PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

 Parliamentary Procedure provides members with the opportunity to showcase their knowledge around parliamentary procedure concepts. This competitive event consists of an objective test and a role play scenario.

 

Event Overview

Division: High School
Event Type: Team of 4 or 5 members
Event Category: Role Play Event
Event Elements: Objective Test and Role Play
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
Role Play Time: 20-minute preparation time, 9-11-minute presentation time
Educational Alignments

 

Items Provided by Competitors: Sharpened pencil for objective test and role play, fully powered device for online testing, Photo identification, reference materials for role play prep, Gavel and sounding block, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code

Items FBLA Provides: One piece of scratch paper per competitor, internet access, test login information for objective testing; Two notecards per competitor, Paper for secretary’s notes, and secret problem/scenario for role play round

 

Knowledge Areas

·         Foundations of Parliamentary Procedure
·         Parliamentary Terminology
·         Meeting Structure and Order of Business
·         Handling Motions and Rules of Debate
·         Classification of Motions
·         Voting, Elections, and Nominations
·         Boards and Committees

The objective test and presentation criteria for this event will be based on Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 12th edition

 

District

Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
·         Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top 10 of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top 10 of an event at the NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
·         Members must stay in an official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.
·         Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
·         Each member can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (American Enterprise Project, Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report, Partnership with Business Project).
·         Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
·         All members of a team must consist of individuals from the same chapter.
·         Competitors cannot be replaced or substituted in between the objective test and role play time.
·         If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled.

Recognition

·         The number of teams will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 4.

Event Administration

·         This event is two rounds: objective test and role play

·         Objective Test

o   Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
o   Objective Test Questions: 100 questions
o   This event is an objective test administered at the SLC.
o   No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.
o   Competitors must test individually, starting within minutes of each other. Individual test scores will be averaged for a team score.

·         Role Play Presentation

o   Preparation Time: 20 minutes
o   Presentation Time: 10 minutes (one-minute warning)
o   Question & Answer: None

o   The top 5 scoring teams will advance to the role play final round.
o   The finalists will be sequestered before the first performance to receive instructions and time assignments.  Twenty (20) minutes before their performance time, individuals will receive the case study.  A team entering sequestering after the first performance has begun will be disqualified.
o   Competitors will be provided with a single copy of a parliamentary procedure-related scenario or problem at the beginning of their assigned preparation time. This copy must be shared among team members.
o   The role play will simulate a regular chapter meeting and will be distributed to competitors at the start of their assigned preparation time.
o   Competitors may use parliamentary procedure reference materials during the preparation period only. No scripts may be brought into or created in the prepation room.
o   The following items may be brought into both the prep and presentation room: one gavel/sounding block, a printed copy of the role play, a treasurer’s report (created prior to competition), and a copy of the minutes from a previous meeting (created prior to competition).
o   No additional technology, reference materials, visuals, or props beyond the two notecards may be used during the presentation.
o   Presentations must simulate a complete regular chapter meeting, beginning with a Call to Order and ending with Adjournment.
o   Required business items from the role play must be addressed in the proper order of business. Additional meeting busines should be conducted.
o   The presentation must demonstrate the use of all five classes of motions if listed in the role play: Main, Subsidiary, Privileged, Incidental, Motions that bring a question again before the assembly
o   All team members are expected to actively participate in the role play.
o   Competition ethics demand that competitors and audience members do not discuss or reveal the role play until the event has ended.

Scoring

·         The team-averaged objective test score determines the top 15 teams advancing to role play round.
·         The final role play round scores only will be used to determine winners.
·         Objective test scores will be used to break a tie.
·         Decisions of the judges are final.

Recording of Presentations

·         No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
·         Participants in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA meets the criteria specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act for all competitors with accommodations submitted through the conference registration system by the registration deadline.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·         All electronic devices such as cell phones, headphones, and watches of any type must not be brought to the event.

National

Be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/

Study Guide: Knowledge Areas and Objectives
This study guide outlines the skills and knowledge assessed for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are aligned to the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives reference MBA Research’s Learning Activity Packages (LAPs), which are instructional resources with readings, activities, and assessments available exclusively to teacher advisers. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA. 

Important Notice Regarding Test Preparation 

MBA Research materials are not required to study for or prepare for FBLA competitive event tests. MBA Research provides curriculum and instructional resources directly to teachers and does not administer or manage individual student testing or competition participation. 

Note for members and parents: All questions related to tests, study materials, scores, or competition guidelines should be directed to the local FBLA adviser. Only teacher advisers should contact MBA Research directly. 

Foundations of Parliamentary Procedure (15 test items)  

  • Explain the nature and purpose of parliamentary procedure  

  • Identify the official parliamentary authority (Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised)  

  • Discuss the fundamental principles of parliamentary law (e.g., rights of the majority and minority)  

  • Describe the concept of “one thing at a time”  

  • Identify the basic rights of an individual member  

  • Describe the hierarchy of governing documents (e.g., Corporate Charter, Bylaws, Rules of Order)  

  • Explain the legal implications of parliamentary law for various types of assemblies  

  

Parliamentary Terminology (15 test items)  

  • Define common parliamentary terms (e.g., floor, chair, quorum, pending)  

  • Explain the concept of immediately pending motions  

  • Define the different types of meetings (e.g., regular, special)  

  • Identify the differences between a plurality and a majority vote  

  • Define the roles of “pro tem” and “ex officio” positions  

  • Differentiate between “previous notice” and “notice of a motion”  

  • Describe “executive session” and the requirements for maintaining its confidentiality  

  

Meeting Structure and Order of Business (15 test items)  

  • Describe the components of a standard order of business  

  • Explain the purpose and basic contents of meeting minutes  

  • Describe the process for opening and closing a meeting  

  • Explain the primary duties of the presiding officer  

  • Describe the basic record-keeping role of the secretary  

  • Explain the formal process for approving and correcting minutes  

  • Discuss the handling and reception of officer reports  

  

 

 

Handling Motions and Rules of Debate (15 test items)  

  • List the six steps in handling a main motion from introduction to announcement of the result  

  • Explain the process for seeking recognition from the chair  

  • Describe the requirement and process for seconding a motion  

  • Discuss the basic rules and time limits for debate  

  • Explain the process the chair uses for stating the question  

  • Describe the standards of decorum required for members during debate  

  • Describe the motions used to manage, limit, or close debate  

  

Classification of Motions (15 test items)  

  • Identify the four basic classes of motions  

  • Describe the purpose of common Subsidiary motions (e.g., Postpone, Amend)  

  • Describe the purpose of common Privileged motions (e.g., Adjourn, Recess)  

  • Explain the purpose of basic Incidental motions (e.g., Point of Order)  

  • Distinguish between debatable and non-debatable motions  

  • Apply the order of precedence for all 13 ranking motions  

  • Identify specific characteristics for each ranking motion (e.g., amendability, vote required)  

  • Explain motions that bring a question again before the assembly (e.g., Reconsider, Rescind)  

  

Voting, Elections, and Nominations (15 test items)  

  • Identify common methods of voting (e.g., voice, rising, show of hands)  

  • Explain the use and purpose of a ballot vote  

  • Define the requirements for a two-thirds vote  

  • Describe the process for basic nominations from the floor  

  • Explain the chair’s responsibility and rights in the voting process  

  • Describe the process and requirements for a Division of the Assembly  

  • Explain the formal procedures for conducting an election for officers  

  

Boards and Committees (10 test items)  

  • Distinguish between the roles of standing committees and special (ad hoc) committees  

  • Explain the process of referring a main motion to a committee  

  • Describe the procedures for presenting committee reports and recommendations  

  • Explain the relationship between a board of directors and the general assembly  

  • Discuss the specific duties of the vice president and treasurer