| A | B |
|---|
| ABSTAIN | To publicly refrain from voting usually because of a conflict of interest. |
| ACCLAMATION | Enthusiastic approval by a voice vote. |
| AMENDMENT | A change proposed in a motion by altering it. An amendment to a main motion is called a primary or first degree amendment. An amendment to an amendment is called a secondary amendment or a second degree amendment. An amendment to a secondary amendment is not allowed due to possible procedural complications. This subsidiary motion requires a second, is debatable if the motion to which it is applied is debatable, and requires a majority vote to be adopted. A speaker may not be interrupted to propose this motion. |
| COMMIT or Refer. | To refer a motion to a committee. The subsidiary motion must be seconded, is debatable and may be amended by giving the committee instructions. If a special committee is involved, the motion should state the number of committee members, their method of selection or their names. Instructions such as when they are to report and if they have "full power to act" can also be included. The presiding officer should also name the committee chairman, who is usually the first member named. When debating the referral, it is not allowed to discuss the merits of the main motion. A speaker may not be interrupted to propose this motion. The motion to Commit or Refer can be reconsidered if the committee has not begun consideration of the question. |
| DILATORY MOTION | A motion made for the purpose of delaying or obstructing the business of a meeting or confusing the objectives of a meeting. Examples would be for one or more members to call a division when there is no reasonable doubt on the results of the voice vote, and rise to a point of order, or move to adjourn with the intent to obstruct or delay business. |
| DIVISION OF THE ASSEMBLY | The motion that calls for a rising vote. It may be made between the time the negative vote has been cast and until the presiding officer states the question on another motion. A speaker may be interrupted, and it can be made without obtaining the floor by saying "Division!" A second is not required and debate and amendments are not allowed. It also does not require a vote. The chairman may also take a rising, counted vote. If a member wishes a rising, counted vote, a motion must be made, seconded, and adopted by a majority vote. The number of votes on both sides should be recorded in the minutes when a count is ordered or a vote is by ballot. Small groups may obtain a more accurate vote by a show of hands. |
| GENERAL CONSENT | Adoption, with no objection, of a motion without voting on it. A vote must be taken if there is objection. This method is commonly used to approve the minutes; UNANIMOUS CONSENT. |
| GERMANE | Closely related. Examples would be that an amendment must be germane to the main motion and debate must be germane to the pending main motion. |
| LAY ON THE TABLE. | To "lay on the table" or "to table" a motion means to temporarily delay action on it because of more urgent business. This highest ranking subsidiary motion requires a second, is not debatable or amendable, and requires a majority vote to be adopted. It is proper, however, for the maker of the motion to lay on the table to state the reason for tabling it prior to proposing this motion. If this is not done, the chair can ask the maker to state the reason. A speaker may not be interrupted when proposing this motion and it cannot be qualified in any way. An example would be for the assembly to lay pending business on the table to allow a special speaker more time. This motion may not be used as a substitute for the motions to Postpone Indefinitely or to Postpone to a Certain Time. |
| LIMIT OR EXTEND LIMITS OF DEBATE | A motion to control the number or length of speeches. The subsidiary motion requires a second, is not debatable, can be amended, may be reconsidered, and requires a two-thirds vote to be adopted. A speaker may not be interrupted to propose this motion. If this motion is made when no business is pending, it is a main motion and may be debated. However, it still requires a two-thirds vote for adoption. |
| OBJECTION TO CONSIDERATION OF THE QUESTION | A motion to immediately stop consideration of an original main motion. It must be made before there is any debate or any subsidiary motion has been stated by the chair. Also, may interrupt a speaker until debate has begun on the "objectionable" motion or a subsidiary motion has been stated by the chair. This motion does not require a second and is not debatable or amendable. A two-thirds vote is required to adopt it. It cannot be applied to incidental main motions. |
| POINT OF INFORMATION | A request made to the chair to obtain information about the business at hand, not to parliamentary procedure. If the question is directed at the speaker, the time used is deducted from the time allowed to speak on the particular motion. This is why the presiding officer should ask the speaker if he/she wishes to answer the question. Members are not allowed to carry on a debate or discussion with each other. A speaker may be interrupted to propose this motion if the matter requires immediate attention. A second, debate, amendments, or a vote are not allowed. |
| POINT OF ORDER | An incidental motion drawing attention to an infraction of parliamentary rules. This motion should not be raised on minor irregularities if no one's rights are being invaded or no real harm is done. It may be proposed when another member has the floor, does not require a second, is not debatable or amendable, and is ruled upon by the presiding officer. If the presiding officer does not want to make a ruling on a Point of Order, it may be submitted to the assembly and is decided by a majority vote. |
| PREVIOUS QUESTION. | To "move the previous question" is to demand a vote to stop debate so that a vote can be taken on the pending motion. Also used to prevent the making of subsidiary motions except the motion to Lay on the Table. It may be applied to include a consecutive series of motions. The subsidiary motion requires a second, is not debatable or amendable, and requires a two-thirds vote to be adopted. It cannot be reconsidered after a motion it covered has been voted on. A speaker may not be interrupted when proposing this motion. This motion may be applied to a motion that is not debatable but is amendable. If the previous question is adopted in this case, it prevents amendment. |
| RESOLUTION. | A formally phrased main motion; the recommendation for action (main motion) in a committee or board report. |
| SECONDING A MOTION | A "second" indicates that a member, in addition to the one proposing a motion, is interested in having the motion considered. The member who seconds a motion (the "seconder") does not have to vote in favor of the motion. The member states, "I second the motion," "I second it," or "second" without rising or being recognized by the presiding officer. "Thirding" a motion is not proper. A motion is still adopted if it is made, and considered and carried without being seconded. |
| UNANIMOUS CONSENT. | Adoption, with no objection, of a motion without voting on it. A vote must be taken if there is objection. This method is commonly used to approve the minutes; GENERAL CONSENT. |
| VACATING THE CHAIR | Temporarily relinquishing the chair. |
| YIELDING THE FLOOR | The speaker giving up his/her time by sitting in order that another may speak. |
| WITHDRAW A MOTION | A member who proposes a motion can withdraw it only before the motion has been stated by the chair. The chair does not need permission from the member who seconded the motion. Other members can also ask the maker of the motion to withdraw it before it is stated by the chair. After being stated by the chair, the assembly must approve of a withdrawal by general consent or a majority vote after a second. If the person who makes the withdrawal request is the maker of the original motion, the request to withdraw requires a second. A member may interrupt a speaker to propose the motion to withdraw. |
