Parliamentary Procedure in Wisconsin

Groups may adopt a particular manual of procedural rules as their parliamentary authority. The most popular manual is:

• Robert, Henry M. III, Daniel H. Honemann, and Thomas J. Balch, et. al. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised. 12th Edition. Public Affairs, New York, 2020

References that are specific to local governments in Wisconsin are:

• League of Wisconsin Municipalities. The Conduct of Village Board Meetings: Suggested Rules of Procedure with Model Ordinance and Annotations. Madison, Wisconsin: League of Wisconsin Municipalities, 1987
• League of Wisconsin Municipalities. The Conduct of Common Council Meetings: Suggested Rules of Procedure with Model Ordinance and Annotations. Madison, Wisconsin: League of Wisconsin Municipalities, 1987.

Videos

These explanation/demonstration videos feature Dan Hill and Larry Larmer, who both have extensive experience teaching Parliamentary Procedure in Wisconsin. Each is 4-6 minutes long. Topics are:

• Calling the Question
• Seconding the Motion
• Friendly Amendment
• Withdrawing the Motion

PowerPoint Slide Presentations

• Agendas and Minutes for Local Government – (PowerPoint)  These slides provide guidance to those department heads, committee chairs, clerks, and secretaries charged with developing the agendas or minutes for the meetings of local government bodies, including boards, committees, and commissions.
• Fundamentals of Effective Meetings: Basic Principles and Protocol – (PowerPoint).  These slides provide an overview of parliamentary procedure, emphasizing some of the most common areas of concern for presiding officers.  Many slides contain comprehensive notes for instructors.

FAQS & Fact Sheets

• A Few FAQs on Parliamentary Procedure – (PDF) This document, a reproduction of a chapter from the Wisconsin Counties Association’s 2004 Wisconsin County Supervisor’s Handbook, provides an overview of parliamentary procedure for local government.
• Reconsidering Main Motions FAQs – (PDF) Description of the special and rarely used “motion to reconsider.”
• Closing Debate (aka “Calling the Question”) FAQs – (PDF) Describes the proper procedure for ending debate. Also, debunks the common misperception that any member may end debate simply by “calling the question.”
• Voting Procedures for Local Government Bodies FAQs – (PDF) Describes voting procedures, including unanimous consent.
• Participation Rights of the Chairperson FAQs – (PDF) Often poorly understood, the participation rights of the presiding officer are explained in this document. A must-read for anyone teaching about the roles and responsibilities of the chairperson.
• Quorum and Attendance of Members at Local Government Meetings FAQs – (PDF) Describes a quorum and what actions the members of a governmental body may take in the absence of a quorum.
• Contents of Minutes-Include Motions not Seconded FAQ – (PDF)
  Describes a quorum and what actions the members of a governmental body may take in the absence of a quorum.
• Fact Sheet #20: Public Participation in Local Government Body Meetings

Local Meeting Procedure Policies

• Sample Policy for Remote Meeting Procedure
• Sample Policy for Telephone Meeting

Please contact Daniel Foth, Local Government Specialist (daniel.foth@wisc.edu) for questions or additional information.