1. Kentucky FFA Parliamentary Procedure Contest
Judges Instructions
 Reference
The new reference for the contest is “Dunbar’s Parliamentary Procedure Competitive
Events Handbook”. Significant changes from the old book include:
o No member can debate more than twice on an issue
o Team members should not yell out, “question” or “I call for the question”
o Chair raps the gavel once after stating a motion passes or fails
o The only appropriate terms are a “majority vote” and a “2/3 Vote” – there is no
such thing as a “2/3 majority”
o Dunbar directs that seconds should be made without recognition
o It is acceptable for the chair to take notes during the demonstration.
•
Event cards
o The judge’s event card in the packet tells which member should move each
ability.
o A card is located at each member’s seat that has their designated ability
underlined.
o The President will now say, “I now declare this meeting duly opened to the
transaction of business or attention to any matters which may properly be
presented. Is there any new business?”
o It is acceptable for the member who has the main motion or the motion to
reconsider on his/her card to be the only person to stand when the President
asks for new business.
o Abilities do not have to be used in the order they are listed, but must be moved
by the correct person at a time in the meeting that makes sense (i.e. previous
question should only be moved after there has been debate on an issue.)
o Teams may use additional abilities with no penalty, however, credit will only be
given for the motions listed on the event card.
o There is no longer a participating judge in this contest.
•
Prior to the Contest
o Judges should review the rules and event cards and discuss how parliamentary
abilities should be handled by teams.
o A time keeper should be designated as well as someone to say the advisors part
in opening ceremonies.
o Each judge should be given a copy of the score sheet for each chapter.
o An area should be designated for the President and Secretary to report to
complete the minutes.

2. •
Time Limit
o Time begins when the President states, “I now declare this meeting duly
opened…”
o Time stops when the President says, “We are about to adjourn….”
o The time keeper will stand at 9 minutes (9:00 on the stopwatch).
o The team has until 10:29 to complete business. A team is penalized if they go to
10:30 or beyond.
•
Point Breakdown
o Opening Ceremonies- 120 Points.
Opening Ceremonies should be correct, complete, and have a positive effect.
Points may be deducted for poor or incomplete official dress.
o Parliamentary Presentation of Motions- 180 Points.
Each of the 9 students gets 20 points for correctly and appropriately moving his
or her assigned ability.
Example 1- The Treasurer was assigned to Postpone Definitely. After a
motion has been discussed she stands and states “I move to postpone
the motion to hold a cookout until our next regularly scheduled
meeting.” She would get a full 20 points for moving the motion correctly
and at an appropriate time.
Example 2- Member #2 was assigned Previous Question. As soon as a
motion to hold the cookout is held, he rises and states, “I move the
previous question.” He would get half credit or 10 points because he
stated it correctly but at an inappropriate time.
o Discussion- 180 Points
Each of the 9 students gets 20 points for his/her BEST discussion of the
demonstration. Good discussion has completeness of thought, logical reasoning,
clear statement of the speaker’s position, conviction of delivery, and concise and
effective statement of the debate.
o Chair Ability To Preside- 60 Points
40 points for ability to preside, handling motions correctly, keeping members
informed, use of the gavel, and distribution of discussion.
20 points for leadership, stage presence, poise, self control, politeness, & voice.
o Minutes- 50 Points
Completeness, accuracy, format, and grammar.
The first paragraph of the minutes should include the type of meeting, group
holding the meeting, date and hour of the meeting, notation of presiding officer
and secretary.
The body should include final wording of all main motions, name of person who
moved each motion, and whether the motion passed or failed. All other motions
moved during the meeting should be included as well. (It is not necessary to
record seconds, however teams will not be penalized for including seconds.)

3. The final paragraph should include a sentence containing the hour of
adjournment. Minutes should be signed by the secretary.