CHAPTER III
DESCRIPTION OF MOTIONS IN ALL CLASSIFICATIONS
Main Motion – formal proposal by a member, in a meeting, that the assembly take
certain action.
SECONDARY MOTIONS AS UNDERLYING CONCEPT
Secondary Motions
serves as a starting point for the division of motions in classes shown
It also throws light on the order of precedence of motions
Parliamentary law
1. Only one question at a time
2. Once a motion is before the assembly, it must be adopted or rejected by a vote
or the assembly must take action of disposing the question to introduced new.
A secondary motion is one whose relationship to the main question, or whose
procedural character or urgency, is such that:
1. Can be made and considered while a main motion is pending
2. It must be acted upon or disposed of before direct consideration of main
question can be continued
Secondary motions are generally seconded.
When a secondary motion is placed before the assembly, it becomes the immediately
pending question; the main motion remains pending while the secondary motion is
also pending.
Taking of Precedence by One Motion over Another
A secondary motion takes precedence over the main motion; and a main motion
takes precedence over the nothing and yields to all applicable secondary
motions.
It is possible for more than one secondary motion to be pending at a time (together
with the main motion).
Order of Precedence of Motions; Rank
The main motion
Seven subsidiary motions and;
Five privileged motions
Fall into a definite order of precedence
Privilege motions rank above all other motions while main motion ranks the lowest.
Incidental motions have no rank among themselves.
Subsidiary Motions
Assist the assembly in treating or disposing of a main motion (sometimes other
motions)
Listing of Individual Subsidiary Motions:
1. Postpone Indefinitely – an embarrassing motion has been brought before the
assembly
2. Amend – a proposal to change its wording
3. Refer it to the Committee – amending a main motion will take time
4. Postpone Definitely – assembly consider the main motion later at a certain
time
5. Limit or Extend Limits of Debate – debate is consuming too much time or
that the assembly desired for an extension
6. Previous Question – close debate and amendment that it will come to
immediate vote
7. Lay on the Table – lay the main motion aside temporarily
Characteristics of Subsidiary Motions as a Class
1. Always applied to another motion while it is pending
2. Can be applied to any main motion
3. They fit into an order of precedence
4. They are out of order if another member has the floor
5. They are in order during the entire time, except as may be precluded by
previously adopted motion to limit or extend debate, Previous Question
Cases where one subsidiary motion can be applied to another
The subsidiary motion to Amend is applicable to many other motions in addition to the
main motion.
All of the subsidiary motions can be amended except Postpone Indefinitely, Previous
Question, and lay on the Table
PRIVILEGED MOTIONS
Characteristics of Privileged Motion as a Class.
Privileged motions do not relate to pending business but have to do with
Special Matters of immediate overriding importance
Without debate, should be allowed to interrupt the consideration of anything else
All of the five privileged motions take precedence over motions of any other class
except;
Motion to Amend
Motion for the Previous Question
Or an incidental motion
Privileged motion is also known as Privilege Question or Question of Privileged
Listing of Individual Privileged Motions
1. Call for the Order of the Day – the order of business is note being followed
2. Question of Privilege – pressing situation is affecting a right of an assembly
3. Recess – short intermission in a meeting
4. Adjourn – pending business are carried over to the next meeting
5. Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn – this is the highest-ranking of all motions
Incidental Motions
Characteristics of Incidental Motions
Incidental motions relate, in different ways to the pending business or to business
otherwise at hand.
As a class, incidental motions deal with questions of procedure arising out of:
1. Commonly, another pending motion
2. Sometimes, another motion or item of business
a. That it is desire to be introduced,
b. That has been made but has not yet been stated by the Chair or
c. That has just been pending
An incidental motion is said to be incidental to the other motion or matter out of which
it arises.
Listing of Individual Incidental Motions
1. Point of Order – the effect is to require the chair to make a ruling on the
question involved
2. Appeal – can require the chair to submit the matter to a vote of the assembly
3. Suspend the Rules – the assembly do something that would be in violation of
a rule that applies
4. Objection to the Consideration of the Question – a main motion would do
harm to be discussed in the meeting
5. Division of a Question – pending motion is capable of standing as separate
questions
6. Consideration by Paragraph or Seriatim – amend one at a time
7. Division on the Assembly – doubt the accuracy of the chair’s announcement
of the result of a voice vote
8. Motions Relating to Methods of Voting and the Polls
9. Motions Relating to Nominations
10. Request to Be Excused from a Duty – if he wishes to be relieved from an
obligation
11. Request and Inquiries – in connection with business that someone desire to
introduce
a. Parliamentary Inquiry
b. Request for Information
c. Request for Permission
d. Request to Read Papers
e. Request for Any Other Privilege
Conditions Under which Incidental Motions Take Precedence over, or yield to,
Other Motions.
Following principle: An Incidental motion is in order only when it is legitimately
incidental to another pending motion, or when it is legitimately incidental in some other
way to business at hand; it then takes precedence over any other motions that are
pending.
