Section 11

Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance

Priority Motions

The motions below are listed in order of precedence. A motion can be introduced if it is higher on the chart than the pending motion.

You Want To:

You Say:

Interrupt?

Second?

Debate?

Amend?

Vote

Close the meeting

I move to adjourn

No

Yes

No

No

Majority

Take a break

I move to recess for…

No

Yes

No

Yes

Majority

Register a complaint

I rise to a question of personal privilege.

Yes

No

No

No

None

Close debate

I move the previous question.

No

Yes

No

No

2/3rds

Limit or extend debate

I move that debate be limited (or extended) to…

No

Yes

No

Yes

2/3rds

Postpone to a certain time

I move to postpone the motion to…

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Majority

Modify wording of motion

I move to amend the motion by…

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Majority

Bring business before assembly (a main motion)

I move that (or to)…

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Majority

Incidental Motions

No order of precedence. Arise incidentally and are decided immediately.

You Want To:

You Say:

Interrupt?

Second?

Debate?

Amend?

Vote

Enforce rules

Point of order

Yes

No

No

No

None

Appeal a ruling

I appeal the decision of the chair.

Yes

Yes

Varies

No

Majority

Suspend the rules

I move to suspend the rules for the purpose of…

No

Yes

No

No

2/3rds

Split a motion into two or more parts

I move to divide the question.

No

Yes

No

Yes

Majority

Demand a counted vote

Division

Yes

No

No

No

None

Question parliamentary procedure

Parliamentary inquiry

Yes

No

Yes

No

None

Request information

Point of information

Yes

No

Yes

No

None

Motions Classified According to Purpose

Bring before the body

Move an action or resolution for consideration.

Modify a motion

Amend: add and/or delete words in the main motion.
An amendment may be amended once.

Suppress debate or hasten action

Previous question (Call the Question).
A motion to close debate immediately. Requires 2/3 vote.

Limit debate.
Move to limit to a specific time or number of speakers. Requires 2/3 vote.

Suspend rules for the purpose of ____
Change established agenda or rules. Requires 2/3 vote.

Delay action

Postpone to a definite time.

Refer to committee.
Refer for study and report to the body at a later time.

Prevent action

Postpone indefinitely.
Kills the motion.

Object to consideration.
Requires 2/3 vote.

Withdraw a motion.

Consider more carefully

Extend debate.

Divide question.
Divides motion into distinct parts, each voted on separately.

Demand a counted vote.
Used when the results of a voice vote are in doubt.

Change a decision

(Bring a Question again
before the assembly)

Reconsider.
Maker of motion must have voted on the prevailing side. Requires 2/3 vote.

Rescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted.
Maker of motion must have voted on the prevailing side. Requires 2/3 vote.

Maintain rules and order

Question of privilege.
May not be used to continue debate.

Point of order.
May not be used to continue debate.

Appeal from decision of Chair.
Question a ruling of the Chair.

Parliamentary inquiry

Question parliamentary procedure on an issue.

Request for information.

Close a meeting

Adjourn.
Ends all business for this meeting.

Recess.
Meeting will continue its business at a later time.

Note: This is a brief presentation of the most commonly used actions in a meeting and is not intended to be definitive.

Refer to Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th ed. or www.robertsrules.com.

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