CORRECT PARLIAMENTARY TERMINOLOGY

Robert McConnell Productions Competition Teams CORRECT PARLIAMENTARY TERMINOLOGY

SUBSIDARY MOTIONS

TO OBTAIN THE FLOOR: (rise and say) Madam Chairman or Mr. Chairman Madam President or Mr. President

TO MAKE A MOTION SAY: I move that... or I move to........

THE CHAIR STATES: It is moved and seconded that......Is there any discussion?

IN TAKING THE VOTE THE CHAIR STATES: All those in favor say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”.

ANNOUNCING A VOICE VOTE: The “ayes have it and the motion is carried. We will be ....... And so and so will do it. OR The “noes” have it and the motion is lost. We will not be doing.........

TAKING A RISING VOTE: All those in favor please rise. Be seated. Those oppose please rise. Be seated.

ANNOUNCING A RISING VOTE: The affirmative has it and the motion is carried. We will .....And so and so will do it. OR The negative has it and the motion is lost. We will not do.......

WHEN A MEMBER DOUBTS THE RESULT OF A VOICE VOTE, THE MEMBER CALLS OUT: “Division” or “I call for a division”.

THE CHAIR STATES: “A division has been called for. All those in favor please rise. Be seated. Those oppose please rise. Be seated. (Announce the vote.)

TO MAKE THE MOTION TO POSTPONE INDEFINITELY: I move that the motion be postponed indefinitely.

TO MAKE THE MOTION TO AMEND: “I move to amend the motion by adding at the end .................

“I move to amend the motion by inserting..... after.....
“I move to amend the motion by striking out ......and inserting.......
“I move to amend the motion by striking out.......

HOW THE CHAIR STATES THE MOTION TO AMEND: “It is moved and seconded to amend the motion by adding at the end.......
If amended the motion would read.........Is there any discussion on the proposed amendment?
It is moved and seconded to amend the motion by striking out.....and inserting.....
If amended the motion would read....
Is there any discussion on the proposed amendment?
It is moved and seconded to amend the motion by striking out.....
If amended the motion would read.....
Is there any discussion on the proposed amendment?
HOW THE CHAIR TAKES A VOTE ON AMENDMENTS: “The question is on the adoption of the proposed amendment to add at the end......
All those in favor say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”.
ANNOUNCE THE VOTE: (IF THE AYES HAVE IT): “The ayes have it and the motion is amended. .............will be added to the end. The question is on the adoption of the motion as amend (state the motion as amend) Is there any discussion?

ANNOUNCE THE VOTE (IF THE NOES HAVE IT): “The noes have it and the amendment is lost. The question is on the adoption of the motion...... Is there further discussion?

TO MAKE THE MOTION TO COMMIT: “I move to refer the motion to the ......committee, to do......and report back at the next meeting.”

THE CHAIR STATES: “It is moved and seconded to refer the motion to the...committee, to do...and report back at the next meeting. Is there any discussion on referring to a committee?

THE CHAIR TAKES A VOTE: “All those in favor of referring the motion to the ....committee say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”.

ANNOUNCING THE VOTE: “The ayes have it and the motion is referred to the ...committee, to do....and report back at the next meeting. Is there further business? (or announce it)

ANNOUNCING THE NEGATIVE VOTE: “The noes have it and the motion is not referred to the....committee. Is there further discussion?

TO MAKE THE MOTION TO POSTPONE: “I move to Postpone the motion to.....(state time or date or both and if it is to be made a special order)

THE CHAIR STATES THE MOTION: “It is moved and seconded to Postpone the motion to......Is there any discussion on postponing the motion?

THE CHAIR TAKES A VOTE: (If it is to be a general order, it is a voice vote): All those in favor of postponing the motion, say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”.

ANNOUNCING THE VOTE: (If ayes have it) The ayes have it and the motion is postponed to ..... Is there further business? (or announce it)

ANNOUNCING THE VOTE:( If the noes have it): The noes have it and the motion to postpone is lost. Is there further discussion on...?

TAKING THE VOTE IF THE MOTION TO POSTPONE INCLUDES THAT IT BE MADE A SPECIAL ORDER: “All those in favor of Postponing the motion to ....and be made a special order for....., please rise. Be seated. Those opposed please rise, be seated. “ (remember this takes a two thirds vote to adopt)

ANNOUCNING THE VOTE (if the affirmative has it) “The affirmative has it and the motion will be postponed to....and made a special order for...... Is there further business? (or announce what the business is)

ANNOUNCING THE VOTE (if the negative has it) “The negative has it and the motion to postpone is lost. Is there further discussion?”

TO MAKE THE MOTION TO LIMIT OR EXTEND DEBATE: “I move to limit debate to....... OR I move to extend debate to........

THE CHAIR STATES THE MOTION AND IMMEDIATELY TAKES A VOTE: “It is moved and seconded to limit debate to.....All those in favor please rise. Those opposed please rise. (remember this takes a two thirds vote to adopt)

ANNOUNCING THE VOTE: “The affirmative has and it and debate will be limited (or extended) to........Is there further discussion? OR “The negative has it and debate will not be limited (or extended) to....Is there further discussion?

TO MAKE THE MOTION TO CLOSE DEBATE: (PREVIOUS QUESTION): “I move the Previous Question”. or “I move to close debate.”

The Previous Question can be moved on the immediately pending
question, or on all pending questions or on adjacent pending questions.

THE CHAIR STATES: “The Previous Question is moved and seconded. If adopted debate will cease on the pending question. All those in favor please rise. Be seated. Those opposed please rise. Be seated.

OR THE CHAIR COULD SAY: “The question is on the adoption of the Previous Question. If adopted debate will stop on the pending motion. All those in favor please rise. Be seated. Those opposed please rise. Be seated.” (this requires a two thirds vote)

ANNOUNCE THE VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION: (affirmative): “There are two thirds vote in the affirmative. Debate is closed. All those in favor say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”.

ANNOUNCE THE VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION: (negative): There are less than two thirds in the affirmative. The Previous Question is lost. Debate will continue. Is there further discussion?

TO MAKE THE MOTION TO LAY ON THE TABLE: (remember the member must state the reason why) “I move to lay the motion on the table because.....

CHAIR STATES THE MOTION: “It is moved and seconded to lay the motion on the table. All those in favor say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”.

ANNOUNCE THE VOTE: (ayes) “The ayes have it and the motion is laid on the table. Is there further business. (or announce it)

ANNOUNCING THE VOTE (noes): “The noes have it and the motion is lost. Is there further discussion? (if that is in order at that time.)

PRIVELEGED MOTIONS

TO CALL FOR THE ORDERS OF THE DAY (member rises) Madam President, I call for the orders of the day.

THE CHAIR STATES: The orders of the day are called for. The orders of the day are........

TO SET ASIDE THE ORDERS OF THE DAY BY THE INTIATIVE OF THE CHAIR: The orders of the day are called for. The orders of the day are (state what they are). The question is: Will the assembly proceed to the orders of the day? All those in favor of proceeding to order of the day, please rise. Be seated. Those opposed please rise. Be seated. (it takes a two thirds vote in the negative to set aside the orders of the day so it must be a rising vote)

ANNOUNCING THE VOTE IF THE AFFIRMATIVE HAS IT: The affirmative has it and we will proceed to the orders of the day.

ANNOUNCING THE VOTE IF THE NEGATIVE HAS IT: There is a two thirds vote in the negative and the orders of the day are set aside. We will continue discussing.......

TO RAISE A QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE, A MEMBER RISES: Madam President, I rise to question of privilege concerning the assembly.

THE CHAIR’S RESPONSE: Please state the question.

TO MAKE THE MOTION TO RECESS THREE WAYS:

        1. “I move that the meeting recess until ______time.”
        2. “I move to recess for ten minutes.”
        3. “I move to recess until called to order by the chair.”

CHAIR‘S RESPONSE: “It is move to recess for ten minutes. All those in favor say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”.

ANNOUNCING THE VOTE: The ayes have it and the meeting stands in recess for ten minutes. (one rap of the gavel) Or “The noes have it and we won’t recess . Is there further discussion?”

CALLING THE MEETING BACK TO ORDER: “The meeting will come to order. (one rap of the gavel)

MAKING THE MOTION TO ADJOURN: “I move to adjourn” or “I move that the meeting adjourn”.

CHAIR’S RESPONSE: It is moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. All those in favor say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”. (announce the vote)

TO MAKE THE MOTION TO FIX THE TIME TO WHICH TO ADJOURN: “I move that when the meeting adjourns , it adjourn to meet at 8pm tomorrow.” OR “I move that when this meeting adjourns, it stand adjourned to meet at 3pm on Tuesday, May 1, at town hall.” OR “I move that on adjournment, the meeting adjourn to meet at the call of the chair.”

CHAIR’S RESPONSE: “It is moved and seconded that when the meeting adjourns, it adjourn to meet at 8pm tomorrow. All those in favor say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”. (announce the vote)

INCIDENTAL MOTIONS

TO MAKE A POINT OF ORDER: “Mr. President, I rise to a point of order.

CHAIR’S RESPONSE: Please state your point.

TO MAKE A PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY: Mr. President, I rise to a parliamentary inquiry.

CHAIR’S RESPONSE: Please state your inquiry.

TO ASK FOR INFORMATION: Mr. President, I rise to a point of information.

CHAIR’S RESPONSE: Please state your point.

TO QUESTION THE CHAIR’S RULING: “I appeal from the decision of the chair. *(needs a second)

IF THE APPEAL IS DEBATABLE THE CHAIR STATES: “The ruling of the chair is appealed. The chair ruled that.....(state the ruling and the reason for the ruling) The question is, shall the decision of the chair be sustained? Is there any discussion?

TAKING THE VOTE ON THE APPEAL: “All those in favor of sustaining the chair’s decision say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”. (announce the vote)

OBJECT TO CONSIDERING THE MOTION A MEMBER SAYS: Mr. President, I object to the consideration of the question. (it does not require a second)

CHAIR’S RESPONSE: “The consideration of the question is objected to. Shall the question be considered? Those in favor of considering the question, rise. Be seated. Those opposed to considering the question, rise. Be seated. (It takes a two-thirds vote against consideration to sustain the objection)

ANNOUNCING THE VOTE: (those in favor of considering the question) “There are less than two thirds opposed and the objection is not sustained. The question is on the motion......

ANNOUNCING THE VOTE: (those opposed to considering the question) "There are two-thirds opposed and the question will not be considered. Is there further business?”

TO SUSPEND THE RULES: “I move to suspend the rules and take up.....” (needs a second)

CHAIR’S RESPONSE: “It is moved and seconded to suspend the rules and take up......All those in favor, rise. Be seated. Those opposed, rise. Be seated.

ANNOUNCING THE VOTE: (affirmative) There are two thirds in the affirmative and the rules are suspended and we will take up........

ANNOUNCING THE VOTE: (negative) There are less than two thirds in the affirmative and the rules are not suspended. We will.......

MOTIONS THAT BRING A QUESTION AGAIN BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE: “I move to reconsider the vote on the motion...... I voted on the prevailing side.” (requires a second)

CHAIR’S RESPONSE: (if no other motion is pending) “It is moved and seconded to reconsider the vote on the motion........Is there any discussion? (if the motion is debatable)

IF BUSINESS IS PENDING THE CHAIR STATES: “Will the secretary make a note that the motion to reconsider was made and seconded?”

TO CALL UP THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER: “I call up the motion to reconsider the vote on the motion to.......

CHAIR’S RESPONSE: “It is moved and seconded to reconsider the vote on the motion to ........Is there any discussion?

TAKING THE VOTE ON RECONSIDER: “All those in favor of reconsidering the vote on the motion.......say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”. (announce the vote)

TO TAKE A MOTION FROM THE TABLE: “I move to take from the table the motion ............(It needs a second)

CHAIR’S RESPONSE: “It is moved and seconded to take from the table the motion.....All those in favor, say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”.

ANNOUNCING THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE: “The ayes have it and the motion is taken from the table. Is there any discussion?

ANNOUNCING THE NEGATIVE VOTE: “The noes have it and the motion is not taken from the table. Is there further business?”

TO MAKE THE MOTION TO RESCIND: “I move to rescind the motion that was adopted to.........

CHAIR’S RESPONSE: It is moved and seconded to rescind the motion that was adopted to......Is there any discussion?
TO AMEND SOMETHING PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED: “I moved to amend the motion that was adopted at the last meeting to.......... by striking out......and inserting..........

CHAIR’S RESPONSE: “It is moved and seconded to amend the motion that was adopted at the last meeting to..... by striking out....and inserting....... Is there any discussion on the proposed amendment?

HELPFUL POINTERS FOR THE CHAIR:

1. WHEN A NON DEBATABLE MOTION IS PENDING AND A MEMBER RISES AND ADDRESSES THE CHAIR, THE CHAIR SHOULD SAY:

“For what purpose does the member rise?”

2. WHEN MORE THAN ONE MOTION IS PENDING, THE CHAIR SHOULD STATE IT THIS WAY WHEN TAKING THE VOTE ON EACH MOTION:

“The question is on the adoption of the motion to.........

3. THERE ARE SEVERAL CORRECT PHRASES TO USE WHEN TAKING THE VOTE:

“As many as are in favor of, say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”.

“All those in favor, say “aye”. Those opposed say “no”.

“The question is on the adoption of the motion to......”

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