Empowering Youth Through Parliamentary Procedure

Quick Tips for Leaders and Club Presidents

Program Contact

Autumn Britt, 4-H Program Manager
Phone Number509-588-7817 Email Address • autumn.britt@wsu.edu

Parliamentary procedure can be a powerful tool to bring out the voices of all youth in your 4-H club. These tips will help make the transition into this structure smooth for everyone involved.

Teach parliamentary procedure to your club

• Use experiential activities to share basic parliamentary procedure protocol.
  • Parli-Pro-Trail-Mix
    Youth (and adults) will learn how to make, discuss, and vote on motions using parliamentary procedure in a fun, hands-on way.
  • Beach Ball Review
    Participants will review parliamentary procedure in a fun and engaging manner. The activity also allows facilitators to assess what participants know about parliamentary procedure.
  • Order of Business
    Participants will learn how a business meeting is organized and determine how they might want to organize their own club meeting agenda.
  • Parli Pro Printables (PDF)
    Use this PDF printable to remind club members what phrases they use to propose motions, second motions, and amend motions. It includes a page of reminder phrases for presiding officers as well.
• Ask experienced members to help teach or lead activities.
• Some youth clubs have posted videos to YouTube on parliamentary procedure. They may be helpful in orienting your club to the process. Parliamentary Procedure Basics – Oregon 4-H (YouTube video) is a helpful resource to start with.

Orient new members and adults

• Do you have several new members? It’s a good time for a refresher lesson!
• If you only have a few new members in the club, pair an experienced member with new 4-Hers to explain the process and help them participate until they feel comfortable doing so on their own.

Don’t get caught up in the perfect use of parliamentary procedure

• A 4-H Club isn’t the Senate Floor; focus on the basics. The basics are the most necessary components to give everyone a voice.
• Only accepting perfection or attempting to follow the nitty-gritty of all parliamentary procedure rules will likely make youth feel unsure of how to participate instead of empowered.
• Remember, your 4-H club’s most important mission is to create a place for youth to feel they belong and experience a safe space to make mistakes.
• Some disruptions are unavoidable – try to keep a sense of humor.

Voting Tips

• Voting can take place in many ways. Some voting methods are better than others based on what decision is being made and what personalities are present.
  • Secret Ballot: This is the correct option for voting on officer roles and other sensitive matters. This type of vote should not be tallied in view of club members or others.
  • Voice Vote: This type of voting is called for by the chair when they ask “all in favor say AYE” or “all opposed say NAY.”
  • Movement Vote: Standing or raising of hands to vote. This style voting may stop members from voting for a minority or unpopular view if they feel uncomfortable identifying their position.
• Only youth club members can vote, including youth officers. The presiding chair (often the club President) only votes to break a tie.

Discussion/Debate Tips

• Arrange tables/chairs in a large circle, “u” or hollow square/rectangle. Members are more likely to actively participate in discussions when they can see and address one another (no one is in the back or the corner; no one is left out).
• The chair should always show preference to the proposer of the motion.
• A member who has not spoken should be given the floor over one who has already discussed the question at hand, or who frequently claims the attention of the group.
• If the chair knows the opinions of the various members regarding the measure before the house, the chair should alternate between those favoring the measure and those opposing it.
• If the chair doesn’t know members’ opinions or if discussion grows quiet within a room heavy with unshared views ask “Can anyone think of a concern or opposing view to share?”
• Discussion must be confined to the question that is “before the club.” Staying focused helps members participate and not get lost within tangents.
• Get creative with communication
  • Consider having the group Think-Pair-Share instead of debate. Members should first think quietly about their concerns, questions, and ideas, then share them with a partner. Afterward, everyone takes turns sharing their thoughts within the group. consider asking members to share their partner’s thoughts instead of their own – let them know ahead of time so they can practice their listening skills.
  • If discussion isn’t productive because many members aren’t comfortable sharing their viewpoint, or if you just want to have fun, start a “Snowball Fight.” Have members write their concerns, questions, and ideas on a loose piece of paper, crumple it up, and toss it to another member. Have the 4-Hers randomly toss the “snowballs” several times so they are thoroughly mixed up. Everyone can then choose a snowball near them at random to un-crumple and share with the group. This can also be a way to stimulate discussion if youth are asked to respond to the statement they read with agree, disagree, and any justification for their position. To get a variety of responses to different ideas, crumple the papers again, have another “Snowball Fight,” and repeat the process.
• Consider a talking piece
  • With groups that tend to talk over one another, or who need more structure in taking turns with their ideas, consider using a talking piece. This can be a stick, a ball, a stuffed animal, or any other token the club consistently uses to indicate who’s turn it is to speak.
• Start a Parking Lot for ideas that don’t fit the topic but might be discussed later. This can be done with sticky notes, on flip chart paper, a white board, or other means to record ideas. These ideas can then be returned to later in the day or at a future meeting.

When needed, use positive and strategic counseling

• Positively counsel attendees that are engaging in distracting or inappropriate behaviors by suggesting positive alternatives. For example, instead of chastising a member for speaking out of turn, instead remind them, “Remember to wait until the chair recognizes you. Only one person may speak at a time.“
• Actively ignore harmless, but irritating, behavior whenever possible, so long as it doesn’t disrupt the meeting and respond positively as soon as the 4-Her refocuses with appropriate behavior.

Originally authored by Alison White, Washington State University Extension, January 2018.