Parliamentary Procedure

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Priority Motions

You Want To: You Say: Interrupt? Second? Debate? Amend? Vote
Close the Meeting I move to adjourn No Yes No No Majority
Take a break I move to recess for... No Yes No Yes Majority
Register a Complaint I raise to a question of personal complaint Yes No No No None
Close Debate I move the previous question No Yes No No 2/3
Limit or Extend Debate I move that debate be limited or extended to... No Yes No Yes 2/3
Postpone to a Certain Time I move to postpone the motion to... No Yes Yes Yes Majority
Modify Wording of Motion I move to amend the motion by... No Yes Yes Yes Majority
Bring Business Before Assembly (a Main Motion) I move that(or to)... No Yes Yes Yes Majority

Incedental Motions

You Want To: You Say: Interrupt? Second? Debate? Amend? Vote
Enfore Rules Point of Order Yes No No No None
Appeal a Ruling I appeal the decision of the chair Yes Yes Varies No None
Suspend the Rules I move to suspend the rules for the purpose of... No Yes No No 2/3
Split the Motion into two or More Parts I move to divide the motion No Yes No Yes Majority
Demand a Counted Vote Division Yes No No No None
Question Parliamentary Procedure Parliamentary inquiry Yes No No No None
Request Information Point of information Yes No No No Majority

Motions Classified According to Purpose

Bring Before the Body

  • Move an action or resolution for Consideration

Modify an Action

  • Amend: add and/or delete words in the main motion.

  • An amendment may be amended once.

Suppress Debate or Hasten Action

  • Previous question (Call the Question).

  • A motion to close debate immediately. Requires 2/3 vote.

  • Limit Debate

  • Move to limit to a specific time or number of speakers. Requires 2/3 vote.

  • Suspend Rules for Purpose of ___

  • Change established agenda or rules. Requires 2/3 vote.

Delay Action

  • Postpone to a definite time.

  • Refer to committee.Refer for study and report to the body at a later time.

Prevent Action

  • Postpone indefinitely. Kills the motion.

  • Object to consideration. Requires 2/3 vote.

  • Withdraw the motion.

Consider More Carefully

  • Extend Debate

  • Divide question.Divides motion into distinct parts, each voted on separately.

  • Demand a counted vote.Used when the results of a voice vote are in doubt.

Change a decision(Bring a Question again before the assembly)

  • Reconsider.Maker of motion must have voted on the prevailing side. Requires 2/3 vote.

  • Rescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted.

  • Maker of motion must have voted on the prevailing side. Requires 2/3 vote.

Maintain rules and order

  • Question of privilege. May not be used to continue debate.

  • Point of order. May not be used to continue debate.

  • Appeal from decision of Chair. Question a ruling of the Chair.

Parliamentary inquiry

  • Question parliamentary procedure on an issue.

  • Request for information.

Close a Meeting

  • Adjourn. Ends all business for this meeting.

  • Recess. Meeting will continue its business at a later time.

Note: This is a brief presentation of the most commonly used actions in a meeting and is not intended to be definitive. Refer to Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th ed. or www.robertsrules.com.