North Cache SCC Rules of Order & Procedure
This TEMPLATE is prepared to assist School Community Councils adopt Rules of Order and
Procedure as required (53G-7-1203(9)). The template should be reviewed and amended by
councils to meet their needs or councils may develop their own.
Consider addressing how the council will notice for and conduct elections, including how to
break a tie vote, how to hold an electronic meeting that is open to the public and declare a
conflict of interest (if required by the school board).
ADOPTED BY THE NORTH CACHE SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL ON October 18, 2024
(required).
To promote ethical behavior and civil discourse each council member shall:
- Attend council meetings on time and prepared
- Make decisions with the needs of students as the main objective
- Listen to and value diverse opinions
- Be sure the opinions of those the council represents are included in discussions
- Expect accountability and be prepared to be accountable
- Act with integrity
Rules of Procedure:
Council members will receive training to understand the responsibilities of the council. Council
members receive training before preparing and taking action on School LAND Trust Plans and
reports.(required)
All meetings are open to the public and the public is welcome to attend. (required)
The agenda of each upcoming meeting, with draft minutes of the prior meeting, will be made
available to all council members at least one week in advance, and will be posted on the school
website. The agenda will include the date, time and location of the meeting, and any proposed
action items. (required)
Written minutes will be kept of all meetings, prepared in draft format for approval at the next
scheduled meeting. Approved minutes will be retained for three years. (required)
The council will prepare a timeline for the school year that includes due dates for all required
reporting and other activities/tasks that the council agrees to assume or participate in. The
timeline will assist in preparation of agendas to be sure the council accomplishes their work in a
timely manner. (best practice– example on https://www.schools.utah.gov/schoollandtrust/timelines)
The council consists of the principal, 1 school employee(s) who is/are elected in even years, 1
school employee(s) who is/are elected in odd years, and 1 parent member who is/are elected in
even years, 1 parent member who is/are elected in odd years. (Size of the council MUST BE
ADOPTED BY VOTE OF THE COUNCIL and consistent with 53G-7-1202. Elections are
required to be staggered with half of the council elected each year.)
The chair conducts the meetings (required), makes assignments and requests reports on
assignments. In the absence of the chair the vice-chair shall conduct meetings.
The council must have a quorum to vote (required). A quorum is a majority of council members.
To assure a quorum can be present, establish a process to remove and replace a member, as
needed. (best practice)
Meetings shall be conducted and action taken according to very simplified rules of parliamentary
procedure as required in 53G-7-1203(10). Council actions will be taken by motions and voting
with votes and motions recorded in the minutes. (required)
Simple Motions of Parliamentary Procedure
Used by some organizations to assist those new to the process
| Motion | Does it Require a 2nd? | Is it Debatable? | Can it be Amended? | Is a Vote Required |
| Adjourn | Yes | No | No | Majority |
| Amend a Motion | Yes | Yes | Yes | Majority |
| Close Nominations | Yes | No | Yes | 2/3 |
| Main Motion | Yes | Yes | Yes | Majority |
| Point of Order | No | No | No | Ruled on By Chair |
| Previous Question | Yes | No | No | 2/3 |
| Reconsider | Yes | Yes | No | Majority |
| Withdrawal of Motion | No | No | No | Majority |
A motion (or an action to be taken by the council) is stated as a motion. Someone else on the
council “seconds” the motion indicating that at least one other person on the council feels the
motion is worthy of discussion. Then the council members may provide input and discussion as
called upon by the chair. When discussion seems complete the chair may call for a vote on
the motion. Or when a member of the council “calls the previous question” (a motion to end
discussion of the first motion), a second is required. Without discussion the chair calls for a vote
that must pass by 2/3. If the vote on the previous question fails, the council goes back to
discussing the first motion. If the motion to call the previous question passes, the chair directly
calls for a vote on the first motion. A vote to call the previous question is usually used to move
business along.
- A tie vote is a lost vote.
- Most motions are main motions. A main motion may be amended.
- A point of order is offered when there is some question if procedure had been followed correctly.
- To stop debate or discussion on a motion and force the vote a member would say, “I move the previous question.” This requires a second and a 2/3 vote.
- Hasty action may be corrected by use of the motion to reconsider. This motion may be made only by one who voted on the prevailing side.
- A person who made the motion may withdraw the same motion.
October 2024