Parliamentary Procedure Masterse

What is the sentence starter for Adjourn?

I move that we adjourn.

Is Adjourn debatable?

No

Is Adjourn amendable?

No

Is a second required for Adjourn?

Yes

What vote is needed for Adjourn?

Majority

Can Adjourn interrupt the speaker?

No

What is the sentence starter for Recess?

I move that we recess until [specific time].

Is Recess debatable?

No

Is Recess amendable?

Yes

Is a second required for Recess?

Yes

What vote is needed for Recess?

Majority

Can Recess interrupt the speaker?

No

What is the sentence starter for Point of Privilege (personal privilege)?

Point of privilege! / Point of personal privilege.

Is Point of Privilege debatable?

No

Is Point of Privilege amendable?

No

Is a second required for Point of Privilege?

No

Who decides on a Point of Privilege?

The chair

Can Point of Privilege interrupt the speaker?

Yes

What is the sentence starter for Lay on the Table (Table it)?

I move that we table it.

Is Lay on the Table debatable?

No

Is Lay on the Table amendable?

No

Is a second required for Lay on the Table?

Yes

What vote is needed for Lay on the Table?

Majority

Can Lay on the Table interrupt the speaker?

No

What is the sentence starter for Previous Question (End debate)?

I move the previous question.

Is Previous Question debatable?

No

Is Previous Question amendable?

No

Is a second required for Previous Question?

Yes

What vote is needed for Previous Question?

2/3

Can Previous Question interrupt the speaker?

No

What is the sentence starter for Postpone Definitely?

I move we postpone this matter until [specific time].

Is Postpone Definitely debatable?

Yes

Is Postpone Definitely amendable?

Yes

Is a second required for Postpone Definitely?

Yes

What vote is needed for Postpone Definitely?

Majority

Can Postpone Definitely interrupt the speaker?

No

What is the sentence starter for Amend (change wording)?

I move that this motion be amended by [adding/striking out words].

Is Amend debatable?

Yes

Is Amend amendable?

Yes

Is a second required for Amend?

Yes

What vote is needed for Amend?

Majority

Can Amend interrupt the speaker?

No

What is the sentence starter for a Main Motion?

I move that [state proposal].

Is a Main Motion debatable?

Yes

Is a Main Motion amendable?

Yes

Is a second required for a Main Motion?

Yes

What vote is needed for a Main Motion?

Majority

Can a Main Motion interrupt the speaker?

No

What is the sentence starter for Point of Order?

Point of order! / I rise to a point of order.

Is Point of Order debatable?

No

Is Point of Order amendable?

No

Is a second required for Point of Order?

No

Who decides on a Point of Order?

The chair

Can Point of Order interrupt the speaker?

Yes

What is the sentence starter for Point of Information?

Point of information! / I rise to a point of information.

Is Point of Information debatable?

No

Is Point of Information amendable?

No

Is a second required for Point of Information?

No

Can Point of Information interrupt the speaker?

Yes

What vote is needed for Point of Information?

None

What is the sentence starter for Division of the House?

I call for a division of the house!

Is Division of the House debatable?

No

Is Division of the House amendable?

No

Is a second required for Division of the House?

No

Can Division of the House interrupt the speaker?

Yes

What vote is needed for Division of the House?

None unless someone objects

What is the sentence starter for Object to Consideration?

I object to consideration of this question.

Is Object to Consideration debatable?

No

Is Object to Consideration amendable?

No

Is a second required for Object to Consideration?

No

What vote is needed for Object to Consideration?

2/3

Can Object to Consideration interrupt the speaker?

Yes

What is the sentence starter for Take from the Table?

I move we take from the table [state motion].

Is Take from the Table debatable?

No

Is a second required for Take from the Table?

Yes

What vote is needed for Take from the Table?

Majority

Can Take from the Table interrupt the speaker?

No

What is the sentence starter for Reconsider?

I move we now (or later) reconsider our action relative to [motion].

Is Reconsider debatable?

Only if the original motion was debatable

Is Reconsider amendable?

No

Is a second required for Reconsider?

Yes

What vote is needed for Reconsider?

Majority

Can Reconsider interrupt the speaker?

No

What is the sentence starter for Suspend the Rules?

I move we suspend the rules and consider [item].

Is Suspend the Rules debatable?

No

Is Suspend the Rules amendable?

No

Is a second required for Suspend the Rules?

Yes

What vote is needed for Suspend the Rules? 

2/3

Can Suspend the Rules interrupt the speaker?

No

What is the sentence starter for Appeal the Decision of the Chair?

I appeal from the decision of the chair.

Is an Appeal debatable?

Yes

Is an Appeal amendable?

No

Is a second required for an Appeal?

Yes

What vote is needed for an Appeal?

Majority

Can an Appeal interrupt the speaker?

No

What is the sentence starter for Refer to a Committee?

I move that the question be referred to a committee made up of [members].

Is Refer to a Committee debatable?

Yes

Is Refer to a Committee amendable?

Yes

Is a second required for Refer to a Committee?

Yes

What vote is needed for Refer to a Committee?

Majority