MOTION OF THE DAY

1
MOTION OF THE DAY

• An Introduction to the Motion Making Process

2
TYPES OF MOTIONS

• MAIN MOTIONS
• Bring motions before the assembly.
• Original Main Motion
• Motions which bring before the assembly a new
  subject, sometimes in the form of a resolution,
  upon which action by the assembly is desired.
• Incidental Main Motion
• A main motion that is incidental to, or related
• to the business of the assembly, or its past or
• future action.

3
TYPES OF MOTIONS

• SECONDARY MOTIONS
• Motions that are made while a main motion is
  pending.
• Privileged motions Motions that dont relate to
  the main motion or pending business but relate
  directly to the members and the organization.
• Subsidiary motions Motions that aid the assembly
  in treating or disposing of a main motion.
• Incidental motions Motions that relate to
  matters that are incidental to the conduct of the
  meeting rather than directly to the main motion.

4
PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS
5
PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS
Interrupt?
Second?
Debate?
Amend?
You Want To
You Say
Vote
6
PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS

• VISUALIZE THIS
• CONCEPT AS A
• LADDER
• HIGHER ON THE LIST
• IS IN ORDER, LOWER
• IS NOT.

7
LADDER OF MOTIONS

• Only one main motion is allowed on the floor at a
  time, but many secondary motions are
  allowed.
• To come down the ladder, each motion must be
  voted on in the reverse order that it was made.
• The ladder does not only go one way as long as
  the proper order is followed, moving up and down
  is permitted. What may be out of order when one
  motion is immediately pending may be back in
  order during another.

8
SIX STEPS TO PROCESSING A MOTION

• Member makes a motion.
• Another member seconds the motion.
• Chair states the motion, formally placing it
  before the House.
• Assembly deliberates/debates the motion.
• Motion is voted on.
• Chair announces results of vote.

9
SIX STEPS TO PROCESSING A MOTION

• STEP ONE MAKING A MOTION
• Be precise Make sure your motion says what you
  need it to say, but nothing more.
• Keep it positive It is best to state your
  motions in the a way that you agree with them.
  Use positive words to express negative thoughts
  if necessary.
• Write it down If your motion is lengthy or
  complicated, write it down to make sure you state
  it correctly, the Chair states it correctly, and
  the secretary records it correctly.

10
SIX STEPS TO PROCESSING A MOTION

• STEP TWO SECONDING A MOTION
• No second no debate.
• STEP THREE CHAIR STATES THE MOTION
• After this step is completed, the maker of the
  motion no longer owns it, the House does. At this
  point, the motion cannot be amended, withdrawn,
  or otherwise changed without the permission of
  the House by a vote.
• STEP FOUR MOTION IS DEBATED
• Make sure only the motion is discussed and debate
  remains focused and to the point.
• Mind your manners be courteous to the other
  members, even during heated debates.

11
SIX STEPS TO PROCESSING A MOTION

• STEP SIX VOTING ON THE MOTION
• If any member believes the vote needs to be
  counted again, in another way, it must be
  recounted.
• STEP SEVEN CHAIR ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF VOTE
• Which side won the vote.
• Whether the motion passed or failed.
• Effect(s) of the vote.
• Next item of business.

12
SOURCES

• Robert, Henry M III, et al. Roberts Rules of
  Order Newly Revised. Cambridge, MA Da Capo
  Press, 2000.
• Robert, Henry M III, et al. Roberts Rules of
  Order Newly Revised In Brief. Cambridge, MA Da
  Capo Press, 2004.
• Sylvester, Nancy. The Complete Idiots Guide
  to Roberts Rules of Order. Indianapolis, IN
  Alpha Books, 2004.