Local Democratic party sponsors Robert's Rules

John McConnell (photo)

This morning's Robert's Rules of Order Training Session sponsored by the Bexar County Democratic Party was interesting and informative. The venue, the meeting room at GLI Distributing, was as close to ideal as we are apt to come across.

A company representative helped us to get set up, invited us to use any available equipment we might need, and invited us to come back again soon. Such hospitality on the part of a business concern is a rare thing in my experience.

Nylanne Scheidegger, our instructor a highly qualified parliamentarian, presented the basics of parliamentary procedure as specified by Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in an interesting, even entertaining manner. She responded to all interpretations and questions in a manner that demonstrated her deep understanding of her subject matter. The three hours passed fast for me. I was never bored.

Ms. Scheidegger took us through most of the basics that are apt to come up in an ordinary meeting of deliberative bodies such as the executive committees of the Texas Democratic Party. She discussed the role of the chair and the members. She covered the 13 ranked motions and their order of precedence.

She covered incidental motions which are not ranked but which may be made as necessary and appropriate and motions that bring a question again before the assembly. She gave us a wealth of information in the three hours that she spent with us.

Unfortunately, only 13 precinct chairs and activists braved the cold and the early hour to attend this important meeting. Only 10 elected officials of the Bexar County Democratic Party were present by my count. Is this a matter for concern? I think it is.

By law, all important decisions of the BCDP must be made in a meeting of the CEC. Party Rules require that all meetings of the CEC be conducted in accordance with the current edition (the 10th) of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.

Unless most members of the assembly understand the basics of parliamentary procedure and how to conduct themselves according to these procedures, little can be accomplished. There are those who ask why not just forget about the rules and get on with the program. How do we respond to such a suggestion?

The best answer I can come up with is that it wouldn't be democratic. We have sworn to fight for government by the people. Government by the few is not democracy. But we had 13 Democrats in attendance. Revolutions have been started by far fewer. I call on those present to spread the word. Let's make the Bexar County Democratic Party the example for all Texas counties to emulate. Let our revolution be aimed at bringing Democracy back to Texas Government.

John McConnell, Democratic Precinct Chair
Precinct 3047
Bexar County, Texas