Order of Precedence - Parliamentary procedure specifies which motions must be considered first, second, and so on. The motions with higher priority must be acted on before those with lower priority can be decided. Likewise, when a higher priority motion is under consideration, a new motion of lower priority cannot be introduced. The lower priority motion would be called "out of order" until the higher priority motion is dealt with.

Voting Members - Every organization has rules about who can and cannot vote in their decisions. Obviously, voting is almost always limited to members of the organization making the decision. Visitors, advisors, former members, and others present are not entitled to vote. Some organizations have other qualifications for voting, and some meetings establish "delegates" to vote on behalf of a group.

Seconds - Most motions require a "second." This simply means that another person, other than the one making the motion, must support it's being discussed by the group (usually by saying "I second the motion.") If no one seconds a motion that requires a second, the motion "dies for lack of a second" and is not discussed or acted on by the group. When a motion comes to the main group from a committee, it usually does not need a second, since the members of the committee are assumed to have seconded it.

Conducting Debate - Certain procedural motions cannot be debated (see summary chart). However, for most other motions, the members may discuss the good and bad points of the decision, suggest changes to the details of the motion, ask questions, and speak in favor or in opposition to the decision. Organizations may limit the number of speakers who may talk, and the time that may be spent on debate, if they choose to, as long as both sides of the issue have equal opportunity to present their views.

Amending Motions - Motions can be amended by a formal vote of the group or (sometimes) by consent of the person making the original motion. Each motion for an amendment must be acted on individually, before returning to consideration of the original motion. It is important that someone keep track, in writing, of amendments offered and approved, so that a final form of the motion can be read to members before they vote on it.

Vote - There are many methods of voting on a motion. Most business, especially if it isn't controversial, is decided by "voice vote." The presiding officer will say something like, "All in favor say 'Aye!' " and, "All opposed, 'Nay!' " He will then announce, "the motion carries/fails." If the vote is close, or if the group prefers, a vote may be held by show of hands, by standing, by role call of members, or in writing. The number of votes needed to pass a motion can sometimes be tricky to decide. Click here for a discussion of MAJORITIES.

Out of Order - The presiding officer, perhaps in consultation with the parliamentarian, can rule a member's proposal or speech "out of order" for various reasons. A motion is out of order, for example, if there is another motion of higher precedence already being considered. Debate might be out of order if there is no motion of the floor, if the motion isn't allowed to be debated (see chart), or if the motion has already been voted upon. Someone speaking might be out of order if they are not a voting member, or did not have proper permission or recognition to speak, or if they are speaking on a topic not relevant to the current discussion, or if they are speaking in a way (shouting, vulgarity) that is inappropriate to the context. The presiding officer may not call someone "out of order" because he disagrees with them or doesn't want to let them speak.