PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

Parliamentary law is an orderly set of rules for conducting meetings of organized groups for the purpose of accomplishing their goals fairly.

Principles of parliamentary law are:

• Justice and courtesy to all;
• Maintenance of order;
• Consideration of one item at a time;
• All sides get heard;
• Ability for each member to provide input;
• Majority rule;
• Protection of the rights of all members including the minority

Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, is the parliamentary text that governs the PTA where the PTA bylaws do not apply. National PTA provides a training sheet meant to supplement the full work.

A parliamentarian assists the president when questions of procedure arise. If a parliamentarian is not appointed and ratified, the president should appoint one (pro tem) for each meeting to assist the president in conducting an orderly meeting.