Parliamentary Motions Guide

Based on Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (11th Edition) The motions below are listed in order of precedence. Any motion can be introduced if it is higher on the chart than the pending motion.

YOU WANT TO:

21 20 19 18 17 Close meeting Take break Register complaint Make follow agenda Lay aside temporarily Close debate Limit or extend debate Postpone to a certain time Refer to committee Modify wording of motion Kill main motion Bring business before assembly (a main motion)

YOU SAY:
I move to adjourn I move to recess for I rise to a question of privilege I call for the orders of the day I move to lay the question on the table I move the previous question I move that debate be limited to ... I move to postpone the motion to ... I move to refer the motion to I move to amend the motion by ... I move that the motion be postponed indefinitely I move that [or "to"] ...

INTERRUPT?
No No Yes Yes No No No No No No No

2ND?
Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

DEBATE?
No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

AMEND?
No Yes No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No

VOTE?
Majority Majority None None Majority 2/3 2/3 Majority Majority Majority Majority

16 15 14 13 12

11 10

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Majority

Jim Slaughter, Certified Professional Parliamentarian-Teacher & Professional Registered Parliamentarian 336-378-1899(W) 336-378-1850(F) P.O. Box 41027, Greensboro 27404 web site: www.jimslaughter.com

Side 1

Parliamentary Motions Guide

Based on Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (11th Edition) Incidental Motions - No order of precedence. Arise incidentally and decided immediately.

YOU WANT TO:

23 24 Enforce rules Submit matter to assembly Suspend rules Avoid main motion altogether Divide motion Demand rising vote Parliamentary law question Request information

YOU SAY:
Point of order I appeal from the decision of the chair I move to suspend the rules which I object to the consideration of the question I move to divide the question I call for a division Parliamentary inquiry Request for information

INTERRUPT?
Yes Yes No Yes

2ND?
No Yes Yes No

DEBATE? AMEND?
No Varies No No No No No No

VOTE?
None Majority 2/3 2/3

25 26

27 29 33

No Yes Yes (if urgent) Yes (if urgent)

Yes No No No

No No No No

Yes No No No

Majority None None None

33

Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly - no order of precedence. Introduce only when nothing else pending. 34 Take matter from table Cancel or change previous action Reconsider motion I move to take from the table I move to rescind/ amend something previously adopted... I move to reconsider the vote ...

No No

Yes Yes

No Yes

No Yes

Majority 2/3 or maj. w/ notice Majority

35

37

No

Yes

Varies

No

Jim Slaughter, Certified Professional Parliamentarian-Teacher & Professional Registered Parliamentarian 336-378-1899(W) 336-378-1850(F) P.O. Box 41027, Greensboro 27404 web site: www.jimslaughter.com

9/2011

Side 2