Clarksville Zeta Chapter 73

"Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty."

--General Henry M. Robert

The rules of parliamentary law are construed upon a careful balance of the rights of persons or subgroups within an organization's or an assembly's total membership. These rules are based on a regard for the rights:

• Of the majority
• Of the minority
• Of individual members
• Of absentees, and
• Of all these together.

The means of protecting all of these rights in appropriate measure forms much of the substance of parliamentary law, and the need for this protection dictates the degree of development that the subject has undergone.

It is the majority taking part in the assembly who decide the general will, but only following upon the opportunity for a deliberative process of full and free discussion.  Only two-thirds or more of those present and voting may deny a minority or any member the right of such discussion.

In this connection, there is an underlying assumption of a right that exists even though it may not always be prudent or helpful for it to be exercised. Each individual or subgroup has the right to make the maximum effort to have his, her, or its position declared the will of the assembly to the extent that can be tolerated in the interests of the main body.

The application of paliamentary 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 amount of time and under all kinds of internal climate ranging from total harmony to hardened or impassioned division of opinion.

Q.  What is parliamentary procedure?

A. It's a set of rules for conducting business at meetings and public gatherings.

Q.  Why is parliamentary procedure important?

A.  Because it allows everyone to be heard and to make decisions without confusion.

Q.  Do I have to take a test to join?

A.  No.

Q.  What can I learn?

A.  How to make, pass, and defeat motions; how to use effective democratic parliamentary practices; how to protect your rights as a member; and develop leadership skills.

Q. Who can benefit from joining?

A.  Individuals who are members of societies, clubs, churches, boards, committees, PTAs, homeowner associations, college student organizations, Greek fraternities and sorities, honor societies, and political groups all have a need to know how meetings are properly conducted and how to participate in the deliberations of their organizations.