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Jurassic Parliament Glossary
Accountability Hierarchy
An accountability hierarchy has a pyramid-type structure. The person at the top, the "boss," is in charge of the others. That person can hire, assign work, direct how it is to be done, and fire. He or she is responsible for the work of the organization. Typical examples of an accountability hierarchy include business and the military. (See also association, large assembly, committee meeting, small board meeting)
Association
An association is a group of peers, all of whom have equal standing and one vote. They come together, establish some rules, and choose a leader. The leader is "in charge" in a very different sense from the leader of an accountability hierarchy. While he has many duties as president or leader, when running the meeting, he is "first among equals." Associations may have three types of meetings: large assembly, committee meeting, or small board meeting. (See also accountability hierarchy, large assembly, committee meeting, small board meeting)
Basic Decorum
- Use as much formality as you can get away with, or are personally comfortable with.
- Refer to people by their title rather than their name (Mr. Chair, Ms. Director, the Treasurer)
- Or, refer to people by title and surname (Ms. Brown, Mr. Smith)
- Or, refer to people by first and last name (Mary Brown, John Smith)
- Or, refer to people by full name and position (Mary Brown, our director of Administration)
- Use the "third person" rather than the "second person" whenever possible.
- Require everyone to be recognized by the presider before speaking.
- Require everyone to address all remarks to the presider.
The most important thing the presider can do during a meeting is to listen to each individual speaking as if there were no one else in the room. In addition, we strongly urge that groups avoid crosstalk and sidebar conversations. (See also crosstalk, sidebar conversations)
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a method that can help prevent groupthink. Everyone is free to express any idea, and there is no criticism or editing of ideas. (See also groupthink, round robin, individual notes)
Call for the Question
(See Call the Question)Call the Question
“Call the question, previous question, question” all mean the same thing. This motion is often misunderstood. A single person does not have the right to shut down debate and make everyone vote. This motion simply means that one person believes that it is time to stop debate and vote immediately. Members must be recognized before calling the question. When the question is called, the chair asks, "Is there a second?" If someone seconds the motion, the vote is taken immediately on the pending question. It takes two-thirds in favor for this motion to pass. This motion does not have the default setting. It has a special setting:
- Needs a second
- Cannot be debated
- Cannot be amended
- Takes a two-thirds vote to pass
Committee Meeting
This group typically will be small, and rather casual. While Robert's Rules of Order provide some rules pertaining to committee meetings, discussion is often quite informal. (See also accountability hierarchy, association, large assembly, small board meeting)
Crosstalk
Crosstalk is when members speak directly to each other across the table. This is something we strongly urge groups to avoid during meetings. (See also basic decorum, sidebar conversations)
Friendly Amendment
When a member makes a motion, before it has been seconded and stated by the chair, it is fine for another member to make a suggestion about the wording. The maker of the motion (the mover) can accept that suggestion or not, just as he or she chooses. Once a motion has been made and seconded, however, it belongs to the group as a whole. If another member suggests a "friendly amendment," such a proposal is handled just like any other amendment. It is still common for presiders to ask the mover of the motion and the seconder if they would accept the "friendly amendment." This is incorrect. The mover and the seconder have the same right to vote for or against the amendment as anyone else, and no other right.
Groupthink
Groupthink occurs when group members will not say what they really think—will "self-censor"—because they are afraid of how others will react. Therefore, it is critical, in setting up any discussion, that members feel free to express their genuine opinion. The best indicator of the health of any group is how free the members feel to express differing opinions and still be welcome. (See also round robin, individual notes, brainstorming)
Individual Notes
This is a method that could help prevent groupthink. Each person first writes down his or her thoughts before group discussion begins. The notes can then be collected and read anonymously, or compiled, or read by each individual, whatever works best for your group. (See also groupthink, round robin, brainstorming)
Large Assembly
In a large assembly, the group follows strict procedural rules to keep things orderly. The presider will not take part in debate or vote, in order to remain as impartial as possible. (See also accountability hierarchy, association, committee meeting, small board meeting)
Main Motion
A motion is a proposal to do something. A main motion takes the general ether and distills it into a specific proposal. Most new ideas will be considered on the basis of a main motion.
Move the Previous Question
(See Call the Question)
Point of Information
A point of information is a request for information that is relevant to the debate, and about which there is some urgency. The presider should respond to the motion by saying "state your question." Once the member has stated his or her question, there are three ways to answer:
- Presider may give the answer.
- Presider may refer the question to someone else who is present.
- Presider may say "we will get back to you later."
The motion does not have the default setting. It has a special setting:
- No second
- No debate
- No amendment
- No vote—chair rules
Point of Order
A point of order is a statement or claim that something is being done wrong procedurally. In essence, it is a cry of "mistake." Point of order may interrupt a speaker. Ordinarily, this motion must be made in a timely manner. The chair rules on the motion. However, any two members can appeal the chair's ruling, and the group is the ultimate authority. This motion does not have the default setting. It has a special setting:
- No second
- No debate
- No amendment
- No vote—chair rules
Previous Question
(See Call the Question)
Refer to Committee
Motion to refer to committee allows a board or other group to send a proposal off to a smaller group to review, discuss, and recommend what to do.
Round Robin
Round robin is a method that can help prevent groupthink. This method allows for each person to express his or her opinion in turn. (See also groupthink, individual notes, brainstorming)
Sidebar Conversations
Sidebar conversations occur when members whisper to each other while others are speaking. We strongly urge groups to avoid this during meetings. (See also basic decorum, crosstalk)
Small Board Meeting
A small board feels like a committee, but in fact it will function much better if it agrees to some guidelines for discussion. Robert defines a small board as up to 12 members. We have found that small board rules may be useful for up to 20 members. (See also accountability hierarchy, association, committee meeting, large assembly)
Three Golden Rules for Discussion
- Courtesy is required at all times.
- Discussion of other members' motives is never allowed.
- No one may speak a second time until everyone who wishes to do so has spoken once.
Two-Thirds Vote
Under Robert's Rules of Order, a two-thirds vote is normally required when members' rights are being limited or expanded.