Convention Rules & Procedures

Convention rules work with the LWVC bylaws and Robert’s Rules of Order to ensure a well-run meeting. They are the rules that are consulted first during the running of the General Session.

1.      ADMISSION

  • Only persons wearing authorized badges are admitted to the convention.
  • Badges must be worn at all meetings, including general sessions, workshops, and caucuses.

2.    SEATING

  • Only delegates may sit in the delegate area.
  • Observers, other nonvoting members, and visitors sit in designated areas.

3.    VOTING

Only accredited local League delegates, local League and ILO presidents or their alternates, and members of the LWVC board may vote.

4.    ALTERNATES

  • If a delegate leaves the convention before final adjournment, an alternate delegate may be designated for the duration of the convention.
  • The alternate delegate must be registered with the Credentials (or Registration) Committee.
  • A delegate who temporarily leaves the general session may not give his/her badge  to an alternate delegate to cast a vote.

5. OBSERVERS

Each authorized Member-at-Large (MAS/MAL) Unit may be represented at convention by official observers.  They may participate in discussion and debate, but may NOT vote.

6.    VISITORS

League members or nonmembers may attend as visitors and may observe all convention meetings and other events where space permits. They may not participate in discussion or vote.

7.    PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

Past state presidents, national board members, state board nominees, nominating committee chair, official observers, consultants, and committee members shall be extended the privilege of the floor. They may participate in discussion and debate, but may NOT vote.

8.      DEBATE AND DISCUSSION

  • Use the provided microphones to speak to the convention.
  • During debate, microphones are designated Pro and Con; during free discussion, the microphones are numbered.
  • State your name and League before saying anything else.
  • During debate on a motion, the speaker has two (2) minutes to offer remarks. The chair is authorized to shorten or extend the time.
  • During debate on a motion, no person may speak more than once until all others who wish to speak have done so. No person may speak more than twice on the same motion.
  • During free discussion, each speaker has two (2) minutes to speak.
  • During free discussion, no motions are allowed.

9.    MOTIONS

  • Main motions, or amendments of more than a few words, must be in writing. Forms for motions are provided at convention and are available from the Doorkeepers/Runners.
  • Give copies of the motion to the people on the dais, specifically the president and the secretary, and give one to the person controlling the convention projector.

10.  MOTIONS OR REQUESTS THAT INTERRUPT THE SPEAKER (RED CARD MOTIONS)

Some motions or requests need immediate attention. These are “red card” motions.

  • These are motions or requests that may use a red card:
    • point of order;
    • parliamentary inquiry;
    • personal privilege; or
    • requests for information.
  • Consult the parliamentary aide to determine whether use of the red card is appropriate before going to a microphone. (See Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance for more information on motions that may interrupt.)
  • For these, go directly to a microphone and ask the microphone monitor for a red card. There is no need to wait in line.
  • A red card cannot be used for discussion or debate or to make any other motion.

11. PRESENTATION AND ADOPTION OF PROGRAM

The procedure shall be as follows:

  • Procedure for the Recommended Program:
    • The proposed 2023-2025 LWVC Program is moved for adoption by a member of the LWVC Board. Debate and action on the Recommended Program will take place at a time designated by the Chair.
    • During the times specified in the agenda for Program consideration and Program debate, the Chair will divide the time among the Program items to ensure fair and equitable debate on all items.
  • Procedure for Considering Not-Recommended Program Items:
    • Any delegate may move for consideration of a not-recommended Program item. Items must be listed in the Convention Workbook and the wording must conform to that contained in the workbook list.
    • The delegate making the motion may speak on behalf of the motion for up to three (3) minutes. No debate or additional motions are in order at this time.
    • If a not-recommended item is moved for consideration, any delegate may request a statement from the LWVC Board, limited to three (3) minutes, during which they provide the reasons for not recommending the item.
    • After all the not-recommended items have been moved for consideration, a vote for consideration of each shall take place in the order in which the items were moved.
    • A majority vote is required to consider a not-recommended item as part of the proposed program.
    • Debate and voting on not-recommended Program items occurs during debate and action on the proposed Program.
    • A three-fifths (60%) vote is required to adopt not-recommended Program items.
  • Procedure for CONCURRENCE:
    • Program items may be moved for concurrence if they meet the requirements in the Concurrence Policy printed in the Convention Workbook and have been submitted by the program planning deadline.
    • Items moved for concurrence will be considered during debate and action on the proposed Program.
  • Amending Program Items
    • Wording of all proposed program items (recommended and not-recommended) may be amended during program discussion and debate at the time specified in the order of business. The president will ask if there are any  proposed amendments.
    • A recommended item may not be enlarged by amendment.
    • Any proposal that enlargesa recommended item must be presented as a not-recommended item following the rules above.

12.   BUDGET ADOPTION

Any motion to amend the proposed budget contained in the Convention Workbook must be presented to the Budget Adjustment Committee before introduction to the general session.

  • The delegate making the motion to amend may speak on behalf of the motion for three (3) minutes.
  • If a motion to amend is made, any delegate may request a statement from the LWVC Board, limited to three (3) minutes, during which they provide the reasons for not recommending the item.
  • Debate on any motion to amend the proposed budget follows the Debate and Discussion in Rule 8 above.

13.   RESOLUTIONS

Resolutions to Express the Will of the Convention may be offered by any local League or ILO. Resolutions cannot be used to expand or modify the procedure described in Rule 11 for adoption of positions or Issues for Emphasis.

Procedure for adopting resolutions:

  • Motions expressing the Will of the Convention must be submitted to the secretary no later than 4:30 PM on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
  • The Resolutions Committee will use the following criteria to judge the appropriateness of proposed resolutions. The resolution:
    • has complied with procedural requirements of this rule;
    • is consistent with LWVC Bylaws, League Principles and League Positions;
    • does not seek to change motions on Recommended Program or motions to adopt a not-recommended program item;
    • addresses a single, topical issue;
    • has a minimal LWVC budgetary impact; and
    • addresses something about California.
  • The Resolutions Committee will report its findings on all submitted resolutions.
  • Any resolution reported by the Resolutions Committee as complying with the criteria may be moved for consideration of the convention.
  • Resolutions to Express the Will of the Convention are main motions and follow Rules 8 and 9.
  • Adoption of a resolution requires a majority vote.
  • If the Resolutions Committee reports a resolution as not complying with the criteria, the convention delegates may override the decision by a two-thirds (66%) vote. The resolution may then be moved for consideration of the convention.

14.   ELECTION OF LWVC OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, & NOMINATING COMMITTEE

  • The slate of Officers, the Board of Directors, or the Nominating Committee proposed by the LWVC Nominating Committee may be approved by a voice vote if there are no nominations from the floor.
  • Prior to submitting a nomination from the floor, the person to be nominated must agree to the nomination and the motion to nominate the person must state that the person has agreed to the nomination.
  • If nominations for Officer, the Board of Directors, and/or the Nominating Committee are made from the floor, creating a contested race, the vote will be by paper ballot.
  • The Elections Committee is responsible for providing and counting the ballots.
  • All candidates for office will comply with the LWVC Campaign Policy and sign the LWVC Fair Campaign Practices Principles as indicated on the next page.

FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES PRINCIPLES

As a candidate for LWVC office, I pledge the following:

I will conduct my campaign for the LWVC Board of Directors or Nominating Committee openly and fairly. I will discuss the issues and participate in fair public debate with respect to my views and qualifications.

I will neither engage in nor be involved with unfair or misleading attacks upon the character of an opponent, nor will I engage in invasion of personal privacy unrelated to fitness for office.

I will not be part of any appeal to prejudice.

I will neither use nor be involved with the use of any campaign material or advertisement that misrepresents, distorts or otherwise falsifies the facts regarding an opponent. I will clearly identify (by name and address) the source of all advertisements and campaign literature published or distributed.

I will publicly repudiate support deriving from an individual or group whose activities would violate the Fair Campaign Practices Principles.

In signing this pledge, I assume personal control over and responsibility for the conduct of my campaign.

15.   ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • All announcements will be made by the LWVC secretary.
  • Forms for announcements will be available at the Registration Desk during Convention.