Rules of debate – how to participate in OPSEU/SEFPO Conventions (and other meetings)

Article 13 of the Constitution:

1. Before speaking, unless it be on a point of order, a motion for reconsideration or objection to consideration, or a motion for the Orders of the Day, or a question of privilege, a delegate must be recognized by the Chairperson. On being recognized, a delegate shall immediately identify themself by name, Local and/or location.
2. When two or more delegates seek recognition simultaneously, the Chairperson shall decide the order in which they shall be recognized.
3. No delegate may speak for more than three minutes on any motion and no delegate may speak twice on the same motion until all other delegates who wish to speak on that motion have had an opportunity to do so.
4. No delegate may interrupt another delegate who has the floor except for the points or motions listed in Rule 1, above.
5. Any delegate who refuses to take their seat when called upon by the Chairperson to do so may, at the discretion of the Chairperson, be suspended from the remainder of the Convention or any part thereof, and if any delegate persistently engages in unparliamentary behaviour, the Chairperson shall name them and ask the Convention to impose appropriate sanctions.
6. The Chairperson may participate in a debate provided they vacate the Chair and does not return until the question has been disposed of.
7. Any motion, once the debate has begun, becomes the business of the Convention and may be withdrawn or replaced by the mover only if there is no objection or, if there be any objection, only with the consent of the Convention.
8. Where a motion or resolution may be amended, an amendment, and an amendment to the amendment (i.e., a sub-amendment), shall be in order. No further sub-amendment shall be in order until the first has been disposed of.
9. Questions shall normally be decided by a show of hands or other acceptable method. Where reasonable doubt may exist, on demand by at least 20 delegates, another show of hands or equivalent shall be called for. Only then, on demand by at least 20 delegates, shall a counted vote be taken. Abuse of this rule shall be considered unparliamentary behaviour, subject to Rule 5. On a motion, supported by a majority of delegates present and voting, a roll-call vote shall be ordered. The motion for a roll-call vote may be moved at any time prior to the question being called.
10. A majority or a two-thirds majority in any vote shall be calculated on the basis of delegates present and voting, or casting valid ballots (in the case of written votes).
11. The Chairperson may vote on any question. In the case of a tie, they may cast the deciding vote. If they do not break the tie, the motion is lost.
12. A delegate may challenge a decision of the Chairperson. A seconder is required and the issue is not debatable except that the challenger and the Chairperson may each, respectively, state briefly the basis for the challenge and the decision. The Chairperson shall then vacate the Chair and a Vice-Chairperson shall put the question: “Shall the decision of the Chairperson be the decision of this assembly?” A majority vote is required to overturn the decision of the Chairperson.
13. No delegate who has spoken on a question may move or second referral, the previous question, or any other motion that would have the effect of denying or limiting the right of others to speak on the question.
14. A motion to adjourn, table, postpone, or otherwise delay may be repeated after progress.
15. A delegate may move “that the previous question be put.” It is not debatable and, if adopted by a two-thirds majority, has the effect of closing debate on only the immediate motion, amendment, or sub-amendment.
16. Any committee bringing a resolution or report before the Convention shall move adoption, any recommendation of the committee notwithstanding.
17. Resolutions and reports of committees may not be amended on the floor of the Convention but they may be referred back without instruction, which is not debatable, or with instructions, which is debatable.
18. A motion to reconsider a question may be made by a delegate who voted with the prevailing side on that question. This motion must be made during the same or immediately succeeding session of the Convention at which the question was decided and must be supported by a majority.
19. A notice of motion to reconsider a question may be given by any delegate who voted with the prevailing side and such notice must be given at the same session of the Convention at which the question was decided. The motion to reconsider then stands to be called up at the next session, or within 24 hours. Any delegate may call up the motion, which requires a simple majority vote to be adopted. If not called up within 24 hours, or if final adjournment shall have intervened, the effect of the notice is lost.
20. When debate begins on the substance of a resolution or constitutional amendment, the Chairperson shall give the opportunity to speak first to a delegate chosen by and from the organization(s) that originated it. If this interrupts the established speaking order, the previous order shall be resumed after the delegate speaks.
21. The Rules of Order and the Order of Business, once adopted, may be changed only by a two-thirds vote.
22. Any rule of order and procedure can be temporarily suspended by a two-thirds majority of the delegates registered.

13.12 The quorum at any Convention shall be one half of the delegates registered and entitled to vote.