© 1998 by Skip Spitzer
Parliamentary procedure is an effiicient decision-making process, but entails the disadvantages of any process based on majority-rule. In the U.S., the most common version of parliamentary procedure is called "Roberts rules of order." Parliamentary procedure is very complex. The following, based on Robert's rules, is a simplified version of how it's done.
Basically, decisions in parliamentary procedure are made by members making motions (proposals), both substantive and procedural, and the body voting on them. Since everything is based on motions, a system of precedence is used to prioritize or order them. (This is where the phrase "you're out of order" comes from.) There are three categories of motions:
Main motions. These are the proposals about what to do about some substantive matter before the group. They have the lowest precedence.
Ordinary motions. These are proposals that impact the resolution of a main motion (such as a motion to amend a proposal). Because they need to be heard and resolved before voting on a main motion, they are of the next highest precedence.
Special motions. These are about high-caliber, generally process-oriented issues and are of the highest precedence. This means that they are always "in order" no matter when they come up.
Motions can only be made if there are no higher ranking ones pending (e.g., you can't make a number 5 motion if a number 2 is unresolved).
All motions have features attached that dictate how they are handled. These govern when they can be made and who can make them, whether they must be seconded (i.e., given one other member's consent to be considered), are debatable (i.e., discussed), ammendable (i.e., changed) or can be reconsidered (i.e., cancelled). Generally, motions are adopted by a majority vote (which means more than half of the votes cast, excluding abstentions and blank votes, are in favor), but some require a 2/3 majority. Votes are generally done by general consent ("If there are no objections, the motion is accepted"), by voice (if there looks like there is some dissension, but not enough to merit a count), or by hand count. A tie vote, except as noted, means that a motion does not carry (pass).
The most important motions and their features are listed below, in order of precedence. All those numbered "1" are special motions and are all tied for highest priority. Everything else is an ordinary motion, except for the last item--the lowly, but all important, main motion.
Special motions
1. Point of Order An objection or suggestion about process. [Features: Can be made any time, no 2nd needed, not debatable.]
1. Point of Information A request for information on a specific question, either about process or about the content of a motion. This is not for giving out information you think others need to know. [Features: Can be made any time, no 2nd needed, not debatable.]
1. Point of Personal Privilege A comment addressing a personal need such as giving a response to a personally-defaming comment or a plea to turn down the furnace. [Features: Can be made any time, no 2nd needed, not debatable.]
1. Motion to Appeal A proposal to change a decision or ruling of the chair. [Features: Must be made immediately following a ruling, 2nd needed, not debatable, not ammendable, reconsiderable.]
1. Motion to Withdraw A proposal that there be no vote on a motion. [Features: Can be made when you have the floor, 2nd needed, debatable, not ammendable, reconsiderable only if it passes.]
1. Motion to Suspend Rules A proposal to temporarily side-step a process rule within the body's jurisdiction. [Features: Can be made when you have the floor, 2nd needed, not debatable, not ammendable, not reconsiderable, requires 2/3 majority.]
1. Motion to Reconsider A proposal to cancel the outcome of a vote and to reopen the matter at some time for more debate and another vote. [Features: Can only be made by someone who voted in favor of the motion being reconsidered if it passed or who voted against if it did not pass, can be made when you have the floor, 2nd needed, not debatable, not ammendable, not reconsiderable, requires 2/3 majority.]
1. Motion to Rescind A proposal to cancel the outcome of a vote. [Features: Can only be made by someone who voted in favor of the motion being reconsidered if it passed or who voted against if it did not pass, can be made when you have the floor, 2nd needed, debatable, ammendable, reconsiderable if it fails, requires 2/3 majority.]
Ordinary motions
2. Motion to Adjourn A proposal to end the meeting. [Features: Can be made when you have the floor, 2nd needed, not debatable, not ammendable, not reconsiderable.]
3. Motion to Recess A proposal to take a break. [Features: Can be made when you have the floor, 2nd needed, not debatable, ammendable, not reconsiderable.]
4. Motion to End Debate (Call the Question) A proposal to stop discussion of the motion currently on the floor. [Features: Can be made when you have the floor, 2nd needed, not debatable, not ammendable, reconsiderable if it passes and vote it forces has not yet happened, requires 2/3 majority.]
5. Motion to Limit or Extend Debate A proposal to change the planned time for debate. Can be for a specific time or number of speakers. [Features: Can be made when you have the floor, 2nd needed, not debatable, ammendable, reconsiderable, requires 2/3 majority.]
6. Motion to Postpone A proposal to consider a main motion at a later time. [Features: Can be made when you have the floor, 2nd needed, debatable, ammendable, reconsiderable.]
7. Motion to Refer A proposal to refer a main motion to a committee for further action. [Features: Can be made when you have the floor, 2nd needed, debatable, ammendable, reconsiderable (if the committee is not underway).]
8. Motion to Divide the Question A proposal to break a main motion on the floor into separate parts. [Features: Can be made when you have the floor, 2nd needed, not debatable, ammendable, not reconsiderable.]
9. Motion to Amend A proposal to change a main motion. [Features: If the amendment is accepted as "friendly" by the maker of the main motion, it is accepted without a vote. Can be made when you have the floor, 2nd needed, debatable (if the motion to be ammended is), ammendable, reconsiderable.]
Main motions
10. Main motions are proposals about a substantive matter before the body.
In addition to other facilitation tasks, the basic role of the chair in parliamentary procedure is to handle the processing of motions:
The chair also handles any intervening motions. He or she cannot make a motion, but can invite them saying something like "the chair is willing to entertain a motion to..." The chair can vote, if he or she is a member of the group, but should temporarily relinquish the position to participate in a debate in a substantial way. The chair can rely on a designated "parliamentarian" for technical procedural information.
Any ruling of the chair can be challenged, but such appeals must be made immediately after the ruling (before handling of the next motion is underway). If a motion to appeal is seconded, the question put to the body is "Should the ruling be sustained?" and a majority or tie vote sustains the decision.
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©2007 by Skip Spitzer.