| Description of the Steps and other important
Details |
|
ASSUME THAT NO OTHER MOTION IS PENDING. |
| 1.A member
rises and addresses the chair (chairman) by his/her official title as designated
in the bylaws when no one else has the floor and there is no other motion
pending. |
JOHN:-(Rising) "Mr./Madam
President." (John remains standing.)
(In some organizations, "Mr./Madam
Chairman" may be a proper title.) |
| 2.The chair
recognizes the member by announcing his/her name or by nodding in a small
assembly. |
CHAIR:-(Standing) "John." (The
chairman remains standing.) |
| 3.The member
makes a main motion by starting out with the words "I move that" and is
then seated. Never use the words "I so move" when making a main motion.
Use as few words as possible. Try to include information such as what, when,
where, how and who. Motions proposing that the assembly "refrain from doing
something" or that contain a negative statement should not be used because of
possible confusion in voting. |
JOHN:-(Standing) "I move
that we hold our annual picnic in the city park on July 15th." (John resumes
his seat.) |
| 4.Another
member seconds the main motion while seated and without recognition from
the chair. If there is no second, even after the chair asks for one, the chair
says, "Since there is no second, the motion is not before this meeting."
|
ANOTHER MEMBER:-(Seated and
without being recognized) "I second it."
(Other forms are "I second the
motion," or "Second!") |
| 5.The chair
states the main motion to the assembly. This is called "stating the
question." |
CHAIR:-(Standing) "It is moved
and seconded that we hold our annual picnic in the city park on July 15th." (The
chairman remains standing.) |
| 6.The assembly
debates the merits of the main motion. The maker of the motion is
entitled to debate first. Each member may debate for ten minutes, twice. Members
must rise and address the chair, be recognized by the chair before speaking, and
sit after debating. All debate must relate to the main motion (must be
germane). |
CHAIR:-(Standing) "Is there any
debate?" (The chairman should be seated during debate on the main
motion.)
(The statement "Are you ready for the question?" may be used instead
of "Is there any [or further] debate?") |
7.The chair
takes a voice vote on the main motion. This is called "putting the
question." The affirmative vote is taken first.
If the results of the voice
vote are inconclusive, the chair may call for a Division of the Assembly
by taking a rising vote or a rising, counted vote. Any member can demand
a rising vote by calling out "Division!" |
CHAIR:-(Standing) "Is there
further debate?" (Pause for response) "The question is on the adoption of the
motion that we hold our annual picnic in the city park on July 15th. Those in
favor, say Aye." (Pause for response) "Those opposed, say No." (Pause for
response) (The chairman remains standing.) |
8.The chair
announces the outcome of the voice vote, if the motion is adopted or lost, the
effect of the vote, and the next action of the assembly.
If the main
motion receives a tie vote, it is lost.
If a rising, counted vote
is taken, the chair states the count before announcing the prevailing (winning)
side, and it should be entered in the minutes. |
CHAIR:-(Standing) "The Ayes
have it, and the motion is adopted. We will hold our annual picnic in the city
park on July 15th. Is there further new business?" (The chairman remains
standing.)
OR:
CHAIR:-(Standing) "The Noes have it, and
the motion is lost. We will not hold our annual picnic in the city park on July
15th. Is there further new business?" (The chairman remains
standing.) |
