Incidental Motions

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• Incidental Motions
• Especially Point of Order
• Presentation by
• Patricia K. Simpson, RP

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Incidental Motions - General Characteristics

• Relate in varying ways to the main motion and
  other parliamentary motions.
• Are undebatable when ruled on by the chair but
  the chair can ask for advice
• Incidental motions have no order of precedence
  among themselves.
• They take precedence over any pending question
  out of which they arise.
• Some incidental motions can only be made at a
  certain times or under certain conditions. For
  instance, the objection to the consideration of a
  question can only be raised before there has been
  any debate.

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Incidental Motions

• Point of Order- a demand addressed to the chair
  that a rule of parliamentary law be enforced,
  some inappropriate behavior be corrected or
  mistake be corrected. The chair rules on the
  demand.
• I rise to a Point of Order!
• Point of Information- a request to gain
  information that is needed about a motion, vote,
  or report.
• I rise to a Point of Information!
• Point of Inquiry- a request of the chair to gain
  information that is needed about parliamentary
  procedure
• I rise to a Point of Inquiry!

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Incidental Motions

• Division of a Question a request to separate
  the motion into separate parts for individual
  consideration
• I move to divide the Question so as to consider
  separately
• Division of an Assembly call for a rising vote
  to question the accuracy or inconclusiveness of a
  voice vote.
• A division is called for (or demanded or
  Division
• Appeal Question the ruling of the chair. This
  means the question is taken from the chair and
  given to the assembly for final decision.
• Member I appeal the decision of the chair
  Chair Shall the decision of the Chair be
  sustained?

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Incidental Motions

• It is also the right of every member who notices
  the breach of a rule, to insist upon its
  enforcement. In such a case he rises from his
  seat and says, Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point
  of order. The person speaking at that time
  immediately takes his seat, and the chairman
  requests the member to state his point of order,
  which he does and person raising the point of
  order resumes his seat.

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Point of Order

• Point of Order- a demand that can interrupt which
  is addressed generally at the time of the breach
• i.e. Breach of Rules, indecorum by a member
• The subject is not germane or violates the
  bylaws, statutes, etc.

Related to Pending Question
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Point of Order - Qualities
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Point of Order the Motion

• The chair has the right to raise a Point of
  Order. Such as in the case of improper language
  used in debate, the chair would call the speaker
  to order, or a member could say, I call the
  gentleman to order. or I rise to a Point of
  Order. A member has right to challenge the chair
  by raising a Point of Order

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Point of Order - Timeliness

• It must be raised promptly at the time the breach
  occurs.
• Except where the motion violates the law, the
  bylaws, standing rules, or fundamental
  parliamentary principles, which would make
  adoption void. For such cases it is never too
  late to raise a point of order.     

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Point of Order - Ruling

• The chair rules on the Point of Order by saying
• The point is well taken
• Or
• The point is not well taken
• Or
• The chair is in doubt and submits the question
  to the assembly.

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Point of Order - Appeal

• When ruled on by the Chair
• The Chair makes the decision which can be
  appealed by the members
• or
• When turned over to the Assembly
• A majority vote that cant be appealed or
  reconsidered

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Point of Order - Debate
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Point of Order - Debate

• No debate.
• At the discretion of the chair, the member
  raising the Point of Order may be permitted to
  explain why he raised the Point of Order
• If turned over to the assembly then debatable
  (with exceptions of course)

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Point of Order Incidental Motions Arising Out
of It

• Point of Information
• Point of Inquiry
• Point of Order
• and
• When ruled on by the Chair
• Appeal
• or
• When turned over to the Assembly
• Appeal