Rules & Procedures
The proposed rules of Convention (below) are adopted by a majority vote at the beginning of Convention, but may be amended, rescinded or suspended later by a two-thirds vote.
The proposed Order of Business must also be adopted by majority vote at the beginning of Convention. Changes may be proposed as amendments. After adoption, a two-thirds vote is required to make a change.
Parliamentary procedure will be used during plenary, with the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th Edition as a reference. Although this might seem complicated, the purpose is simple—to uphold basic League principles by encouraging civil discourse and ensuring that delegates have an equitable opportunity to be heard. To assist you, the parliamentarian will be available before each plenary session. Throughout each plenary session, the parliamentarian will be available for immediate guidance. You can also reference these Parliamentary Motions at a Glance or LWVUS Parliamentary Guidance.
Proposed Rules of Convention
Convention rules, not covered by LWVIL Bylaws, are adopted at the beginning of convention. The Rules of Convention may be amended prior to adoption by a majority vote. The rules as a whole, either amended or as given below, require a two-thirds vote from the delegates for adoption. After adoption, the Rules of Convention may be amended or suspended by a two-thirds vote.
Should there be any proposed amendments to these rules, members are advised to submit them to convention@lwvil.org by June 13 so they can be posted before voting.
The current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised 12th edition (9/1/2020) will govern all matters not covered in the rules or in the bylaws.
COMMUNITY NORMS
It is the intent of this body to conduct its business in a respectful manner and adhere to these community norms:
Be respectful. Assume positive intent, but understand impact.
Bring your full self and limit distractions
If, in the opinion of the presiding officer or the Convention team, a delegate is not adhering to community norms the delegate will be asked to step out of the convention room.
ADMISSION TO THE PLENARY SESSIONS
Delegates should plan to sign in before the plenary start time to allow for checking of credentials. Admission shall be limited to those displaying authorized badges. Doors are closed promptly when each session convenes. Doors will be closed during a vote and no one may enter or leave.
SEATING
Delegates shall be seated with fellow Local League delegates. Delegates have priority seating at the front of the room. If there are open seats among delegates, an observer may occupy the open seat.
DELEGATES
Only registered delegates who are checked in during credentialing may make motions and vote. All state board members are delegates of the state League.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Delegates may be recognized to speak during the debate period after topic presentation is completed and questions have been answered.
QUESTIONS
After a presentation is completed, the presenter will call for questions. Time limit for Q&A is 10 minutes. After questions are answered, a debate may be called.
DEBATE
Debate can take place after a motion or amendment has been presented.
Delegates must state their name and the name of their League.
Total debate time for each motion or amendment is limited to 10 minutes unless the presiding officer extends the time by making a motion to suspend the rules to add additional debate time.
Debate from the floor is limited to one minute per speaker in order to allow the maximum number of speakers to participate.
Speakers should each make a new point rather than agreeing with another speaker.
No one shall speak more than once to a motion or amendment until all who desire the Privilege of the Floor have spoken or the time period has elapsed. Second opportunity to speak is at the discretion of the presiding officer.
MOTIONS OR AMENDMENTS
Motions or amendments of more than a few words must be submitted in writing by June 13, 2025 to convention@lwvil.org in order to have the motions prepared for the sessions. Amendments of a few words submitted during plenary will need to be submitted in the Q&A function and titled “amendment proposal” before being discussed for consideration.
VOTING
The presiding officer shall decide which method of voting should be employed. Voting may be done
By Standing Delegates vote by standing
By Voting Cards Delegates vote with “yes” or “no” cards
PROCEDURAL ISSUES
A delegate may call for a point of order, a request for information, a parliamentary inquiry or a question of privilege. Delegates must state the specific procedural issue, their name, and the name of their League.
CREDENTIALS REPORT
The credentials report shall be given by the credentials committee at the beginning of each plenary session. The report shall include the number of delegates in attendance and number of Leagues represented, and whether a quorum is present. The credentials report shall be updated as requested by the presiding officer of the convention or upon motion of the convention.
NOMINATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
The nominating committee report shall be presented by the chair of the nominating committee. After reading the names and positions slated and the 2025-27 nominating chair and members, the current chair’s work is concluded. The presiding officer shall call for nominations from the floor for each office, requiring:
Name and local League of member placing a name in nomination
Name, local League of nominee, position sought and confirmation of nominee’s willingness to serve (no second needed)
Nominee may have two minutes to speak
Slated candidate being opposed may have two minutes to speak.
Presiding officer shall ask if there are other nominations from the floor and repeat the process.
ADOPTION OF PROGRAM
Proposed program items will be presented to the convention and motions made. Then the presenter will ask if there are questions.
CONSIDERATION OF NON-RECOMMENDED PROGRAM ITEM
Program recommendations submitted by local League members and boards three months in advance of Convention are eligible for consideration by the LWV of Illinois Board of Directors and Convention delegates. Those Program proposals not recommended by the LWVIL board may be moved for consideration after the presentation of the recommended state Program. This year, there are four such eligible items listed on the Program report.
The wording for the motion for consideration of a non-recommended Program proposal should be submitted to convention@lwvil.org by June 13, 2025. The mover may make a statement, limited to one minute, explaining the reason for consideration and the chair of Issues & Advocacy may explain, limited to one minute, why the item was not recommended. Debate and then vote on consideration of each not recommended item will be taken.
At the afternoon plenary, the recommended Program items will be voted on; these require a majority vote. Then, the not recommended Program items will be voted on; these require a two-thirds vote for adoption. The presiding officer will decide the voting method.
CONSIDERATION OF NOT-RECOMMENDED BYLAWS AMENDMENTS
The deadline for local Leagues to propose bylaws amendments was three months prior to convention, per the Bylaws of the League of Women Voters of Illinois. None were submitted.
MOTIONS EXPRESSING THE WILL OF THE CONVENTION
Will of Convention motions direct the state League to take legislative or administrative action related to state government or to state League program or administration. A motion may also direct the state League to request action on the national level.
A delegate wishing to make such a motion is encouraged to submit the Will of the Convention motion before June 13, 2025 to convention@lwvil.org . These motions shall not be binding and may not divert human and financial resources from the adopted League program or budget. The motion itself shall be presented at morning plenary. The mover may make a statement, limited to one minute, explaining the reason for asking consideration.
All Will of Convention motions shall be voted during the morning plenary as provided in the Order of Business and require a majority vote to pass.
DIRECTION TO THE BOARD
Direction to the board occurs at the end of convention and is an opportunity for a member to make a suggestion to the board. There is no vote and the board has no obligation to respond or comply.
PROCEDURE FOR CONCURRENCE AT CONVENTION
The deadline to propose the adoption or amendment of a state League position by concurrence on the floor of the convention must be sent to all Leagues at least six weeks before convention and must include background information, including pros and cons on the issue and an explanation of the rationale for using this form of member agreement.
No concurrence information was sent to the state League by members or local Leagues by the deadline identified in the LWVIL bylaws, therefore no concurrence will be considered.
RECORDING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Delegates may not use any visual or audio recording devices to record presentations or speakers or to share any part of the convention. Delegates may not take any screenshots or photos of any presentation or slide, or share representations of any internal League business on any internet platform. LWVIL may record presentations including speakers for archival purposes.
USE OF DELEGATE ALTERNATES
Delegates are expected to represent their League for the entire Convention. If a delegate is unable to continue for a serious reason (Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th Edition) they must notify their League president. The local League president must notify the Convention presiding officer to make arrangements for their League’s first registered alternate to replace that delegate until the end of the convention.
TECHNICAL ISSUES
In the event of major technical disruption in the plenary that affects quorum, the chair will have the option to recess, or to adjourn and fix the time at which to reconvene, at which time members will again reconvene the plenary.
All Convention materials are available as a printable packet for those who prefer to reference a hard copy.
If you have questions, please email convention@lwvil.org.