Page 9 - 2020 Conference Booklet

Parliamentary Procedures in Brief

In order that the delegate body may participate readily in the parliamentary aspects of the business
sessions, the following summary of the more common kinds of action may be helpful.

I. When you want to bring before the Conference for its consideration a particular subject or item
of business:
a. The proper motion is Main Motion – A Main Motion requires a second, is debatable, is
amendable, and requires a majority vote to pass (or two-thirds vote if previously agreed
on by Conference action).
b. Form: “I move that …” or “I move the adoption (acceptance, approval) of this report.”

II. When you want to modify or in some way appropriately dispose of a matter of business, you

may: (motions listed in ascending order of precedence)
a. Move to lay on the table, or take from the table (second, not debatable, not
amendable, simple majority).
i. Object: To lay aside business in such a manner that its consideration may be
renewed later.
ii. Form: “I move that this matter be laid on the table” or “I move to take from the
table…”
b. Move the previous question (second, not debatable, not amendable, two-thirds vote
required).
i. Object: To stop debate on the immediately pending question.
ii. Form: “I move the previous question.”
Please note that merely calling “question” from the floor is not the same as a
motion for the previous question, and does not obligate the Moderator to take a
vote.
c. Move to postpone to a set time (second, debatable, amendable, simple majority).
i. Object: Unlike tabling, the business is considered at a later time without needing
to be “taken from the table.”
ii. Form: “I move that this matter be postponed to…”
d. Move to commit, refer, or recommit (second, debatable, amendable, simple majority).
i. Object: To place the business in the hands of a few for later reporting to the
Conference (for major changes).
ii. Form: “I move that this matter be referred to a committee of … to be named by
… with instruction…”
e. Move to amend (second, debatable, amendable, simple majority).
i. Object: To change or modify, to “amend” (for minor changes).
1) Form: “I move to amend the motion by striking out…”
2) Form: “I move to amend the motion by inserting … between … and …”
3) Form: “I move to amend the motion by adding … after …”
4) Form: “I move to amend the motion by striking out … and inserting …”
5) Form: “I move to amend the motion by striking out … and substituting this
(read or share the substitution).”

8