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When a Parliamentarian Leaves


Guest Jonzie

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Question, if a meeting is in progress and the Parliamentarian leaves the meeting prior to voting issues; how is the voting impacted? I was always told that the Parliamentarian needs to be present for all voting issues, please advise.

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"The parliamentarian is a consultant, commonly a professional, who advises the president and other officers, committees, and members on matters of parliamentary procedure. The parliamentarian's role during a meeting is purely an advisory and consultative one - since parliamentary law gives to the chair alone the power to rule on questions of order or to answer parliamentary inquiries." (RONR 11th ed., p. 465, ll. 10-16)

 

So when the Parliamentarian leaves the meeting prior to voting issues, the voting should not be impacted.

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And if a member of the assembly, the parliamentarian should not be voting.  From page 467:

 

"A member of an assembly who acts as its parliamentarian has the same duty as the presiding officer to maintain a position of impartiality, and therefore does not make motions, participate in debate, or vote on any question except in the case of a ballot vote. He does not cast a deciding vote, even if his vote would affect the result, since that would interfere with the chair's prerogative of doing so. If a member feels that he cannot properly forgo these rights in order to serve as parliamentarian, he should not accept that position. Unlike the presiding officer, the parliamentarian cannot temporarily relinquish his position in order to exercise such rights on a particular motion."

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I was always told that the Parliamentarian needs to be present for all voting issues . . .

 

"A small local organization should rarely require the services of a parliamentarian . . . " (p.465).

 

And, in the spirit of the chicken crossing the road, "Why did the parliamentarian leave the meeting?".

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Question, if a meeting is in progress and the Parliamentarian leaves the meeting prior to voting issues; how is the voting impacted? I was always told that the Parliamentarian needs to be present for all voting issues, please advise.

 

You were always told incorrectly.  Unless the departure of the parliamentarian causes a loss of quorum, there's no problem.  If the presiding officer or secretary has to leave, then adjustments must be made, but the parliamentarian is not considered essential.

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