notes-books-parliamentaryLawForTheLayman

Notes from O'Brien, Parliamentary Law for the Layman

Chapter II, section I of O'Brien, Parliamentary Law for the Layman cites these 4 basic principals of parliamentary procedure:

He also notes that serialization ("only one main motion is permitted on the floor at a time") is a "cardinal principal of common parliamentary law".

His description of Objection to Consideration is, "Prevent consideration of a matter believed non-relevant to the organization or less important than the ill will within the organization which would probably result".

"[The member] should not make use of even proper parliamentary motions to create discord or impede unreasonably the action of the assembly" -- Thomas B. Reed, Reed's Rules, Rand McNally? and Co, 1894, p. 47-48, via O'Brien, Parliamentary Law

O'brien on parliamentary strategy:

Generalship ("organization of the campaign for the passage of a measure"):

Adaptability (parliamentary tactics):

Persuasion (human tactics):

Two skills: winning good will and effective speech.

"Winning good will is a matter of bothe the man and his method... A man who is to succeed in group relationshigs should have a reputation for competence, honesty, and the common touch among his fellows....We can only follow a man if we believe he knows the way and is without ulterior motive. We won't follow a snob. We like a man who is "just as good as we are, but no better," and proves it by down-to-earth friendliness and good humor. ... be generous with compliments... give all due credit for good ideas and for good work to the organization. Human beings like their good works to be noticed. All too few remember these little niceties. Not only a wife but men and women in general "never forget the man who remembers".

If you must take issue with a colleague, do so conservatively, tactfully, and perhaps with just a touch of humor. Limit your disagreement to as small an area as possible and introduce it with some disarming preliminary remarks, such as "I can see just how much work went into this committee report, and feel sure you all appreciate the work of the committee. As a lazy man, I'm mightly glad to have this work done for me. I do have an amendment to Article II which I believe is entirely in the spirit of the report..." In offering an amendment or other criticism, always use pleasant vocal intonation."

rhetoric:

"A successful persuasive speech must be well organized, well supported, and well motivated. In addition, it must be delivered effectively.... open with an attempt to win good will, gain attention, or offer necessary explanation... it [should] be broked down into a logical series of [two to five] divisions. There is no flat rule as to the nature of the divisions, except that in persuasive speaking they constitute the reasons why a measure ... should be supported or rejected. Some possible schemes of development include proceeding from a problem to a solution, according to a set of standards to be applied or through a series of categories of possible effects on different interests. Wording the main heads in short, complete sentences that touch off the drives and reaction patterns of the audience is desirable... close with a formal or informal summary and/or an appeal for action. It is important that the support under each division be relevant, and that well chosen transitions bind the whole together.

A well-supported speech is one which judiciously mingles logical support with attention-holding devices... evidence should be selected with the particular audience in mind

[to present a well-motivated talk a man] needs to be fully conscious of his listeners not only as human beings with normal drives but also as fellow men with well-implanted attitudes. He needs to appeal to the normal [biological] drives... but he also needs to [consider the culture and organization-specific ideology of the audience]...new proposals should be geared to, or at least avoid conflict with, the attitudes present in the audience.

rhetoric specific to parliamentary situations:

"poise, ease, and freedom in bodily position and movement"

and he quotes:

" In all you speak, let Truth and Candor shine: That not alone what to your Sense is due, All may allow; but seek your Friendship too.

Be silent always when you doubt your Sense; And speak, tho' sure, with seeming Diffidence: Some positive persisting Fops we know, Who, if once wrong, will needs be always so; But you, with Pleasure own your Errors past, An make each Day a Critick on the last.

'Tis not enough your Counsel still be true, Blunt Truths more Mischief than nice Falsehood do; Men must be taught as if you taught them not; And Things unknown propos'd as Things forgot: Without Good Breeding, Truth is disapprov'd; ... With mean Complacence ne'er betray your Trust, Nor be so Civil as to prove Unjust; Fear not the Anger of the Wise to raise; Those best can bear Reproof, who merit Praise. ... Fear most to tax an Honourable Fool, Whose Right it is, uncensur'd to be dull; ... Leave dang'rous Truths to unsuccessful Satyrs, And Flattery to fulsome Dedicators, "

and says:

Not this: "There's action ev'ry minute when this happy group convenes: To get business into tangles We can guarantee more angles Then the town of Boston guarantees in beans! "

But this: "The less or greater set so justly true, That touching one must strike the other too; Till jarring int'rests of themselves create Th'according music of a well mix'd state" -- Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man, epistle ii

"a successful presiding officer...must be confident, impartial, efficient, orderly, helpful, and correct"

toread: 64-66, 87-97

legal notes: a society can legally, forcibly eject nonmembers who are asked to and refuse to leave a meeting by the chairman after a vote. a society can suspend or expel members for cause (but cause includes such things as "willfully casting disrepute on the organization's purposes, methods or membership" or even "moral misconduct in his outside life, such as habitual drunkenness or financial dishonesty". There should be a trial, but "all relevant evidence, including hearsay, is admissible, because the society lacks a civil court's authority and sanctions in securing evidence". Courts are usually concerned only with finding that the intent of a body was followed, and if they think an organization followed the intent of its voters, they tend to let that stand even if parliamentary procedural minutiae were not followed.