Parliamentary Procedure Contest

Purpose

The purpose of this contest is to encourage Grange Youth and Young Adults to learn how to effectively participate in a business meeting and to assist in the development of their leadership, public speaking, and problem-solving skills.

Youth & Young Adult members will use parliamentary procedures to conduct an orderly and efficient meeting, following the meeting format, including the Grange opening and closing as prescribed in the 2023 subordinate Grange manual. The Parliamentary Authority for the contest shall be the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

Teams must exhibit the following:

• Demonstrate knowledge of parliamentary law.
• Conduct Grange business effectively.
• Present a logical, realistic, and convincing debate on motions.
• Record complete and accurate minutes.
• Present memorized speaking parts during the opening and closing ceremonies.

Team makeup:

• Teams must be composed of 6 Grange members in good standing.
• These members will fill the roles of President, Vice President, Steward, Chaplain, Secretary, and Gatekeeper.
• At least four (4) members of the team must be Grange Youth/Young Adults. The other two (2) members of the team can be any Grange member in good standing.
• Multi-State/Region teams are permitted.

Random Team Makeup:

• If you are interested in participating in this contest but are unable to create a team, you may contact the National Youth Director to be placed in a team pool. This will be a group of interested members yet to locate a team. Members must relay their interest by September 1 and will be placed on a team if available by September 15.

Event Rules:

1. Notification of having a team/entering team pool is due September 1.
2. Each team member must participate in the following activities: a) written examination, b) opening ceremonies, c) team demonstration, d) closing ceremonies, and e) oral questions.
3. Opening and closing ceremonies must be memorized.
4. 5 points will be deducted for every team member using a manual for assistance.
5. The most current edition of Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, will be the Parliamentary Authority for the contests. IF there is a discrepancy between RONR, the Grange Digest of Laws followed by the Manual will override RONR.
6. Business casual Dress is recommended.
7. Each team will have 15 minutes to complete the demonstration. Time will begin when the President signals with one rap of the gavel and will end at the conclusion of the Closing Ceremonies.
8. Opening Ceremonies will take no more than 5 minutes and closing ceremonies no more than 3 minutes. The remaining time should be used for the demonstration of new business.
9. The order of business will begin at the conclusion of opening ceremonies and begin with the consideration of New Business.
10. Each team member must present two debates. Each debate will be worth a maximum of 15 points; if the member exceeds two debates during the demonstration, the top two debates will be counted.
11. Following the disposal of all New Business, the team will perform Closing Ceremonies.
12. Judges will ask one oral question (containing 1-2 parts) of each team member at the conclusion of their demonstration. Members may not consult with or receive help from team members and must answer individually.
13. Written Test: Each team member will be given 45 minutes to complete a test consisting of 25 questions covering:
    • Opening and Closing Ceremonies
    • Standard Order of Business
    • Grange Knowledge
    • Permissible Motions

References/Resources:

• Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (11th Edition)
• National Grange Digest of Laws
• Grange Subordinate Manual
• Dunbar’s Manual of Parliamentary Procedure Test Questions
• Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (11th Edition) in Brief

Awards:

Awards will be presented to the 1st Place Team, High Scoring Individual, and High Scoring Chair. Participatory awards may be presented to other participants.

ParliPro Score Sheet