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Major Motions

The following are the most common motions used in conducting business. They are listed in ORDER OF PRECEDENCE. To find out more about how to use each one, including an example, click on the "How does it work?" link.

A summary chart of these motions and the rules governing them is available to print here (requires Acrobat Reader). This chart will be a handy reference to have at your business meetings.
ADJOURN Ends the current business session. How does it work?
RECESS Calls for a break of a specific length of time in the current business session. How does it work?
POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEDGE Allows members to complain about heat, noise, or other conditions in the meeting place that are interfering with the conduct of business. How does it work?
MOVE TO TABLE Temporarily stop considering an issue currently being discussed. How does it work?
PREVIOUS QUESTION Ends debate and forces a vote on the issue being considered. How does it work?
POSTPONE DISCUSSION Like tabling, but sets a specific time to take up the issue again. How does it work?
REFER TO COMMITTEE Ends discussion on an issue and assigns a committee to study it further before a decision is made. How does it work?
AMEND Offers a change to a motion under consideration. How does it work?
BASIC MOTION Introduces a new item for decision. How does it work?
The motions listed above are in order of precedence... Below there is no order (basically, these motions may be introduced at any time)...
POINT OF ORDER Protests or points out a breach of the rules of order or inappropriate conduct by a member. How does it work?
APPEAL DECISION OF THE CHAIR Calls the group to vote on a ruling by the presiding officer. How does it work?
SUSPEND RULES Allows a rule of order to be temporarily broken for a specific purpose. How does it work?
OBJECT TO CONSIDERING A MOTION Allows the group to decide that a motion or topic is inappropriate and should not be considered. How does it work?
CALL FOR DIVISION Calls for a [close] voice vote to be verified by counting individual votes. How does it work?
POINT OF INFORMATION Allows a member to request more information or ask a question about a matter being discussed. How does it work?
TAKE FROM TABLE Brings a motion back into consideration that was previously tabled. How does it work?
MOVE TO RECONSIDER Allows a second discussion and vote on certain motions already passed/defeated. How does it work?
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