Lesson 1: Basic Principles This lesson covers the basic principles of group decision-making, including the rights of the majority, the minority, individuals, and absentees.
Lesson 2: The Meeting This lesson covers types of meetings, such as regular, special, and adjourned meetings. Also covered are the basics of agendas and types of business conducted in meetings.
Lesson 3: Main Motions This lesson covers the basis for all group decision-making: the main motion. It is the adoption of the main motion that determines what action will be taken in the name of the group.
The six steps in processing a main motion are identified and explained in a manner that will give confidence to any president. Resolutions, improper motions, and general consent are also explained.
Lesson 4: Privileged and Subsidiary Motions Don’t let the classification titles scare you – these are motions that help the group either handle urgent business (like adjourning or taking a recess) or handle the main motion (such as amending, referring it to a committee, or stopping or limiting debate). These are also called the ranking motions, because they have a definite rank that can be learned, so you’ll always know if something is in order.
Lesson 5: Incidental and “Bring Back” Motions Incidental motions are just that – items of business that are incidental to the main proposal being considered. They can include how the vote will be taken, questions of procedure or information about the motion, or complaints that a rule is being violated – the point of order.
"Bring back" motions, as the title implies, are the motions that bring something back to the assembly, either because it will be reconsidered or rescinded.
Lesson 6: Voting, Nominations & Elections This lesson covers the basics of taking votes and handling nominations and elections.
Lesson 7: Executive Board, Officers This lesson covers the role of the board of directors and the common duties of each of the officers of that board. The role of the director on the board is also explained.
Lesson 8: Standing & Special Committees This lesson covers the common duties and roles of committees, whether formed to have a continuing purpose (standing) or formed for one particular task or project (special). Also explained is how to write effective committee reports, and the archaic concepts of committee of the whole and its forms.
Lesson 9: Bylaws The bylaws are the most important governing document of any association, and understanding an association’s bylaws is imperative for a good leader. This section explains how bylaws are organized and gives some commonly-accepted principles for interpretation.
Lesson 10: Debate & Decorum A good presiding officer knows how to keep the discussion impersonal, and how to make sure everyone’s input receives the respect it deserves. This lesson gives the presiding officer the guidelines needed for recognizing speakers.
Lesson 11: Basics of The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure This lesson explains the philosophy of TSC, and some of the motions that are handled differently than under Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.
Lesson 12: The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure This lesson highlights the way business in handled under TSC, outlining reference committees, Internet voting, etc.
