House of Delegates
The Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) House of Delegates is the policy-forming body of the Association. At each Annual Convention & Exposition, the House of Delegates convenes to discuss proposed policy changes and review the MPA Bylaws. After discussion and vote on any proposed changes, those resolutions are directed to the MPA Executive Board for review and recommendation.
Those representing pharmacy professionals across the state in the House of Delegates include delegates from the Executive Board, the Michigan Society of Pharmacy Technicians, local associations, regional societies and the Michigan colleges of pharmacy. In addition, following approval of a Bylaws amendment in 2012, pharmacist members who reside in counties with no active local association or who have not designated a local association can apply to serve as a delegate.
To access a copy of the MPA bylaws, revised 2022, click here.
If you have any questions regarding the House of Delegates, please contact MPA at HoD@MichiganPharmacists.org.
New Delegate Briefing Video
A video is available online that covers important topics for those who are new to serving as a delegate to the MPA House of Delegates, or those who have not served in a while. The video covers roles of House officials, the purpose and composition of the House, registration for the session, how to be recognized on the House floor and much more.
Click on the black bars below for additional information about the House of Delegates.
Speaker of the House Responsibilities
- presides at all meetings of the House of Delegates
- appoints a parliamentarian at meetings of the House of Delegates
- may appoint Committees of the House of Delegates as deemed necessary
- shall present a report to the delegates at each meeting of the House of Delegates
- appoints members to serve on the Local Association Development Committee
Vice Speaker of the House Responsibilities
- presides at all meetings of the House of Delegates and performs the responsibilities of the Speaker in his/her absence
- serves as chairman of the Local Association Development Committee
Secretary of the House of Delegates Responsibilities
- administers the procedures for delegate certification
- prepares and submits the minutes of the House of Delegates to the delegates
Parliamentarian Responsibilities
- serves as an expert opinion in the rules and usages of deliberative assembly. Robert’s Rules of Order serves as the Parliamentarian’s reference.
It is the responsibility of the House of Delegates to interpret the objectives of the Association as stated in the Bylaws and to serve as the policy-forming body of the Association. The House of Delegates will act on all policy reports and adopt resolutions of policy directed to the Executive Board. The House of Delegates will also act on proposals for amendment of the Bylaws. The House of Delegates may adopt rules of procedures for the governing and administration of the House of Delegates.
The House of Delegates is the legislative division of the Association, composed of representatives of the following organizations: recognized components, affiliated chapters and Executive Board members. All delegates must be members of the Association in good standing.
- Recognized Component Organizations
Each recognized component organization (local association and regional society) of pharmacists shall be entitled to three delegates for the first 50 dues-paid active members and one additional delegate for each additional 50 dues-paid active members or major fraction thereof, designating membership in the recognized component organization. - Affiliated Chapters
Each recognized affiliated chapter of the Association, including student chapters, is entitled to three delegates for the first 50 dues-paid active, associate, pharmacy technician or student members, and one additional delegate for each additional 50 dues-paid active, associate, pharmacy technician or student member or major fraction thereof, designating membership in the affiliated chapter. - Executive Board
The Executive Board members, during their term of office, shall serve as ex officio voting members of the House of Delegates. - Members from Non-Local Counties
Active members residing in counties without local associations shall collectively be entitled up to three delegates for the first fifty dues-paid active members and one additional delegate for each additional fifty dues-paid members or major fraction thereof, designating membership in non-local counties of the Association. Delegates will be appointed and/or selected from member applications by the Speaker of the House.
The secretary of each organization represented in the House of Delegates shall certify to the Secretary of the House of Delegates the names and addresses of each appointed or elected delegate. Each delegate shall be elected or appointed for a term of one year. Each organization represented in the House of Delegates shall also name an equal number of alternate delegates who shall serve in the absence of a delegate.
- Approve the previous House Session minutes
- Approve presented Executive Board reports
- Approve slate of candidates running for open MPA Executive Board positions
- Adopt Bylaw changes
- Provide direction to the Executive Board
- Develop and act upon policies and procedures of the Association
- Introduce and act upon resolutions of the Association
- Participate in House of Delegates activities for an operational year
- Provide delegate report to the component organization members or affiliated chapter members
There are five House rules: operational procedures; component organization system for local associations; nomination and election of House officers; approval of the Nominations Committee report; and process for adoption of, revision to and suspension of the House rules. Click here to access a copy of the House rules.
- Delegate(s) must be recognized by the Speaker of the House before engaging in discussion.
- Comments from other delegates must be applicable to the subject at hand.
- Discussion is closed on the previous question when:
- no one has any additional comments,
- a motion is made to close discussion,
- established time limit has arrived, or
- a delegate calls for question.
- Discussion (debate) is not in order until the motion has been made and seconded and (usually) restated by the Speaker.
Hints for Delegates
- Address remarks to the Speaker
- Be brief and to the point
- Be sure to limit your remarks to the pending discussion.
Methods of Voting*
- Voice vote—this is the most usual method (Yea = Yes or Support; Nay = No or Oppose)
- Show of hands—using color-coded signs (Green = Yes or Support; Red = No or Oppose; Yellow = Abstention)
- Standing
- Ballot
*If a delegate desires to dispute the results of a vote, he or she may call out “Division” and the Speaker will typically call for a recount using another voting method.
Determining Voting Results
- Simple Majority – one-half plus one
- Two-Thirds Majority
- Unanimous
General Rules about Voting
- Members are not required to vote.
- Votes may be registered by members as either “yes,” “no” or “abstaining.”
- Results of votes are determined by the number of people actually voting, not by total membership or the number of people present, unless specifically stated otherwise.
- A vote is not officially completed until the Speaker announces the decision.
- Most established agenda action items require a simple majority vote.
- The following commonly used motions require two-thirds majority vote for passage:
- Suspend the rules
- Make a special order