Parliamentary Procedure
Handling The Motion
• How the motion is brought before the
assembly:
– A member presents a motion.
– Another member seconds the motion.
– Chairperson restates the motion.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 1
Parliamentary Procedure
Handling the Motion
• Motion is pending after the chair has stated
the question:
– The motion becomes debatable.
– A vote is taken after debate.
• Motion is adopted or carried.
• Motion is defeated or rejected.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 2
Parliamentary Procedure
Handling the Motion
• Seconding a Motion:
– Raise your hand.
– Gain recognition from chair, state your last
name & chapter.
– State “Second” or “I second the motion.”
– If motion fails to be seconded, the motion dies.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 3
Parliamentary Procedure
Main Motion
• Consideration:
– Members are entitled to debate the motion.
– Chair puts the motion to a vote.
– Chairperson announces the result of the vote.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 4
Parliamentary Procedure
Types Of Motions
• Motions are classified into five categories.
– Main
– Subsidiary
– Privileged
– Incidental
– Unclassified
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 5
Parliamentary Procedure
Types of Motions
• Motions take precedence according to
their rank.
• A motion with precedence has greater
importance and/or higher ranking than
another.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 6
Parliamentary Procedure
Types of Motions
• Precedence:
– Privilege motions
– Subsidiary motions
– Incidental motions
– Unclassified motions
– Main motions
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 7
Parliamentary Procedure
Privileged Motions
• Have no connection with the main motion.
• Entitled to immediate consideration to all
other motions.
• Kinds of privileged motions.
– Question of privilege
– Adjourn
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 8
Parliamentary Procedure
Subsidiary Motions
• Assists in treating or disposing of a main
motion.
• Have a definite order in which they must be
disposed of before the main motion.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 9
Parliamentary Procedure
Subsidiary Motions
• Types of subsidiary motions.
– Lay on the table
– Refer to committee
– Previous question
– Amendments
– Postpone definitely
– Postpone indefinitely
– Limit debate
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 10
Parliamentary Procedure
Incidental Motions
• Motions that arise incidentally out of the
business of the assembly.
• Have no order of precedence among
themselves.
• Must be acted on before any other motion,
except privileged motions.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 11
Parliamentary Procedure
Incidental Motions
• Types of Incidental Motions:
– Appeal: used to determine whether or not a
decision by the chair is valid.
– Point of Order: used to determine if the rules
of the assembly are being violated.
– Division of the House: used when in doubt of
the results of the vote.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 12
Parliamentary Procedure
Incidental Motions
• Types of Incidental Motions:
– Withdraw: used to take back or modify a motion.
– Parliamentary Inquiry: used to determine if the
rules of the organization or parliamentary law are
adhered.
– Point of Information: used to determine relevant
information to the business at hand.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 13
Parliamentary Procedure
Unclassified Motions
• Motions that call up business for further
deliberation, and have rank of main motions.
• Types of Unclassified motions.
– Reconsider: used to correct hasty, ill-advised or
erroneous action
– Take from the Table: used to consider business that
was laid aside.
– Rescind: used to invalidate by later action.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 14
Parliamentary Procedure
Main Motions
• Brings business before the
assembly.
• Ranks lowest in the order of
precedence of motions.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
522.T 15