Motions and Rules of Order

Roberts鈥� Rules of Order

General Senate meetings shall generally be conducted according to the most recent edition of , which are summarized nicely on this cheat sheet.

Below is a quick list of types of motions and the steps for a motion adapted from the linked .

Main Motion:鈥疘ntroduce a new item
Subsidiary Motion:鈥疌hange or affect how to handle a main motion (vote on this before main motion)
Privileged Motion:鈥疷rgent or important matter unrelated to pending business
Incidental Motion:鈥疩uestions procedure of other motions (must consider before the other motion)
Motion to Table:鈥疎nds a motion without a vote or further discussion
Motion to Postpone:鈥疍elays a vote (can reopen debate on the main motion)

Motion:鈥疉 member signals the chairperson (e.g. raises a hand or stands) to indicate the wish to make a motion.
Second:鈥疉nother member seconds the motion.
Restate motion:鈥疶he chairperson restates the motion.
Debate:鈥疶he members debate the motion.
Vote:鈥疻hen debate seems to have ended, the chairperson restates the motion, and then first asks for affirmative votes, negative votes, and abstentions.
- Senators can also close the debate by motioning to 鈥淐all the Question.鈥� The motion requires a second and two thirds vote to close the debate.
Announce the vote:鈥疶he chairperson announces the result of the vote and any instructions