Parliamentary Opinions II #4

An exercise to study Parliamentary Opinions II which is based on the Opinions Column in the Parliamentary Journal published by the American Institute of Parliamentarians.

Pick the best answer or answers based on Parliamentary Opinions II. If there are check boxes, there may be more than one answer.

A member has been recognized for debate and has said fewer than ten words. Another rises to object to consideration. Is this is order?
1. No. Even though it is only a few words, debate has begun.
2. No. Objection to consideration is out of order once a member has risen to speak even if he has not spoken.
3. Yes, the first few words do not constitute debate.
4. Yes, as the right exists until the first speaker is finished.
In an organization that uses RONR, if a motion is outside of the objectives of the organization, can objection to consideration be used?
1. No, the chair should rule the original motion out of order.
2. Yes, this is one way to remove it from consideration if the chair does not recognize it as being outside of the objectives of the organization..
3. No, the original motion needs a motion to suspend the rules to be considered if the chair recognizes it as outside the objectives of the organization.
4. Yes, this is the only way to remove it from consideration.
Which of the following is true about Objection to Consideration?
1. Keesey recommends that it not be used.
2. Riddick allows it to be used even after debate has begun.
3. It takes a majority vote under Riddick.
4. Sturgis does not allow it starting with the 3rd edition of her book.
During nominations for office, can Objection to Consideration be used against a proposed candidate when RONR is the authority?
1. No, as Objection to Consideration is limited to main motions and to petitions and communications not from a superior body.
2. Yes, if it can be shown that the person should not be considered for office.
3. Yes, if the person is not qualified for the office.
4. Yes.
The Parliamentary Authority is RONR for the organization. A committee is assigned a task and then reports back with a motion. Objection to consideration is immediately moved. Is this allowed?
1. No, as the assembly has already been involved in the issue.
2. Yes, this is the first time the motion comes before the assembly.
3. Yes, debate has not yet begun on the issue.
4. No as the motion was not timely.
What amendments are allowed for consideration seriatim?
1. It can be amended as to what each segment is to consist of.
2. It can be amended to combine some sections.
3. It can be amended to exclude some sections.
4. It can be amended to limit who can debate.
A member sends a letter of resignation to the secretary. Does the letter have to be read to the assembly?
1. No, although the assembly can order it to be read.
2. Yes, it must be read to the assembly.
3. No, it cannot be read to the assembly.
4. Yes, for the resignation to be effective, it needs to be read.
Which of the following is proper if a letter of resignation has been received?
1. The chair can state that a letter of resignation has been received.
2. The chair can give a summary of the letter.
3. A motion can be made to accept the resignation or the chair can assume one.
4. The assembly can order the letter to be read.
A board consists of twenty-one members and three are absent. A motion to rescind is introduced without notice. The vote is eleven to rescind and seven against. Did it pass?
1. Yes as a majority of the entire membership voted for it.
2. Yes, a majority was attained. Notice is not required for a board.
3. No, two-thirds must be attained to rescind without notice.
4. No, notice must be given to rescind a motion.
If reconsideration is moved while another motion is pending, what are the time limits on calling it up?
1. If the body meets as often as quarterly, to the end of the next meeting.
2. If the body meets less often than quarterly, to the end of the current meeting.
3. There is no time limit.
4. Until action has been completed on the original motion.
If after much debate and some amendments, the assembly wants to return to the original motion as originally presented, what can be done?
1. Move to suspend the rules and to bring it back.
2. Nothing can be done.
3. Reconsideration of the amendments could be done but this would be very difficult.
4. Defeat the amended motion and reintroduce the original motion.
A motion was voted on by ballot. A member wants to move reconsideration of the motion. Is this permitted?
1. Yes, but the vote on reconsideration must be by ballot.
2. Yes, the normal rules and voting apply.
3. No, a ballot vote cannot be subject to reconsideration.
4. Yes, but it takes a two-thirds vote.
If the bylaws say a certain percentage of members need to be present for a quorum but limits voting for officers to a certain class of members, how is the quorum for election of officers determined?
1. The only criteria to be followed is the percentage of all classes of members.
2. The percentage is applied to the type of members who can vote.
3. The percentage is applied to the total membership and to the type of membership that can vote. It becomes a double criteria.
4. The bylaw does not apply to the election. A majority of the eligible voters is needed.
If a quorum cannot be maintained at a convention business meeting, what can be done?
1. The bylaws can be amended to provide a different basis for a quorum.
2. The bylaws can be amended to state that if a vote is taken without a quorum but the vote would be sufficient if a quorum was present, the motion is adopted.
3. Nothing can be done.
4. There is no problem as the quorum at a convention is based on delegates present.
Members are not allowed to vote if they have a conflict of interest. Are those members counted in the quorum?
1. No. Most authorities do not count members who are disqualified from voting.
2. Riddick counts them as they are disqualified only on that question.
3. Yes as they are members.
4. Yes. A voting restriction does not affect the quorum.
A society has a rule that if you miss a certain number of meetings in a row, you are removed from membership. A quorum is not attained at a regular meeting. Is that meeting counted in retaining membership?
1. Yes. The meeting was held and then adjourned. Under RONR this counts as having been held.
2. No if the meeting is not called to order. A meeting only exists once it is called to order.
3. No. No regular business could be conducted so there was no meeting.
4. Yes. The important fact is that the meeting was scheduled.
When does an official meeting exist?
1. When it is called to order under RONR.
2. When it is called to order and quorum exists under Sturgis.
3. When it is scheduled and the date arrives under RONR.
4. When it is scheduled and the date arrives under Sturgis.
If a quorum is defined as the majority of the delegates registered at the beginning of the conference and that a diminishing number of members shall not affect the quorum, what is meant?
1. The quorum remains what it was at the opening even if people leave.
2. The quorum is maintained even if people leave.
3. The quorum is based on the number of delegates registered at any one time.
4. There is always a quorum present.
The bylaws state that if a quorum is lost, the assembly can continue to discuss issues and that any decisions made must be ratified at the next meeting with a quorum. What is meant?
1. Actions taken with a quorum have no problem.
2. Actions taken without a quorum must be ratified and are only a recommendation.
3. Actions taken without a quorum are valid.
4. Discussions can continue even if no quorum is present.
Which Parliamentary Authority allows the most leniency in what can be done at meeting that lacks a quorum?
1. Kerr and King
2. RONR
3. Sturgis
4. Riddick and Butcher