Robert's Rules of Order reference version

Order

Motions

Main Motions

Privileged Motions

Motion to Reconsider

Resolution

Incidental Motions

Orders of the Day

Lay on the Table

Adjourn

Complete Version

The Chair

It is the role of the Chair to maintain order at all times during a meeting. All inquiries are to be directed to the Chair and all members must be recognized by the Chair before speaking except in cases of Point of Order (see section 3.4.1). At no time is it in order for one member of the assembly to directly address another member without going through the chair.

1. The chair votes only in the case of a tie

Order

The order of meetings is mostly determined by the agenda. All meetings start with a call to order and end with the passing of a motion to adjourn.

1.Reading and Approval of Minutes

2.Reports of Officers, Boards, and Standing Committees.

3.Reports of Special Committees

4.Unfinished (Old) Business and General Orders

5.New Business

Motions

A formal proposal by a member, in a meeting, that the assembly take certain action. Before a subject can be considered, it must be placed before the assembly in the form of a motion. From the basic type of motions known as the Main Motion ... many other specific motions have been derived and have become defined under parliamentary law.

Motions have order of precedence, stemming from the Main Motion as follows:

Main Motion Must be seconded Takes precedence of nothing -- that is, it cannot be moved when any other question is pending.
Can be applied to no other motion
Is out of order when another has the floor
Is debatable
Is amendable
Definitions - A main motion is a motion whose introduction bring business before the assembly; such a motion can be made only when no other motion is pending. Wording: (proposal) - If a main motion is adopted, it becomes the officially recorded statement of an action taken by the assembly. A motion should therefore be worded in a concise, unambiguous, and complete form appropriate to such a purpose. A motion should not be offered if its only effect is to propose that the assembly refrain from doing something, since the same result can be accomplished by adoption no motion at all (eg, it is incorrect to move that ``no response be made''). Similarly, motions to reaffirm a position previously taken by adoption of a motion or resolution are not in order. Such a motion serves no useful purpose because the original motion is still in effect. It is preferable to avoid a motion containing a negative statement even in cases where it would have a meaning, since members may become confused as to the effect of voting for or against such a motion. Rather than moving, for example, that the association go on record as not in favor of the proposed public bond issue,'' it should be moved that the association oppose or declare its opposition to'' the bond issue. Treatment of Main Motions
A subject must be brought up in the form of a motion before it can be discussed in a meeting. Typically a motion is made by a member, read by the chair, discussed, then voted on. This process however can be affected by subsidiary motions and the like.
After a main motion has been made and before the question has been stated by the chair, any member can quickly rise and, with little or no explanatatory comment, informally suggest one or more modifications in the motion, which at this point the maker can accept or reject as he wishes. Application of this method should generally be limited to minor changes about which there is unlikely to be a difference of opinion. After the question has been stated by the chair--although the assembly, and not the maker of the motion, then has control over its wording--the maker can request unanimous consent to modify the motion. If any member then objects, however, the desired modification must be introduced in the form of a motion to Amend, If proper recasting of a main motion will require time or study, the motion can be referred to a committee, via a subsidiary motion to Commit.

Privileged motions
No second required
Privileged motions do not relate to the pending business, but have to do with special matters of immediate and overriding importance which, without debate, should be allowed to interrupt the consideration of anything else. Orders of the Day
It is evident that the agenda, program, or order of business is being varied from or that the time for the consideration of a postponed motion has arrived or past, and no question is pending. In such a case where no special order is involved, if a member starts to make a motion departing from the correct order of business, or if the chair announces a wrong item, the call must be made before any motion is stated by the chair; otherwise, it cannot be made until after the motion has been disposed of.
To Adjourn
means to close the meeting. A motion to adjourn may be a privileged or a main motion. The motion to adjourn that commonly occurs in meetings is the privileged motion. The adoption of any motion to adjourn closes the meeting immediately unless the motion specifies a later time for adjourning (but if it does specify such a time it is not a privileged motion). A motion to adjourn is always a privileged motion

Incidental motions Point of Order
A Point of Order takes precedence over any pending question out of which it may arise. It yields to all privileged motions and it yields to a motion to lay the main question on the table, in cases where these motions are in order at the time. It can only be used to question the legality of proceedings and requires immediate ruling by the chair (with the option to consult parliamentarians). It is the right of every member who noticed a breach of the rules to insist on their enforcement. If the chair notices a breach, he corrects the matter immediately; but if he fails to do so -- through oversight or otherwise -- any member can make the appropriate Point of Order. If a member is uncertain as to whether there is a breach on which a Point of Order can be made, he can make a parliamentary inquiry of the chair. In ordinary meetings it is undesirable to raise points of order on minor irregularities of a purely technical character, if it is clear that no one's rights are being infringed upon and no real harm is being done to the proper transaction of business.

Motion to Reconsider The motion to Reconsider enables a majority in an assembly, within a limited time and without notice, to bring back for further consideration a motion which has already been voted on. The purpose of reconsidering a vote is to permit correction of hasty, ill-advised, or erroneous action, or to take into account added information, or a changed situation that has developed since the taking of the vote. It can be made only by a member who voted with the prevailing side (eg. one who voted 'Aye' if the motion was adopted). The making of this motion is limited to the meeting where the original vote was taken or the following meeting day. If a motion to Reconsider is adopted, the original motion is immediately brought before the assembly as if it had not been previously considered by the assembly.

Lay on the Table
requires a second
A motion to Lay on the Table enables the assembly to lay the pending question aside temporarily when something else of immediate urgency has arisen, in such a way that there is no set time for taking the matter up again, but its consideration can be resumed at the will of a majority and in preference to any new questions that may then be competing with it for consideration.

Resolutions Resolutions are motions submitted in writing. Motions of high importance, complexity, and/or length should always be submitted as resolutions, preferably in advance of the meeting. A resolution should take the form `` Resolved by the Senate of The Student Government Association University of Maryland Baltimore County, That ...''
It is usually advisable to include a preamble containing reasons for a motion's adoption within the motion.
This is done using the form:
Whereas, ...[preamble clause]; and
Whereas, ...[preamble clause];
Resolved, That ...[stating action to be taken]; and Resolved, That ...[further action to be taken].

How are Motions Presented?

1.Obtaining the floor

a. Wait until the last speaker has finished.

b. Rise and address the Chairman by saying, "Mr. Chairman, or Mr. President."

c. Wait until the Chairman recognizes you.

2.Make Your Motion

a. Speak in a clear and concise manner.

b. Always state a motion affirmatively. Say, "I move that we ..." rather than, "I move that we do not ...".

c. Avoid personalities and stay on your subject.

3.Wait for Someone to Second Your Motion

4.Another member will second your motion or the Chairman will call for a second.

5.If there is no second to your motion it is lost.

6.The Chairman States Your Motion

a. The Chairman will say, "it has been moved and seconded that we ..."

(Thus placing your motion before the membership for consideration and action. )

b. The membership then either debates your motion, or may move directly to a vote.

c. Once your motion is presented to the membership by the chairman it becomes "assembly property", and cannot be changed by you without the consent of the members.

7.Expanding on Your Motion

a. The time for you to speak in favor of your motion is at this point in time, rather than at the time you present it.

b. The mover is always allowed to speak first.

c. All comments and debate must be directed to the chairman.

d. Keep to the time limit for speaking that has been established.

e. The mover may speak again only after other speakers are finished, unless called upon by the Chairman.

8.Putting the Question to the Membership

a. The Chairman asks, "Are you ready to vote on the question?"

b. If there is no more discussion, a vote is taken.

c. On a motion to move the previous question may be adapted.

Voting on a Motion:

The method of vote on any motion depends on the situation and the by-laws of policy of your organization. There are five methods used to vote by most organizations, they are:

1. By Voice -- The Chairman asks those in favor to say, "aye", those opposed to say "no". Any member may move for a exact count.

2. By Roll Call -- Each member answers "yes" or "no" as his name is called. This method is used when a record of each person's vote is required.

3. By General Consent -- When a motion is not likely to be opposed, the Chairman says, "if there is no objection ..." The membership shows agreement by their silence, however if one member says, "I object," the item must be put to a vote.

4. By Division -- This is a slight verification of a voice vote. It does not require a count unless the chairman so desires. Members raise their hands or stand.

5. By Ballot -- Members write their vote on a slip of paper, this method is used when secrecy is desired.

There are two other motions that are commonly used that relate to voting.

1. Motion to Table -- This motion is often used in the attempt to "kill" a motion. The option is always present, however, to "take from the table", for reconsideration by the membership.

2. Motion to Postpone Indefinitely -- This is often used as a means of parliamentary strategy and allows opponents of motion to test their strength without an actual vote being taken. Also, debate is once again open on the main motion.

Parliamentary Procedure is the best way to get things done at your meetings. But, it will only work if you use it properly.

1.Allow motions that are in order.

2.Have members obtain the floor properly.

3.Speak clearly and concisely.

4.Obey the rules of debate.

5.Most importantly, BE COURTEOUS.

Main Motion Must be seconded Takes precedence of nothing -- that is, it cannot be moved when any other question is pending. Can be applied to no other motion Is out of order when another has the floor Is debatable Is amendable	Definitions - A main motion is a motion whose introduction bring business before the assembly; such a motion can be made only when no other motion is pending. Wording: (proposal) - If a main motion is adopted, it becomes the officially recorded statement of an action taken by the assembly. A motion should therefore be worded in a concise, unambiguous, and complete form appropriate to such a purpose. A motion should not be offered if its only effect is to propose that the assembly refrain from doing something, since the same result can be accomplished by adoption no motion at all (eg, it is incorrect to move that ``no response be made''). Similarly, motions to reaffirm a position previously taken by adoption of a motion or resolution are not in order. Such a motion serves no useful purpose because the original motion is still in effect. It is preferable to avoid a motion containing a negative statement even in cases where it would have a meaning, since members may become confused as to the effect of voting for or against such a motion. Rather than moving, for example, that the association go on record as not in favor of the proposed public bond issue,'' it should be moved that the association oppose or declare its opposition to'' the bond issue.	Treatment of Main Motions A subject must be brought up in the form of a motion before it can be discussed in a meeting. Typically a motion is made by a member, read by the chair, discussed, then voted on. This process however can be affected by subsidiary motions and the like. After a main motion has been made and before the question has been stated by the chair, any member can quickly rise and, with little or no explanatatory comment, informally suggest one or more modifications in the motion, which at this point the maker can accept or reject as he wishes. Application of this method should generally be limited to minor changes about which there is unlikely to be a difference of opinion. After the question has been stated by the chair--although the assembly, and not the maker of the motion, then has control over its wording--the maker can request unanimous consent to modify the motion. If any member then objects, however, the desired modification must be introduced in the form of a motion to Amend, If proper recasting of a main motion will require time or study, the motion can be referred to a committee, via a subsidiary motion to Commit.
Privileged motions No second required	Privileged motions do not relate to the pending business, but have to do with special matters of immediate and overriding importance which, without debate, should be allowed to interrupt the consideration of anything else.	Orders of the Day It is evident that the agenda, program, or order of business is being varied from or that the time for the consideration of a postponed motion has arrived or past, and no question is pending. In such a case where no special order is involved, if a member starts to make a motion departing from the correct order of business, or if the chair announces a wrong item, the call must be made before any motion is stated by the chair; otherwise, it cannot be made until after the motion has been disposed of. To Adjourn means to close the meeting. A motion to adjourn may be a privileged or a main motion. The motion to adjourn that commonly occurs in meetings is the privileged motion. The adoption of any motion to adjourn closes the meeting immediately unless the motion specifies a later time for adjourning (but if it does specify such a time it is not a privileged motion). A motion to adjourn is always a privileged motion
Incidental motions	Point of Order A Point of Order takes precedence over any pending question out of which it may arise. It yields to all privileged motions and it yields to a motion to lay the main question on the table, in cases where these motions are in order at the time. It can only be used to question the legality of proceedings and requires immediate ruling by the chair (with the option to consult parliamentarians). It is the right of every member who noticed a breach of the rules to insist on their enforcement. If the chair notices a breach, he corrects the matter immediately; but if he fails to do so -- through oversight or otherwise -- any member can make the appropriate Point of Order. If a member is uncertain as to whether there is a breach on which a Point of Order can be made, he can make a parliamentary inquiry of the chair. In ordinary meetings it is undesirable to raise points of order on minor irregularities of a purely technical character, if it is clear that no one's rights are being infringed upon and no real harm is being done to the proper transaction of business.
Motion to Reconsider	The motion to Reconsider enables a majority in an assembly, within a limited time and without notice, to bring back for further consideration a motion which has already been voted on. The purpose of reconsidering a vote is to permit correction of hasty, ill-advised, or erroneous action, or to take into account added information, or a changed situation that has developed since the taking of the vote. It can be made only by a member who voted with the prevailing side (eg. one who voted 'Aye' if the motion was adopted). The making of this motion is limited to the meeting where the original vote was taken or the following meeting day. If a motion to Reconsider is adopted, the original motion is immediately brought before the assembly as if it had not been previously considered by the assembly.
Lay on the Table requires a second	A motion to Lay on the Table enables the assembly to lay the pending question aside temporarily when something else of immediate urgency has arisen, in such a way that there is no set time for taking the matter up again, but its consideration can be resumed at the will of a majority and in preference to any new questions that may then be competing with it for consideration.
Resolutions	Resolutions are motions submitted in writing. Motions of high importance, complexity, and/or length should always be submitted as resolutions, preferably in advance of the meeting. A resolution should take the form `` Resolved by the Senate of The Student Government Association University of Maryland Baltimore County, That ...'' It is usually advisable to include a preamble containing reasons for a motion's adoption within the motion. This is done using the form: Whereas, ...[preamble clause]; and Whereas, ...[preamble clause]; Resolved, That ...[stating action to be taken]; and Resolved, That ...[further action to be taken].