Assembly has final say on all laws passed. Silence means consent!

Obtain the floor

(the right to speak) by being the first to speak when the person speaking has finished. (one subject at a time, bring up a new subject before the first is done is out of order. The subject is finished when it either is sent to referendum by the judge. All subjects unless withdrawn by the noble that presented it have a right to a referendum)

Motion

The Noble that has the Floor may make a motion to be seconded, debated, and voted upon with due process.

Debate

May begin after a motion is seconded and will be allowed to continue for a minimum of 1 half day and a maximum of 2 days. At which time a referendum shall be initiated.

modification

Modification to The "immediately pending question" is to the most recent motion on the floor or Amendment or Motion to Postpone. All remarks must be directed to the Judge. Remarks must be courteous in language.

The Rules

Point of Privilege

Council members may interrupt only if necessary!

Parliamentary Inquiry

Inquire as to the correct motion. May require a restatement of the motion on the floor.

Point of Information

Generally applies to information desired from the speaker "I should like to ask the (speaker) a question."(make sure to state who the question is to clearly)

Point of Order

Infraction of the rules, or improper decorum in speaking. Must be stated clearly what the point of order is for and who it pertains to.

Main Motion

Brings new business (the next item on the agenda) before the assembly. A good way to set the next item or motion in place to be discussed.

Divide the Question

Divides a motion into two or more separate motions (must be able to stand on their own)

Consider by Paragraph

Adoption of paper is held until all paragraphs are debated and amended and entire paper is satisfactory; after all paragraphs are considered, the entire paper is then open to amendment, and paragraphs may be further amended. Any Preamble can not be considered until debate on the body of the paper has ceased.

Amend

Inserting or striking out words or paragraphs, or substituting whole paragraphs or resolutions

Withdraw/Modify Motion

Applies only after question is stated; mover can accept an amendment without obtaining the floor

Commit /Refer/Recommit to Committee

State the committee to receive the question or resolution; if no committee exists include size of committee desired and method of selecting the members (election or appointment).

Extend Debate

Applies only to the immediately pending question; extends until a certain time or for a certain period of time

Limit Debate

Closing debate at a certain time, or limiting to a certain period of time

Postpone to a Certain Time

State the time the motion or agenda item will be resumed (Good to use when negotiating treaties and the like)

Lay on the Table

Temporarily suspends further consideration/action on pending question

Take from the Table

Resumes consideration of item previously "laid on the table" - state the motion to take from the table

Committee of the Whole

Allows much more informal debate and discussion.

Appeal Decision of the Judge

Appeal for the assembly to decide - A referendum is initiated and the outcome is final.

Suspend the Rules

Allows a violation of the assembly's own rules (the object of the suspension must be specified)