Parliamentary procedure promotes order out of chaos - includes examination for continuing education credit

AORN Journal, March, 1998 by Bonnie G. Denholm

The article procedure promotes order out of chaos" is the basis for this AORN Journal independent study. The behavioral objectives and examination for this program were prepared by Bonnie G. Denholm, RN, MS, CNOR, chapter relations coordinator, Center for Member Services, and Trish O'Neill, RN, MS, professional education specialist, Center for Perioperative Education.

A minimum score of 70% on the multiple-choice examination is necessary to earn two contact hours for this independent study. Participants receive feedback on incorrect answers. Each applicant who successfully completes this study will receive a certificate of completion. The deadline for submitting this study is April 30, 2000.

Send the completed application form, multiple-choice examination, learner evaluation, and appropriate fee to

AORN Customer Service c/o Home Study Program 2170 S Parker Rd. Suite 300 Denver, CO 80231-5711

BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES

After reading and studying the article on parliamentary procedure, the nurse will be able to

(1) describe fundamental principles of parliamentary law,

(2) differentiate between main, subsidiary and incidental motions,

(3) discuss the two classic types of votes, and

(4) identify three documents adopted by organizations to facilitate governance.

An organization that uses parliamentary procedure effectively can facilitate business proceedings and achieve results efficiently and democratically. Three questions influence the level of necessity for parliamentary procedure.

* How large is the group?

* What is the group members' understanding of parliamentary procedure?

* What degree of formality is desired by the members of the group?

As a rule of thumb, it is good to consider increasing the level of formality as the size of the group increases.(1)

By using parliamentary procedure during business proceedings, a presiding officer can expedite business, ensure justice and equality, and maintain order. The decision-making process should not be a frustrating or harrowing experience for either the organization's presiding officer or its members. An orderly progression of events can ensure unemotional discussions and deliberate judgments that result in fair decisions. A basic knowledge of parliamentary procedure will help this process. Without some knowledge of parliamentary law, one is powerless in an assembly in which opponents am skilled.(2)

BACKGROUND

In 1871, Henry M. Robert, author of Robert's Rules of Order, observed that organizations were adopting their own systems of parliamentary law and there was a need for "civic-minded people to belong to several organizations or to move to new localities without constantly encountering different parliamentary rules."(3) Robert also said,

The great lesson for democracies to learn is for the

majority to give to the minority a full, free

opportunity to present their side of the case, and

then for the minority, having failed to win a

majority to their views, gracefully to submit and to

recognize the action as that of the entire

organization, and cheerfully to assist in carrying it

out, until they can secure its repeal.(4)

The underlying principles of parliamentary law are

* courtesy and justice for all,

* consideration on one item of business at a time,

* right of the majority to rule,

* right of the minority to be heard,

* protection for the absentee, and

* partiality toward none.(5)

Fair democratic action is possible only through the observance of a set of rules that has been accepted by the members of the group. Robert's Rules of Order provides an impartial set of rules covering almost every conceivable situation that might arise in a deliberate assembly. For example, Table 1 explains the procedure should the president and vice president of an assembly be unavailable.

Table 1
ABSENCE OF THE TWO SENIOR OFFICERS

Who presides at a meeting in the absence of the
president and vice president?

It is the secretary's responsibility to call the
meeting to order and preside until the
immediate election of a chair pro tern. In the
absence of a secretary, a secretary pro tern
should be elected.(1)

NOTE

(1.) H M Robert, Robert's Rules of Order, ninth ed (Glenview, III: ScottForesman, 1990) 450.

Every participant in a meeting should have a working knowledge of proper procedure. This knowledge is easy to acquire because every rule is based on logic, good sense, and fair play.(6)

The application of parliamentary law is the best

method yet devised to enable assemblies of any

size, with due regard for every member's opinion,

to arrive at the general will on the maximum

number of questions of varying complexity in a

minimum time and under all kinds of internal

climate.(7)

GENERAL PROCEDURES

All members of an organization are equal. Every member has the same right to introduce business, to participate in deliberation or discussion, and to vote. Only one topic may be under discussion at a time, and only one person may have the floor at any one time.(8)