Special Rules of Order
From Pirate Party of Canada
These rules apply at general meetings and exist to supplement the 4th edition of Robert's Rules of Order in our general meetings - the 4th edition being used because it is in the public domain.
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Open Debate
Instead of debate being handled by the chair recognizing individual members to speak, debate can also be held on Internet chat with everyone being allowed to speak at once. This rule cannot be used when the debate is not being conducted by an Internet chat session. This debate is called open debate, in contrast to the usual style of alternating debate.
In open debate, anyone can speak once. Normal debating limits do not apply. The default limit for open debate is 20 minutes, although this can be changed by a motion to Limit or Extend Limits of Debate. If a member wishes to move a motion, he should seek the floor exclusively by addressing the chair; the chair will ask the assembly to be quiet and recognize the member. Where a member would normally have a right to the first speech, that member has the right to a 5-minute speech at the start of an open debate.
Open debate can be imposed or lifted by a motion to Limit or Extend the Limits of Debate. Unless otherwise specified by the assembly, the time spent talking in open debate does not count for time in regular debate, nor vice versa. By default, a motion to switch the type of debate lasts until the immediately pending question is disposed of. If the motion is put off in some fashion, it will continue to apply if it comes again before the assembly on the same day.
Default Open Debate
Open debate shall be the default, and all debate shall be open unless specified in a motion to Limit or Extend the Limits of Debate.
Vote by Telephone and Internet
Through a motion to modify a vote, taken in normal procedure, the assembly can decide to require that the vote for a motion be conducted by telephone and Internet polling. Such voting shall, by default, be opened 24 hours after the conclusion of the meeting at which it was ordered and will remain open for one week. It can never be shorter than a week, nor can it remain open past the start of the next session, unless that is required to meet the minimum. A message shall be sent out to the entire membership detailing the motions being voted, along with instructions and the location of logs of the meeting at which the vote(s) were called. Any member may vote. The vote may be public or secret, as appropriate.
If the motion to be voted on in this fashion adheres to another motion, then when the vote is to be taken, the motion to which it adheres (as well as anything else adhering to it) is automatically postponed to the first meeting after the vote. The motion to modify the vote may specify to make a motion postponed in this fashion into a special order for that meeting; if that is the case, a two-thirds majority is required.
Mandatory Votes by Telephone and Internet
Votes on the following must be held by telephone and Internet. No motion is required to choose the alternate voting method. A mail-in ballot is an acceptable substitute.
- A motion to amend the bylaws or constitution.
- A motion to adopt or amend a platform.
- Any disciplinary action for any issue outside of a meeting.
- A motion to adopt, amend, or repeal a special rule of order.
- Any other motion requiring notice.
- An election to the Federal Council.
This rule cannot be suspended, as granting the power to suspend it would often defeat its purpose. Any majority strong enough to suspend this rule would be strong enough to adopt most of these votes without a telephone and Internet vote.
