Parliamentary Procedures

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES

Parliamentary Procedure

in

Handling a Motion

1. A member makes a motion. "I move that ...."

2. Another member seconds the motion.

3. The chair states the question on the motion. Neither the making nor seconding of the motion places it before the assembly, only the chair can do that, which is the third step - by stating the question. When the chair has stated the question, the motion is pending.

4. Members debate the question.

5. Chair takes the vote.

6. Chair announces result of the vote.

The above was written by Ruth Gurley, CCLS, Parliamentarian, and bears repeating. As this year's Parliamentarian, I will be re-printing articles written by Ruth, so she will continue to educate us in the proper ways to conduct a meeting, and to conduct ourselves in those meetings, according to Robert's Rules. Note "member" is you and the "chair" is the person presiding over the portion of the meeting when the motion is being made, usually the president. Once the motion has been stated, seconded, the presiding officer will say "Is there any discussion?" or words to that effect. If there is a question, the "chair" restates the question so all can hear. The members can then "debate" the question. When there are no questions or someone has moved to cut off debate, the "chair" takes the vote by saying words to the effect: All those in favor say "yes" and all those opposed say "no." Then the "chair" announces the result of the vote by saying words to the effect "the motion has passed" or "the motion has failed."

Mary L. King, CCLS, Parliamentarian 2003-2004