Meeting Procedures
Youth Wing meetings usually run according to fairly relaxed procedures. Generally speaking, there is only a need for foramlity when there is a debate over a contentious issue, or when we are conducting elections for positions.
Agenda; Apologies and Minutes Meetings are chaired by the President and follow an agenda which is circulated before the event. Usually meetings open with apologies, that is, messages of regret from members who would like to be there but who cannot be. Following that, a meeting will often ratify "minutes" from the previous meeting which are circulated ("minutes" are a record of debates and votes from the prior meeting).
Officebearer Reports The President and other office bearers may give reports on their activites since the last meeting. These reports allow all members to keep up-to-date with what is happening, and enables them to ask questions of the people they have elected to positions.
Guest Speakers At some meetings, guest speakers will be invited to address members. Such speakers may include politicians, business leaders, think tank scholars, lobby group representatives, or prominent community leaders. These speakers usually commence their speeches immediately after the reports by officebearers. After the speech, the Chair may invite questions or comments "from the floor" (from members). At the conclusion of questions, someone will move a "vote of thanks" (a small speech) and members will vote in favour by applauding the visitor.
Motions Next will often come motions which were circulated on the agenda. First come any procedural or Constitutional matters, which are dealt with efficiently. Then policy debate is opened up to the meeting. First discussion deals with matters for which notice has been given on the agenda. After that, the Chairman may call for new matters of business for which no notice has been given.
General Business At the conclusion of a meeting, an opportunity is given to raise any general business, such as discussion of ideas or venues for future meetings, concern about statements by people in the media, and so on.
Policy Debates
At any meeting, members can move motions on any matter of public policy. The motions may either express support or opposition to proposals, or contain new proposals.
How to Word Policy Motions
Each motion usually begins with the words "That this branch..." followed by a statement outlining what you want. For example:
"That this branch condemns the Labor Party plans to force compulsory unionism upon municipal workers employed by the local city council and further call for the resignation of the Labor Party Major."
Motions need not be limited to one sentence. A motion proposing a new initiative will often have several parts. For example:
"That this branch Calls for the government to take the following measures.
(a) Eliminate all taxes levied on the interest earned in personal savings accounts.
(b) Eliminate all taxes which affect income that is invested in private pension funds.
(c) Eliminate all taxes on income that is drawn by aged pensioners from their private pension funds."
How to Prepare a Policy Motion
If you have an idea for a policy resolution, but don't know how best to put it into words, call the branch President or Policy Officer who will be able to help you list a motion for the next meeting. Movers of motions are strongly suggested to research their motion. If you are proposing a new initiative, see what policies have been implemented in the same area by centre-right governments in other countries. Such comparative evidence may demonstrate what approaches work and which do not. Also try contacting a free-market think tank for assistance.
Procedures for Policy Debates
Different branches will have their own "standing orders" (debating rules) - click here for an example. Other branches may have no formal standing orders, but may still use some of the common procedures listed below. Such rules help prevent noisy groups from dominating debate, instead ensuring that all members have an equal right to be heard.
1. All motions should be moved and seconded. If this does not occur, the branch standing orders may deem that the motion will lapse.
2. Once seconded, the Chair may inquire if there is any objection to the motion, and if no member objects, the motion will be declared carried. If there is an objection, the mover will commence speaking on the motion.
3. The mover will be allowed a limited time to open and introduce the motion (three to four minutes). Questions may be asked of the mover after they have finished introducing their idea, to allow clarification of any misunderstandings about the proposition..
4. A member will then be allowed to speak against the motion, raising objections, counter-arguments or contesting the evidence presented by the mover.
5. From this point on, a rotation occurs, whereby the seconder speaks in favour, followed by an opposer of the motion, followed by a speaker in favour, followed by a speaker against ...
6. Amendments may be moved, to change the motion in a way that will remove ambiguities, or fix other perceived problems. An amendment may be acceoted by the mover, in which case it becomes part of the motion. If the mover opposes an amendment, then that amendment is voted on before the vote on the whole motion.
7. There will usually be a limit on the time allocated to any one matter. Before voting occurs, the mover usually has a final right of reply which allows them to sum up their arguments and rebut any criticisms of their idea.
Where to Remit Successful Motions
Motions could be communicated to the parliamentary spokesman for the relevant issue. Some motions are best suited for transmission to a Party politician in local government. Other motions on national or cross-state issues could be sent to national politicians, or taken to the National Convention of the Youth Wing, or could be remitted to a senior party meeting.