Show jr A f i A A A A A A af A i r i w v v v v w IT v wv v v r Time For r Class CHICO p r STATE COLLEGE g. g ULIA P. LAW LAW- TO CONDUCT 1 V MEETING I World events have placed more moreon responsibility on democracies with their freedom of speech Dictatorships abroad have fostered a tendency here in America I to our representatives with more I and more power Thus it at is 18 that we I must become more efficient in our de de- deliberative de- de deliberative bodies and more careful in inthe Inthe inthe the persons and committees that re represent re- re represent present us if we wc are to keep abreast re-I re of I economic and social changes some of of which can precipitate us m into war or orinto orinto I into economic disaster More specifically I the rules of procedure are designed to toI I promote the following principles les I The I.-The 1 The will of the majority shall shallI I prevail a group Is well divided and it seems as though a n small minority I controls the action taken It must be remembered that only an intelligent and active majority which exercises its voice olce I and its vote can be of ot any value value- If It a a. person does not use his right to vote his mere presence is of no special value A majority vote is one over o half of those voting and not of those present 2 The The rights of the minority must be protected We can never tell in a democracy when the militant few u L may become me the majority majority in u fact laci me the major major- majority majority ity it may nay may be wrong at times and later bo be won over by the reasonableness of the proposals of the few One can seriously question however howe the over- over solicitous allowance of free speech such as the recent two weeks of filibustering in congress or even in other assemblies It may be that freedom of speech may maybo maybe maybe be bo self-destructive self a virtue e In excess may maj become a vice Too often those who demand freedom of expression for theta them themselves selves are not equally willing to accord it to others Courtesy and Justice to all allwill allwill will be aided if the person presiding will observe some of the following sug sug- suggestions suggestions suggestions Speak objectively Instead of personally as Mr Chairman or The Member recognize first the original mover of or a motion if he desires to speak let the discussion alternate from those in favor to those opposed in the discussion period give all a chance to tobo tobo tobe bo be heard Instead of allowing a few to talk all of the time refrain retrain from talking much or offering o opinions while pre pre- presiding presiding presiding siding often orten suggest procedures or mo mo- motions motions which the member may ma not know mO 1 how to express and limit discussion for definite periods per person at the outset of the meeting to conform with the importance of or the subject or the entire time possible for discussion I 3 There There shall sha be be one thing at at- ata a a. time This means only one main motion I before the house only one person to speak at a time and only one motion I up up for discussion and vote If It there is a a. I 1 II II I main motion introducing business as ash as asI I 1 I I move that this tills group study parlia- parlia parliamentary law any amendment such a af ato to add the tho words on each Tuesday evening at fit 7 p pm p.m. m. m would be discussed and voted on the main motion 4 The The rule of common sense shall I j I prevail It has become axiomatic that speech Is for communication and not I I exhibition Likewise the rules rules' are a aI means to an end and should always alwa's be adapted to the audience and the needs I of or the occasion Usually informal pro pro- procedures procedures procedures go with small groups and formal methods with large audiences In gen- gen general I oral cral then a person should know procedures pro pro- procedures procedureS but not show it he should be bewell bewell bewell well acquainted with all the fine points but t not laboriously insist that the tho uniformed uni uni- uniformed uniformed formed conform with his practices Some Sometimes Sometimes times a simple expedient will achieve results res by common sense Duties of the Chairman Sometimes It may be said that the chief function of a basketball coach Is Isto Isto isto to keep his team from running into the opponents In like manner the discus discus- discussion discussion discussion sion leader must keep members from clashing unnecessarily unnecessarily- With the goal of or orono ono one for all and all for tor one he must realize that his will Is subservient to the group which elected him Ho lIo should maintain order follow the regular or special order of business state motions before the assembly after they t I have been moved and seconded allow discussion on on debatable motions aid others in formulating difficult motions expedite business without rushing It or pushing through his own measures call cnn for a vote by saying All those In favor say aye nye pronounced like I. I I those op opposed op- op opposed opposed posed say no announce the vote vote- The motion passed p or b j 00 ka l Ual vote ote if it he desires to make or break a a. atie atie tie vote be firm be capable of or yielding when mistaken and especially know all I the rules of ot order At the outset of Or the I meeting he can often expedite the I meeting by announcing the principal j I items of business called agenda which I are to come before the group This will assist the members In not spending too much time on some subjects to the neg neg- neglect neglect lect of or other important matters Duties of the Members Besides the duties of or the chairman there are demands on the members which should be observed to get good results Here are some a me of the specific things which should be done think out motions before formulating them Be prepared to hand in written motions if 1 I they are detailed Incorporate several I details involving practicality ln in one mo mo- motion motion motion I tion such as I move that our club meet on Tuesday nights from 8 7 pm p.m. I each week at the home of our advisor or I move that a a. committee of or three I persons Brown Jones Smith be ap appointed ap- ap appointed I pointed with power to act on the motion I before the house I Avoid private discussions between members members- Avoid flaunting ones one's know know- knowledge knowledge knowledge ledge of or parliamentary law Avoid being an obstructionist or having a reputation of or being opinionated dogmatic argumentative argumentative argumentative or a crusader Avoid Av ld talking too long or too often otten Be a good loser when tho the will of or the majority has been expressed Be adaptable Use short cuts even If 1 they arc are not quite according to some rule Order of or Business Let us assume that a meeting is about to take place Either someone with natural leadership will preside or someone will be elected to the office I while an outside sponsor Is getting a a. t group organized First he will wUl call the meeting or order so that everyone can I hear Then he will either have a roll call can or count the number present to see If there Is a quorum a sufficient num num- number number number I ber of the active members to warrant doing business If there has been a a. pre pre- previous previous meeting the minutes will be read pre pre-I The chair will say Are there any addi addi- additions additions additions or corrections Then pause If not the minutes will stand approved as I read Silence usually gives consent it itis itis itis is known as voting by common consent Next standing committees and special I committees are called on to report in that order After Ater these reports comes unfinished business Following that comes new business Here Is ls where the chairman's special agenda comes into force and where the member has a right to be heard both in discussion and in inthe inthe inthe the motions which he desires to present After new business announcements and special requests are are made followed by adjournment PROFESSOR HERBERT E E. RAHE RARE Speech and Group Leadership Chico State College California |