Ruritan Club and District Officers' Handbook

Parliamentary Procedure

Parliamentary Procedure is a courteous and common sense method of conducting business, ensuring a majority rule, a fair hearing, and protec tion of rights for all. The rights of individuals of the minority and majority must be respected. The parliamentary procedure listed below is in no manner complete but designed to serve Ruritan clubs. Most importantly, a good parliamentary procedure is a logical order of business. One of the most serious causes of confusion at a club business meeting is the failure of the president to keep the club well-informed as to what is the business at hand. The order of business for a Ruritan club meeting can be found in the club bylaws, on the inside front cover of the Club Officers’ Hand book, and on the inside of the front cover of the Secretary’s Book.

Parliamentary Procedure Chart

Motions 1-9 are in order of precedence.

May the Member interrupt Speaker?

Does Member Need a Second?

Member would say:

Can it be Debated?

Can it be Amended?

Vote Needed:

Can it be Recommended?

If a member wishes to:

1. Adjourn meeting

I move that we adjourn

NO

YES

NO

NO

Majority

NO

2. Call an intermission

I move that we recess for ...

NO

YES

NO

YES

Majority

NO

3. Suspend further consideration

I move to table the motion

NO

YES

NO

NO

Majority

NO

of an issue 4. End discussion

I move the previous question

NO

YES

NO

NO

2/3 vote

NO

5. End amendments

I move the previous question

NO

YES

YES

YES

2/3 vote

NO

6. Postpone discussion for a certain time

I move to postpone the discussion until ...

NO

YES

YES

YES

Majority

YES

7. Give something further study

I move to refer the matter

NO

YES

YES

YES

Majority

YES, unless committee has already taken the subject up

to committee

8. Amend a motion * 9. Introduce business

I move to amend the motion by ... NO

YES

YES

YES

Majority

YES

I move that ...

NO

YES

YES

YES

Majority

YES

The motions below are not in any order of precedence but must relate to the business at hand and must be presented at the proper time.

10. Verify a voice vote

I call for a division, or Division

YES

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

11. Request information

Point of information

YES

NO

NO

NO

No Vote

NO

12. Protest breach of rules or conduct

I rise to a point of order

YES

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

13. Take up matters previously tabled

I move to take from the table

NO

YES

NO

NO

Majority

NO

14. Retract your motion

I wish to withdraw my motion

NO

NO

NO

NO

No Vote

NO

15. Vote on a ruling by the chair

I appeal the chair’s decision

YES

YES

YES

NO

Majority

YES

16. Prevent considering

I object to consideration of

YES

NO

NO

NO

2/3

NO

improper matter

this motion

17. Suspend rules temporarily

I move to suspend the rules so that ...

NO

YES

NO

NO

2/3

NO

18. Reconsider a hasty action

I move to reconsider

YES

YES

YES

NO

Majority

NO

the vote on ...

*Amendment must relate to the original motion and must be acted on before the original motion.

Method of Voting a. Voice ‑ yes or no.

Steps to Present a Motion a. When a member is recognized by the president, member will make the motion: (1) clearly, (2) concisely, (3) affirmatively. b. Another member may second the motion, or the chair will call for a second. If no second is obtained, the motion is lost. c. If seconded, the chair will restate the motion. d. All comments are directed to the chair, then the matter may be discussed. The person making the motion is allowed to speak first. e. If the chair or a member feels that all discussion has been presented, he/she may call for the question. Calling for the question means “I would like to have the vote on the motion taken now.” The chair then will ask the question, “Are you ready to vote?” f. If there is no more discussion, the vote is taken. It there is a question as to whether the club is ready to vote, follow procedure on line 4 on parliamentary procedure chart “end discussion.”

b. Division ‑ standing or raised hand vote. c. Roll call ‑ yes or no upon name call. d. Ballot ‑ written secret vote. e. General consent ‑ members show agree ment by voicing no objection. Robert’s Rules of Order The complete “Robert’s Rules of Order” may be obtained through office suppliers, book stores, or from the publisher, Scott, Foresman and Company, in Glenview, Il linois (847) 729‑3000.

39

Revised 8/2024