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RULES COMMITTEE REPORT
BY DAN STENVOLD, CHAIR
What follows is a list of the proposed rules that, if accepted,
will govern the credentialing, what constitutes a quorum,
seating, committee reports, resolutions, debate, voting,
decorum, and Robert’s Rules of Order for VVA’s
13th biennial National Convention, which will be held in
Springfield, Illinois, July 18-22. All delegates should
familiarize themselves with these rules, which are in the
main the same as those employed in previous Conventions,
to help insure a smooth-running and productive Convention.
CREDENTIALS
A. The Credentials Committee shall provide identification
for Delegates and Alternates upon registration with the Credentials
Committee.
B. Identification badges shall not be transferable.
C. Such identification must be worn during all meetings of
the Convention.
D. A member registered as an Alternate may become a Delegate
only after proper clearance with the Credentials Committee.
No Alternate or other person may substitute for a Delegate
who remains registered.
QUORUM
A majority of the credentialed delegates shall be necessary
to constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.
SEATING
There shall be a designated seating area for Delegates. Non-delegates
and guests shall be seated in a designated observers’ area.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS
The Chair of the Constitution Committee
shall report the work of that committee and shall provide
the delegates with an overview of the process for hearings
to be conducted on each proposed amendment to the bylaws
as written. The report of the Constitution Committee shall
be subject to a hearing to be held before a reading at a
general session of the Convention.
Following
the Constitution Committee’s hearing, each
proposed amendment shall be read at a general session of
the Convention, and moved by the Chair of the Constitution
Committee, and deemed to be seconded by a member of that
Committee, and shall then be put before the Convention for
debate, and upon a motion to close debate, for a vote on
the proposed amendment. Amendments to the bylaws shall require
the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the delegates present
and voting for passage. Any amendments referred back to the
committee shall be subject to further review and appropriate
action. Those proposed amendments will then be presented
a second time at a general session of the Convention and
shall be subject to full debate, amendment, and vote by the
delegates.
The Chair of the Resolutions Committee shall report
the work of that committee and shall provide the delegates
with an overview of the process for hearings to be conducted
on each proposed resolution as written.
Following the committee
hearings, all proposed resolutions shall then be subject
to a reading at the general session of the Convention and
shall be subject to full debate, amendment, and vote by the
delegates. Resolutions shall require the affirmative vote
of a majority of the delegates present and voting for passage.
Following the second reading of, and action upon, the proposed
resolutions and amendments reported out of committee, delegates
may be permitted, upon a majority vote of delegates present
and voting, to offer and move proposed resolutions and amendments
that were not reported out of committees. The Presiding Officer
shall set a time for consideration of such motions.
DEBATE
A. Debate shall be limited to two minutes for each
speaker.
B. The Timekeeper will signal the expiration of the allotted
time.
C. Debate on any issue shall not exceed twenty minutes,
unless such time is extended by the consent of the voting
body.
D. No Delegate may speak more than twice on the same issue.
E. No Delegate may speak a second time on an issue until
all who desire to speak have had an opportunity to do so,
except by the consent of the voting body.
F. Points of inquiry shall be in the form of a question.
Points of Information shall be in the form of a statement.
After the question or statement is stated, the delegate shall
be seated.
G. Microphones shall be designated for speaking in favor
(Pro) and speaking against (Con). Points of order may be
addressed at either microphone.
H. A Delegate desiring to speak shall stand at a microphone
designated for that purpose.
I. Once recognized by the Presiding Officer, the Delegate
must state his or her name, Chapter number and location,
or State Council before speaking.
VOTING
A. Except on roll call votes, all voting on reports,
amendments, and resolutions shall be by voice or by a show
of hands, but the Presiding Officer may call for a standing
vote when in doubt.
B. Casting of votes for election of Officers and Directors
shall be by written, secret ballot.
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©2006-
2011, Vietnam Veterans of America. All Rights Reserved. 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910