TSA Chapter Team/Parliamentary Procedure

Main Motion

Introduce subjects to the assembly for its consideration. They cannot be made when another motion is before the assembly.

Subsidary Motions

Change or affect how the main motion is handled.(They are voted on before the main motion.) For example: "I move the question before the assemly be amended by striking out..." or "I move that we lay on the table the motion to..."

Privileged Motions

Motions of importance that take precedence over the pending question and all other terms of business; they are undebateable and require immediate action.

Incidental Motions

Questions of procedure that arise out of other motions. They must be considered before the other motion. For example "I move we suspend the rules for the purpose of..."

Raise a Question of Privilege

A priveleged motion used to complain/fix a problem having to do with heat, noise, lighting, etc. Can interrupt, no secnd needed, not debateable or ammendable, no vote is taken, the chair decides on the matter.

Call for the Orders of the Day

A priveleged motion demanding that the group conform to its program and cease talking about other things. No second needed, can interrupt, not debateable or ammendable, must be enforced by the chair.

Lay on the Table

A subsidary motion used to postpone decision on the motion until the next meeting (at the latest); requires recognition, requires second, not debatable or amendable, majority vote

Previous Question

A subsidary motion used when member wants an immediate vote; requires recognition, requires second, not debatable or amendable, 2/3 vote

Limit or Extend Limits of Debate

A Subsidary motion used to 1) reduce the number or lengthe of speeches permitted 2) require that debate be closed at a certain hour or for a specified length of time 3)allow more and longer speeches. Requires recognition, a second, and a 2/3 vote. Not debateable. Ammendable.

Postpone Definitley

A subsidary motion used to delay action on a motion until a certain time.

Postpone Indefinitely

A subsidary motion used to remove an issue from debate permanently; second required, is debatable but not amendable, majority vote

Motions That Bring a Question again Before the Assembly

Reconsider
Rescind
Take from the Table
Discharge a Committee
Amend Something Previously Adopted

Reconsider

A motion used to ask for a new vote on a motion. Can only be made by a member who voted on the prevailing side. (A member may vote on the prevailing side so that they may have the ability to do this.)

Agenda

Program for the meeting

Amendment

An alteration to a main motion by inserting, changing, or striking out wirds and phrases, but not changing the meaning or intent of the main motion.

Appeal (of an assembly)

Questioning by a memeber of a vote count by requestiong that members stand and be counted.

Bylaws

The permanent body of legislative rules by which an organization operates. (similar to - and often combined with- a constitution)

Chair

The residing officer, whether temporary or permanent, of a meeting.

Consent

Agreement between members for the chair to act or rule; common ______ or general ______ means that the majority of the members present are in agreement with the actions.

Debate

Term synonymous with "discussion". Most motions guard the right to do this on/about an issue.

Division of an Assembly

The last appeal that a member has to seek support of a position, in that those present are asked to stand and be counted in support of the chair or member

Division of a Question

The last appeal a member who questions the validity of the chair's countiong of a vote has; those present are asked to stand and be counted in their vote.

Floor

The recognition and privilege of addressin the chair or the assembly, yielding this means temporarily giving up the privilege of speaking; obtaining this means receiving recognition from the chair with the privilege of making a motion or nomination.

Inquiry

A question asked by a member directed toward the chair in order to obtain direction in correct parliamentary procedure.

Parliamentary Law

An unwritten law of democratic procedure originating from the rules of the early English Parliament.

Pending

Waiting to be decided or settled; a motion in this state is in some stage between proposal and final vote for approval or disapproval.

Precedence

The ranking of motions; when motions are pending, those of the highest ranking should be considered first, those of least ranking should be considered last.

Quorum

The minimum number of members who have to be present at a meeting in order for business to be conducted legally.

Rescind

Term used to indicate that a previously accepted motion or action is to be made void, unless that action has already been taken.

Secondary Motion

Any motion that can be made while a main motion is pending, such as a subsidary motion or a motion of privilege.

Suspend the Rules

A term used to indicate a temporary disregard of the rules of the organization; an incidental motion designed to facilitate the action on a motion that is pending.

Two-Thirds Vote

A term used to indicate the number of members who must vote favorably for an action or a motion before it becomes acceptable. The chair must inform members of this requirement prior to calling for the vote.

Unfinished Business

An item on the regular agenda of a business meeting whereby any table motion from the previous session or a motion that was postponed to this specific time must be taken up and resolved.

Withdraw a Motion

Remove a motion from being before the assembly.