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If the assembly is in obvious agreement, the chairperson may save time by stating, “If there is no objection, we will adopt the motion to…” Then the chair can wait for any objections. Then the chair can say, “Hearing no objections, (state the motion) is adopted.” Then the chair will state any instructions. If a member objects, first ask for debate, then vote and then announce the vote.
Certain situations need attention during the meeting, but they don’t require a motion, second, debate or voting. It’s permissible to state a point during a meeting where the chairperson needs to handle a situation right away. Assembly members can declare a Point of Order, Point of Information, Point of Inquiry or Point of Personal Privilege.
Ranked Motions in order of precedence. Any motion can be introduced if it is higher on the chart than the pending motion.
| You want to: | What to Say: | Can Interrupt Speaker? | Need a Second? | Can Be Debated? | Can Be Amended? | Votes Needed |
| End the meeting | "I move to adjourn." | No | Yes | No | No | Majority |
| Take a break | "I move that we recess until..." | No | Yes | No | Yes | Majority |
| Register a complaint | "I rise to a question of privilege." | Yes | No | No | No | None |
| Make follow agenda | "I call for the orders of the day." | Yes | No | No | No | None |
| Table an item | "I move to lay the question on the table." | No | Yes | No | No | Majority |
| Close Debate | "I move the previous question." | No | Yes | No | No | 2/3 |
| Limit or Extend Debate | "I move that debate be limited/extended to..." | No | Yes | No | Yes | 2/3 |
| Postpone an item to a certain time | "I move to postpone the motion until..." | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Majority |
| Refer item to committee | "I move that we refer the matter to committee." | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Majority |
| Modify wording of motion | "I move to amend the motion by..." | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Majority |
| Kill main motion | "I move that the motion be postponed indefinitely." | No | Yes | Yes | No | Majority |
| Bring business to the assembly (a main motion) | "I move that..." | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Majority |
Incidental Motions: These motions do not have an order of precedence. These motions arise incidentally and are decided immediately.
| You want to: | What to Say: | Can Interrupt Speaker? | Need a Second? | Can Be Debated? | Can Be Amended? | Votes Needed |
| Enforce rules | "Point of order." | Yes | No | No | No | None |
| Request Information | "Point of Information." | Yes | No | No | No | No vote |
| Appeal the chair's ruling and submit matter to the assembly | "I appeal from the chair's ruling." | Yes | Yes | Varies | No | Majority |
| Suspend rules | "I move to suspend the rules which..." | No | Yes | No | No | 2/3 vote |
| Avoid main motion altogether | "I object to the consideration of the question." | Yes | No | No | No | 2/3 vote |
| Divide the motion | "I move to divide the question..." | No | Yes | No | Yes | Majority |
| Demand rising vote/voice vote/show of hands | "I call for a division..." | Yes | No | No | No | None |
| Ask a Parliamentary law question | "Parliamentary Inquiry..." | Yes (if urgent) | No | No | No | None |
Motions that Bring Back a Question to the Assembly: These motions have no order of precedence and can be introduced only when nothing else is pending.
| You want to: | What to Say: | Can Interrupt Speaker? | Need a Second? | Can Be Debated? | Can Be Amended? | Votes Needed |
| Take matter from table | "I move to take from the table..." | No | Yes | No | No | Majority |
| Cancel or change previous action | "I move to rescind/amend something previous adopted..." | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2/3 vote or Majority w/notice |
| Reconsider motion (a reconsidered motion cannot be subsequently reconsidered, and must be made during the same meeting as the original motion) | "I move to reconsider the vote..." | No | Yes | Varies | No | Majority |