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Main Motions
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HANDLING MAIN MOTIONS
(Based on Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised)
By Shane D. Dunbar, MEd, PRP, PAP
Professional Registered Parliamentarian, and
Professional Accredited Parliamentarian
dunbar@northwest.net.
STEP 1: A MEMBER RISES AND ADDRESSES THE CHAIR (CHAIRMAN).
MARY:-(Rising and facing the chair, who is standing) "Mr./Madam President." (Mary remains standing.)
- A main motion may not be proposed when another member has the floor or another motion is pending.
- "Mr./Madam Chairman" may also be used to address the chair if it is an official title.
- If the person presiding has no regular title or if it is a temporary position, he/she may be addressed as Mr./Madam Chairman," "Mr./Madam Chair," or Mr./Madam Chairperson."
STEP 2: THE MEMBER IS RECOGNIZED BY THE CHAIR.
CHAIR:-(Standing) "Mary." (The chair remains standing.)
- Recognition may be completed by the chair saying the member's name, title, or by nodding in small assemblies.
- The member who is allowed to speak to the assembly "has the floor." The member "yields the floor" by resuming his/her seat.
STEP 3: THE MEMBER PROPOSES A MAIN MOTION.
MARY:-(Standing) "I move that our club have a picnic in the city park next Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m." (Mary resumes her seat.)
- Main motions should be stated in the affirmative and start out with the words "I move that ..."
- Avoid statements such as "I so move."
- Main motions bring business before the assembly.
STEP 4: ANOTHER MEMBER SECONDS THE MAIN MOTION.
JOHN:-(Seated, and without being recognized) "I second the motion."
- It is also proper to say "I second it," or just, "Second!"
STEP 5: THE CHAIR STATES THE MAIN MOTION TO THE ASSEMBLY.
CHAIR:-(Standing) "It is moved and seconded that our club have a picnic in the city park next Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Are you ready for the question?" (The chair remains standing.)
- This step is called "stating the question."
- The chair may also ask, "Is there any debate (or discussion)?" rather than "Are you ready for the question?" as another method of determining if there is debate.
- The main motion is now the "pending question."
STEP 6: THE ASSEMBLY DEBATES THE MAIN MOTION.
- Members stand and face the chair and say "Mr./Madam President," wait to be recognized by the chair, stand while debating, and sit when finished (yield the floor).
- The maker of the motion is entitled to debate first (called "preference in recognition") if he/she rises and addresses the chair promptly (before anyone has been recognized by the chair).
- Debate must relate to the pending main motion (must be germane).
- Debate can be closed by the chair if no one seeks the floor for further debate or a member can move the Previous Question. This motion requires a second and a two-thirds vote for adoption.
- No member can debate more than twice on the same motion on the same day and can only debate up to ten minutes each time.
STEP 7: THE CHAIR TAKES A VOICE VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION.
CHAIR:-(Standing) "Are you ready for the question?" (Pause for response) (Silence) "The question is on the adoption of the motion 'that our club have a picnic in the city park next Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.' Those in favor of the motion, say 'Aye.'" (Pronounced 'I' or 'eye' for the affirmative) (Pause for response) "Those opposed, say 'No.'" (For the negative) (Pause for response) (The chair remains standing).
- This step is called "putting the question."
- The chair can take a standing vote (A Division of the Assembly) without permission of the assembly.
- A member can demand a Division of the Assembly after a voice vote is taken by the chair by calling out "Division!" from his/her seat. This compels the chair to take a standing vote immediately. It can be called from the time the negative vote has been cast and until the question is stated by the chair on another motion.
- The chair may vote if it affects the results or the vote is by ballot.
- The chair does not take a vote on abstentions.
STEP 8: THE CHAIR ANNOUNCES THE RESULT OF THE VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION AND THE EFFECT OF THE ACTION.
CHAIR:-(Standing) "The 'Ayes'(or 'Noes') have it and the motion is adopted (or lost). This group will (will not) have a picnic in the city park next Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Is there further new business?"
- A main motion requires a majority affirmative vote to be adopted.
- Members can change their votes up to the time the final results are announced by the chair.
HANDLING MOTIONS
IN SMALL GROUPS
Modified parliamentary rules can be used in small boards and committees that have up to about twelve members. Members do not have to rise and be recognized by the chair before making and speaking on motions, they may propose motions, debate, and carry on discussions while seated, motions do not need to be seconded, and initial votes can be taken by a show of hands.
In addition, members may speak as many times as desired on motions and informal discussion is allowed, even though a motion may not bepending. The chair need not stand, can make motions and debate them without giving up the chair, and usually votes on all motions. |
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