Opertec Inc.

Confidence Through Knowledge

Quick Guide to Rules of Order

Based on Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised 10th Edition

Steps to Handle a Motion

A member makes a motion

Another member seconds the motion,

The Chair states the motion, passing ownership of the motion to the assembly,

The members debate the motion,

The chair puts the question (motion) to a vote, and

The chair announces the result and effect of the vote.

Making a Motion

The member must first get recognition by the Chair, stand, and “move” that the organization take action or a stand. The member that makes the motion, has the right to speak first to the motion if they wish, can not speak against their own motion, but can vote against their motion.

What is a “Second”?

A member who seconds a motion, only agrees to the consideration of the motion by the assembly, and may not in fact agree with the motion and may wish to speak against the motion in debate.

Rules of Debate

Every member has the right to speak to every debatable motion before it is finally acted upon, unless this right is interfered with by a two-thirds vote of the assembly.

A member has the right to make two speeches of ten minutes length per day on each debatable question, and to change the limits of debate requires a motion adopted by a two-thirds vote. No member can speak a second time before another member who has not yet spoken wishes to speak.

In debate, members should observe the following;

Confine remarks to the pending question,

Refrain from attacking a members motives,

Address all remarks through the Chair,

Avoid the use of members’ names,

Refrain from speaking against one’s own motion,

Refrain from reading from papers or books, unless with permission of the assembly,

Be seated unless speaking, and

Refrain from disturbing the assembly.

The Chair must remain impartial during debate and should have nothing to say on the merits of a pending question. To participate in debate, the Chair must relinquish the chair.

© 2011 Opertec Inc.