4-H Members Learn & Practice Parliamentary Procedure

Aliesa Woods, 4-H Youth Development Agent

For anyone who wishes to be active in a board, association, or other community group, learning the basics of parliamentary procedure is both desirable and achievable. The 4-H club model provides an excellent opportunity for youth to experience, practice and learn parliamentary procedure. Participating in a club business meeting gives members an opportunity to plan, evaluate, discuss ideas, and set goals – all important life skills.

Parliamentary procedure provides a framework that encourages all members to have a voice in their club. Robert’s Rules of Order is that standard reference for business meetings and is commonly used. Club officers as well as club members learn the appropriate parliamentary procedures they are going to use in making club decisions. The youth who are learning how to run a good meeting in 4-H today will benefit later in life. Our communities will gain in the process because youth will know how to participate in a democracy. Business meeting are held in all career fields. Good meetings help to get things done, poor meeting don’t.

Club leaders and adult volunteers are essential to assisting our youth learn proper parliamentary procedure. Leaders help to train our club officers and assist them in carrying out their responsibilities throughout the year.

Ready to test your parliamentary procedure? Here is a short quiz with the answers at the bottom.

1. Members should rise and address whom when presenting a motion?
2. After one person presents a motion, another person offers a ___________ to the motion.
3. The person presenting the second to the motion should rise and address the chair. True or False
4. The secretary should sit down when minutes are read. True or False
5. Every meeting should have an outline or an ___________.
6. A motion can be withdrawn by any person any time. True or False
7. To introduce a business item does one say “I move to make a motion that …” or “I make a motion that …”?
8. When a motion has corrections made to it, this is called an ____________.
9. Tabling a motion may occur if there is not enough information to vote on the motion. True or False
10. The minimum number of members who must be present to conduct business is called a ___________.

If you are ready to join 4-H, are just looking to learn more about 4‑H programs in your area or to learn more about parliamentary procedure visit www.kansas4-h.org or contact me at awoods@ksu.edu and I would be happy to assist you.

ANSWERS  1) President; 2) Second; 3) False; 4) False; 5) Agenda; 6) False; 7) I move to make a motion; 8) Amendment; 9) True; 10) Quorum