Parliamentary Procedure

A Very Short Course

©1996 James D. DeWitt
All Rights Reserved

This is a very brief reference for parliamentary procedure. It is based on Robert's Rules of Procedure, the American codification of meeting rules, but it is not a substitute for the real thing: Robert's Rules of Order. A few suggested references are set out at the end of these materials for further reading.

These materials are mostly the course manual for the Parliamentary Procedure workshop conducted approximately semi-annually for the Volunteer Action Center of the United Way of the Tanana Valley. For information about the calendar of event for the Volunteer Action Center check out the FairNet web page or the Volunteer Action Center itself.

Table of Contents

  1. Quick Reference Chart
  2. Overview
    1. History
    2. Purpose
    3. Key Terms
  3. Presiding and the Order of Business
    1. Agenda
    2. Minutes
    3. Judgment of the Chair
  4. Kinds of Motions
    1. Main Motion
    2. Subsidiary Motion
    3. Appendage Motion
    4. Incidental Motion
  5. Eight Things to Know About a Motion
    1. May the Motion Apply to Other Motions
    2. May the speaker of this motion interrupt another member who is speaking
    3. Must the member be recognized before he can make this motion
    4. Must this motion be seconded before it is officially before the assembly
    5. Is this motion debatable
    6. What is the vote required for adoption
    7. May this motion be renewed after it has been voted down
    8. What other motions may apply to this motion
  6. Common Kinds of Motions in Detail
    1. Fix the Time of the Next Meeting
    2. Adjourn (Recess)
    3. Question of Privilege
    4. Call for the Orders of the Day
    5. Rise to a Point of Order
    6. Appeal the Ruling of the Chair
    7. Suspend the Rules
    8. Create Special Orders
    9. Withdraw (or Renew) a Motion
    10. Division of the House
    11. Object to Consideration
    12. Lay on the Table (or Take from the Table)
    13. Close or Limit Debate
    14. Postpone to a Time Certain
    15. Refer to a Committee (or Recommit)
    16. Amend
    17. Potpone Indefinitely
    18. Main Question
    19. Reconsider
    20. Rescind
  7. Additional Resources
  8. Credits
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Last Modified: Friday, April 18, 1997
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