Parliamentary Procedure Motions Script

What to say for the basic main motions in the PLaw FFA Competition.

Main Motions

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move that ________.”

Postpone Indefinitely

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move to postpone this motion indefinitely.”

Amendments

"(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move to amend the motion on the floor by [insert, strike out, or strike and insert] [the specific words or phrases you want to change]. So the motion would read, I move that [insert new amendment here].”

Refer to Committee

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move we refer this motion to a committee of three appointed by the chair.”

Postpone Definitely

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move to postpone this motion until the next regularly scheduled meeting where it will be made a special order.”

Limit/Extend Debate

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move that we limit debate on this motion to [insert number of discussions] for the motion and [insert same number of discussions] against the motion.”

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move to limit debate to a maximum of [insert number of minutes].”

Previous Question

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move the previous question.”

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I call for the previous question.”

Lay on the Table

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move to lay this motion on the table.”

Take from the Table

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move to take the motion that reads [insert motion here] from the table.”

Reconsider

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move to reconsider the motion to [insert motion here].”

Rescind

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move that we consider the vote to [insert motion here].”

Suspend the Rules

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, Because of [insert reason here], I move to suspend the rules and [insert rule-breaking action here].”

Modify or Withdraw

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I would like to withdraw my motion.”

Divide a Motion

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move to divide this motion into two. The first stating [insert first motion here] and the second that [insert other motion here].”

Object to the Consideration

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I object to the consideration of this question.”

Division

Can be made by saying “division” loud enough for the entire group to hear.

OR

“I call for a divison of the house.”

Point of Order

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I rise to a point of order.”

Appeal

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I appeal the decision of the chair.”

Orders of the Day

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I call for the orders of the day.”

Question of Privilege

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I rise to a question of privilege.'“

Chairman says, “State your question.”

Then the member says whatever they have to and the chairman decides on whether it will be allowed or not.

Recess

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move to take a [insert number of minutes here] recess.”

Adjourn

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move to adjourn.”

Fix Time to Reassemble

“(Mr/Madam) Chairman, I move to adjourn the meeting until [insert time, date, and place here].”