Study Guide: Key Parliamentary Motions and Their Definitions

PSMIM

acronym for the classes of motions

FARPO

acronym for the privileged motions

LPLPRAP

acronym for the subsidiary motions

ADDOPPSW

acronym for the incidental motions

RRT

acronym for motions that bring a question again before the assembly

Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn

To change the end time of the meeting

Adjourn

To end the meeting

Recess

To take a break

Raise a Question of Privilege

To bring an urgent request relating to the rights of either the assembly or an individual for consideration

Call for the Orders of the Day

To consider a motion previously set aside for a certain time

Lay on the Table

Set main motion aside temporarily

Previous Question

To close debate

Limit or Extend Limits of Debate

This motion can reduce or increase the number and length of speeches permitted or limit the length of debate on a specific question.

Postpone Definitely

Used to delay action on a motion to a specific time

Commit or Refer

To refer a motion to a committee for research or voting

Amend

To change in a formal way by inserting, striking, or striking AND inserting

Postpone Indefinitely

To kill a motion

Main Motion

Introduces new business to the assembly

Appeal

to ask that a decision be reviewed by the assembly

Division of the Assembly

To recount the votes

Division of the Question

To divide a pending motion into two or more motions

Objection to the Consideration of the Question

to avoid the consideration of a main motion

Parliamentary Inquiry

To permit a member to gain parliamentary information

Point of Order

To enforce the rules by calling attention to a violation of the rules or a mistake in procedure.

Request for Information

to obtain the chair's guidance to take appropriate action

Suspend the Rules

Allows a violation of the assembly's own rules (except Constitution); the object of the suspension must be specified

Withdraw a Motion

Remove a motion from being before the assembly.

Reconsider

to think about again, particularly when being asked to change a decision

Rescind

To repeal or cancel a prior decision or action

Take from the Table

To again bring a question before the chapter for further consideration that was previously laid on the table