Legal Definitions - parliamentarian

A parliamentarian is an expert consultant specializing in parliamentary law and procedure. This individual advises the person presiding over a meeting (often called the "chair" or "presiding officer") and other participants on the correct rules for conducting discussions, making motions, voting, and generally managing the flow of a formal gathering.

It is crucial to understand that a parliamentarian's role is purely advisory. They offer guidance and interpretations of the rules, but they do not make final decisions or "rule" on procedural matters. The ultimate authority to make a ruling always rests with the presiding officer, who may choose to follow or disregard the parliamentarian's advice.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of a parliamentarian:

• Corporate Board Meeting: Imagine a large technology company's board of directors is holding a crucial meeting to decide on a major acquisition. During a complex debate, a board member raises a question about whether a particular motion to postpone a vote is permissible under the company's bylaws and standard meeting rules. The Board Chair, wanting to ensure fairness and adherence to proper procedure, consults the parliamentarian present. The parliamentarian quietly advises the Chair on the correct parliamentary procedure for handling a motion to postpone, clarifying the steps required and the implications. The Chair then uses this advice to make an informed ruling on how to proceed with the motion.

  This example demonstrates how a parliamentarian provides expert guidance to a presiding officer in a high-stakes corporate environment, ensuring that important decisions are made following established rules.

• Non-profit Organization's Annual General Meeting: A national environmental advocacy group is conducting its annual general meeting, attended by hundreds of members. Several members propose amendments to the organization's constitution, leading to confusion about which amendments are in order, how many can be debated simultaneously, and the correct voting sequence. The President, who is chairing the meeting, relies on the parliamentarian to clarify these intricate procedural points. The parliamentarian explains the rules for handling multiple amendments and subsidiary motions, enabling the President to guide the members through the voting process accurately and efficiently.

  This illustrates the parliamentarian's role in helping a large membership organization manage complex procedural issues during a democratic process, ensuring all members' rights are respected and the meeting progresses smoothly.

• University Faculty Senate Session: During a heated debate in a university's Faculty Senate about a new curriculum proposal, a senator challenges another's right to speak on the grounds that their comments are irrelevant to the motion on the floor. The Senate Chair, while experienced, wants to ensure a fair and consistent application of the Senate's rules of order. The parliamentarian, who is often a staff member or an external consultant, provides a discreet interpretation of the Senate's rules regarding relevance and decorum, advising the Chair on whether the point of order is valid. Based on this advice, the Chair then makes a ruling, either upholding or denying the challenge.

  This example highlights the parliamentarian's function in maintaining order and ensuring fair debate within an academic governance body, offering specialized knowledge of procedural rules to the presiding officer.