Parliamentary procedure

Robert’s Rules of order

Robert’s Rules

has been used

for years as a

way to ensure

that meetings

are run

smoothly.

Why use parliamentary pro?

• The power and authority of the club is vested in its members

• All members have equal rights, obligations and privileges

• The majority rules• The minority must be protected• Procedural rules must be

understood

WHY?

Handling a motion

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Use the

diagram to the

left to help you

better

understand

handling

motions.

Order of business

1. The chair asks, “Is there any further business?”

2. Member 1, rising from his seat, says “Mr. Chairman.”

3. “Member 1,” states the chairman.4. Member 1 says, “I move that the

organization…”5. Another member, remaining

seated, says, “I second the motion.”

6. The chairman states the motion a first time.

7. The chair asks, “Is there any discussion? Are you ready for the question?”

8. Member 1 provides facts to support the motion.

9. A member secures the floor and speaks in favor of the motion.

10. A member secures the floor and speaks against the motion.

11. The chair asks, “Are you ready for the question? Are you ready to vote now?”

12. The chairman states the motion a second time.

13. The chair says, “Those in favor of the motion say, ‘Aye.’”

14. The chair says, “Those opposed say, ‘No.’”

15. The chair rules that the ayes have it and the motion is adopted.

16. The secretary is instructed to write the necessary letter.

Order of business

No main motion is in order that:

• Conflicts with the rules of the organization.

• Presents substantially the same question as a motion previously defeated in the same session.

• Would conflict with a motion that has been temporarily but not finally disposed of and which remains within the control of the assembly.

• Proposes action outside the scope of the organization’s object as defined in the bylaws.

Main motions that are NOT in order

8 characteristics of motions1. What is its order of precedence?2. To what motions is it applicable?3. May it interrupt the speaker?4. Does it require a second?5. Is it debatable?6. Is it amendable?7. What vote is required

for passage?8. Can it be reconsidered?

Order of precedence

Privileged motions

• Issues requiring immediate attention but not related to the main motion.Ranking motions

from highest to lowest*Need

2nd

Can interrupt speaker

Can be amended

Vote required

Privileged motions

Fix time to adjourn Yes No Yes Majority

Adjourn Yes No No Majority

Recess Yes No Yes Majority

Raise a question of privilege No Yes No Chair rules

Call for the orders of the day No Yes No Chair rules

Subsidiary motions

Ranking motionsfrom highest to lowest*

Need 2nd Can interrupt speaker

Can be amended

Vote required

Subsidiary motions (affect main motions)

Lay on the table Yes No No Majority

The previous question Yes No No 2/3

Limit or extend debate Yes No Yes 2/3

Postpone to a definite time Yes No Yes Majority

Refer to committee Yes No Yes Majority

Amend the amendment Yes No Yes Majority

Amendment Yes No Yes Majority

Postpone indefinitely Yes No No Majority

•Issues that affect either the nature or discussion of the main motion.

The right language1. Let a smaller group research the question.

Refer to committee2. I want to ask a question of the current speaker.

Point of information3. We need to set this business aside so that we can hear

from the President right now.Lay on the table

4. What vote is needed to pass this motion?Parliamentary inquiry

5. We need more time to talk about this.Extend time to

debate6. I want to talk informally with others to see where they

are on this issue before the vote.Move to recess

7. The chair called on the wrong member.Raise a point of order

8. I want to change the motion.Move to amend

9. We decided that last motion in too much of a hurry.Reconsider the

question2. Let’s wait until the expert arrives next week.

Postpone to a certain time

Main motions• The last motion voted upon. The

“business” of your club meeting.Ranking motions

from highest to lowest*Need 2nd?

Can interrupt speaker

Can be amended

Vote required

Main or principal motionYes No Yes Majority

Motions occurring after action to main or principal motion

Take from the table Yes No No Majority

Rescind or amend Yes No Yes **

Discharge committee Yes No Yes Majority

Reconsider Yes No No ¥

Ratify Yes No Yes Majority

** R

eq

uir

es

2/3

vote

wit

hou

t n

oti

ce a

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m

ajo

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vote

wit

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¥ M

ay o

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t to

floor

by m

em

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of

the

pre

vaili

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sid

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or

main

moti

on

.

The right language11. I doubt the ruling of the chair.

Appeal the decision of the chair12. Those of us in the back of the room cannot hear

the speaker. Raise a question of privilege

13. Let’s stop talking and vote.Move the previous question

14. I don’t agree with the chair’s announcement of the vote.

Division of the assembly15. Don’t we have to make legal the action the

executive board took last summer?Ratify

16. I want to consider this item out of the proper order.

Suspend the rules 17. We don’t have enough members to legally meet,

let’s decide when the meeting will continue.Fix a time to which to adjourn

18. Let’s decide the two purchases in this motion separately.

Division of the question19. Let’s generate a list of amounts from which to

choose the best one for this motion.Creating a blank

• Aren’t we supposed to hold elections at this time?Call for the orders of the day

Majority rules

• Lay on the table (Subsidiary)

• Postpone to a definite time (Subsidiary)

• Refer to committee (Subsidiary)

• Amend the amendment (Subsidiary)

• Amendment (Subsidiary)• Postpone indefinitely

(Subsidiary)• Main motion (Main)

All require a second and a majority vote.

“Live to Serve, Love to Serve.”

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