Intro to Parliamentary Procedure - Revised

New and improved, with more clear and concise terms and descriptions.

Parliamentary Procedure

A set of rules for conducting meetings efficiently and fairly.

Robert's Rules of Order

The most commonly used guide for parliamentary procedure.

Quorum

The minimum number of members needed to conduct business.

Main Motion

A proposal for action by the assembly.

Amendment

A motion to change the wording of another motion.

Point of Order

A call to correct a procedural mistake.

Adjourn

A motion to end the meeting.

Recess

A short break in the meeting.

Lay on the Table

A motion to temporarily postpone a matter.

Take from the Table

A motion to resume consideration of a tabled motion.

Previous Question

A motion to end debate and vote immediately.

Postpone Indefinitely

A motion to reject a main motion without direct voting.

Postpone Definitely (or to a Certain Time)

A motion to delay discussion until a specified time.

Refer to a Committee

A motion to send a matter to a smaller group for further review.

Reconsider

A motion to revisit a previous decision.

Rescind

A motion to cancel a previously adopted motion.

Division of the Assembly

A request for a more accurate voting method.

Second

A statement of support for a motion.

Gavel

A hammer used by the presiding officer to maintain order.

Chairperson (or Presiding Officer)

The individual leading the meeting.

Majority Vote

More than half of the votes cast.

Two-Thirds Vote

A vote requiring at least two-thirds approval.

Unanimous Consent

Agreement without a formal vote.

Suspend the Rules

A motion to temporarily waive specific rules.

Call for the Orders of the Day

A request to return to the scheduled agenda.

Point of Information

A request for clarification on a topic.

Point of Personal Privilege

A request regarding a member's comfort or rights.

Standing Committee

A permanent committee dealing with ongoing matters.

Special Committee

A temporary committee created for a specific task.

Minutes

The official written record of a meeting.

Agenda

The list of items to be discussed at a meeting.

Debate

Discussion on a motion before a vote.

Voting by Ballot

A private method of voting.

Roll Call Vote

A vote where each member's name is called aloud.

Voice Vote

A voting method where members respond verbally.

Standing Vote

A voting method requiring members to stand.

Chair's Decision

A ruling made by the presiding officer.

Appeal the Decision of the Chair

A motion to challenge the chair's ruling.

Order of Business

The sequence of items discussed in a meeting.

Privileged Motions

Motions dealing with urgent matters, such as adjournment.

Incidental Motions

Motions related to procedural rules.

Subsidiary Motions

Motions affecting how a main motion is handled.

Renewal Motions

Motions that bring up issues already decided.

Main Motion Requirements

Must be seconded, is debatable and amendable.

Chair's Duty

To remain impartial and enforce rules fairly.

Simple Majority

More than 50% of the votes cast.

Plurality Vote

The option with the most votes wins, even if it's less than a majority.

Proxy Vote

A vote cast by one person on behalf of another.

Standing Rules

Rules governing an organization's operations.

Bylaws

The rules governing an organization's structure and procedures.

Order of Precedence

The ranking of motions based on importance.

Committee of the Whole

A large group acting as a single committee.

Informal Consideration

Discussion without strict rules of debate.

Unfinished Business

Items from previous meetings not yet resolved.

New Business

Items introduced for discussion for the first time.

Chair's Authority

The power to maintain order and enforce rules.

Motion to Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn

A motion to set the time for the next meeting.

Motion to Adjourn

A motion to end the meeting immediately.

Motion to Recess

A motion for a short break.

Motion to Raise a Question of Privilege

A request regarding rights or privileges of members.

Incidental Motions Examples

Point of Order, Division of the Assembly, Appeal, Suspend the Rules.

Subsidiary Motions Examples

Lay on the Table, Postpone, Refer to a Committee, Amend.

Privileged Motions Examples

Adjourn, Recess, Raise a Question of Privilege.

Privileged Motions

Examples - Adjourn, Recess, Raise a Question of Privilege.

Renewal Motions

Examples - Reconsider, Rescind, Take from the Table.

Recess Time Limit

Determined by the motion itself.

Can the Chair Vote?

Only to break a tie or when voting by ballot.

Debatable Motions

Main Motion, Amendment, Postpone, Refer to a Committee.

Non-Debatable Motions

Adjourn, Lay on the Table, Previous Question.

Withdraw a Motion

A request to remove a motion before a vote.

Objection to Consideration of a Question

A motion to prevent discussion on a topic.

Rules of Debate

Each member can speak twice per motion.

Voting Rights of Members

Must be present unless proxy voting is allowed.

Call the Meeting to Order

Done by the presiding officer using a gavel.

Seconding a Motion

Shows that another member supports discussion on the motion.

Can the Chair Make Motions?

No, unless stepping down temporarily.

Effect of Failing a Motion

The motion is not adopted.

Effect of Passing a Motion

The motion becomes an official decision.

Special Orders

Items given priority over other business.

Unanimous (General) Consent

Used to expedite routine matters without formal voting.

Rules Governing Amendments

Must be germane to the main motion.

Can a Motion Have Multiple Amendments?

Yes, but only one primary and one secondary amendment at a time.

Order of Business in a Meeting

Call to order, minutes, reports, unfinished business, new business, adjournment.

Proper Way to Address the Chair

"Mr. (or Madam) Chair."

Motion to Adjourn Requires

A second, is not debatable, and requires a majority vote.

Motion to Postpone Requires

A second, is debatable, and requires a majority vote.

Motion to Amend Requires

A second, is debatable, and requires a majority vote.

Motion to Refer Requires

A second, is debatable, and requires a majority vote.

Can You Debate a Point of Order?

No, the chair rules immediately.

Rules for Speaking in Debate

Must be recognized by the chair and remain on topic.

Germane Amendment

An amendment must relate to the subject matter of the motion.

Chair's Tie-Breaking Vote

Cast only when the vote is tied.

Can a Tabled Motion Be Amended?

No, it must be taken from the table first.

Standing Rules vs. Bylaws

Standing rules are easier to change than bylaws.

Motion to Limit Debate

Requires a two-thirds vote.

Motion to Reopen Nominations

Requires a majority vote.

Majority Vote Exceptions

Some motions require a two-thirds vote.

Recording Abstentions

Not counted in the vote total.

Order of the Day

The schedule of business for a meeting.

Deliberative Assembly

A group meeting to discuss and vote on decisions.