Parliamentary Procedure

Lesson III

MotionsBring business to the assembly in an orderly mannerTypes of motions: main motions, subsidiary, privileged, motions that bring a question again before the assembly, incidentalMotions are ranked (Privileged-highest, Subsidiary-next highest, Main & Incidental-no rank)Motions begin with the words, “I move that…”

Motions

Motions are short and to the point-no discussion or excessive description is needed.

Only one motion can be considered at a time.

Ranked Motions

Main motion – introduces all businessSubsidiary motion – have to do with another motion (modify the motion, delay action on it, or dispose of it)Privileged motion – have to do with conduction of the meeting itself and have to do with such emergency that they interrupt everything else.

Ranked Motions

Incidental motion – deal with questions of procedure and arise out of other motions or items of business

Main Motions

Requires a second. If not received, the motion dies.Are debatableAre amendableRequire a majority voteMay be reconsideredCannot interrupt the speaker

Subsidiary MotionsLay on the Table

Delay action on another motion because something more important has arisenRequires a secondIs not debatable

Is not amendableCannot be reconsideredCannot interrupt another speaker

Subsidiary MotionsPrevious Question

Requires a secondIs not debatableIs not amendable

Passed by a 2/3 voteCannot interrupt another speakerState “I move the previous question.”

Subsidiary MotionsPostpone Definitely

Defers action on another motion to a specific day, place, and timeRequires a secondIs not debatableIs amendable

2/3 vote required because it restrictsMay be reconsideredCannot interrupt one who has the floor

Subsidiary MotionsCommit or Refer

Gives a motion more detailed attention or permits it to be handled privatelyRequires a secondIs debatableIs amendable

Majority vote requiredMay be reconsideredCannot interrupt one who has the floor

Subsidiary MotionsAmendments

Requires a secondIs debatable if main motion is debatableAmendment of the first degree may be amended by amendment of the second degreeSecond degree amendments cannot be amended

Subsidiary MotionsAmendments

Related to motion pendingMajority vote requiredMay be reconsidered only until the main motion is adopted, otherwise whole main motion may be reconsideredMay not interrupt one who has the floor

Subsidiary MotionsPostpone Indefinitely

Requires a secondIs debatableNot amendableMajority vote requiredCannot be reconsideredCannot interrupt one who has the floor

Privileged MotionsAdjourn

Terminates the meeting“I move that we adjourn.”Requires a secondNot debatableNot amendableMajority vote requiredCannot be reconsidered or interrupt the one who has the floor

Privileged MotionsRecess

Requires a secondNot debatableNot amendableMajority vote requiredCannot be reconsideredCannot interrupt the one who has the floor

Reconsider

Allows a question previously disposed of to come again before the assembly as if it had not been considered. Requires a secondIs debatable only if the original motion to be reconsidered is debatableNot amendableMajority vote requiredCannot be reconsidered or interrupt another speaker with the floor

Rescind

Voids a motion previously passedRequires a secondIs debatable and amendableSimply majority if prior notice given, or if not 2/3 voteOnly a negative vote can be reconsideredCannot interrupt a speaker who has the floor

Incidental MotionsPoint of Information: wants facts about the business at hand (“I rise to a point of information,” and can happen at any time)Parliamentary Inquiry: requests chair’s opinionDivision of Assembly: calls for verification when a member doubts the accuracy of a voice voteWithdraw a Motion: permits a member to remove his or her question from consideration even after the motion has been restated by the ChairPoint of Order: Challenges an error in procedure and requires a ruling by the Chair.