Chapter Team - Definitions

Main Motion

Introduce subjects to the assembly for its consideration. They cannot be made when another motion is before the assembly.

Subsidiary Motions

Change or affect how the main motion is handled. (They are voted on before the main motion.)

Privileged Motions

Motions of importance that take precedence over all other items of business. They are not debatable and require immediate action.

Incidental Motions

Questions of procedure that arise out of other motions. They must be considered before the other motion.

Raise a question of privilege

A privileged , motion used to complain/fix a problem having to do with heat, noise, lighting, etc. Can interrupt, no second needed, not debatable or amendable, no vote is taken, the chair decides on the matter.

Call for the Orders of the Day

A privileged motion demanding that the group conform to its program and cease talking about other things.

Lay on the Table

A subsidiary motion used to postpone decision on the motion until the next meeting (at latest).

Previous Question

A subsidiary motion used when a member wants on immediate vote. 2/3 vote

Limit or extend limits of debate

A subsidiary motion used to reduce the number or length of speeches permitted, require that debate be closed at a certain hour or after a certain amount of time, allow longer and more speeches. 2/3 vote

Postpone Indefinitely

A subsidiary motion used to kill a motion. Is debatable only if the motion to which it is applied is debatable.

Motions that bring a question again before the assembly

Reconsider
Rescind
Take from the Table
Discharge a committee
Amend something previously adopted

Agenda

Program for the meeting

Amendment

An alternation to the main motion by inserting or striking out words or phrases, but not changing the meaning or intent of the motion.

Appeal

A motion used to represent disagreement with the chair. Majority vote to overturn decision of the chair.

Bylaws

Body of rules by which an organization is run.

Chair

The presiding officer of a meeting

Unanimous consent

Agreement between members for the chair to act or rule. Chair asks, "... does anyone object to the motion?

Debate

Discussion of a motion

Division of a question

Splitting one motion into seperate motions

Floor

The recognition to address the chair or assembly

Request of information

Motion used to ask a question

Point of Order

A motion used to correct a member or state a violation of the rules

Pending

Waiting to be decided or settled. Some stage between proposal and outcome of vote

Precedence

The ranking of motions

Quorum

The minimum amount of members that must be present at a meeting in order for business to be conducted legally.

Rescind

Term used to indicate that a previously accepted motion is to be made void, unless that action has already been taken.

Secondary Motion

Any motion that can be made while a main motion is pending, such as a subsidiary or privileged motion

Suspend the Rules

A term used to indicate a temporary disregard of the rules for a specific purpose.

Unfinished Business

An item on the regular agenda of a business meeting where any table motions from the previous session are to be taken from the table and resolved

Withdraw a Motion

Remove a motion from being before the assembly. Can only be made by the person from which the motion to be withdrawn has originated from

Object to the consideration of the Question

This objection may be applied only to a original main motion, that is, a main motion that brings a new substantive issue before debate has begun on the motion, as the purpose is to completely suppress debate on the motion.