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SIKKINK’S SEVEN MOTION SYSTEM
General Rules for a Simplified System of Parliamentary Procedure
1. The purpose of this decision making system is to allow efficient decision making that represents a majority position. Any motion, request, discussion or proposal, which seems to
have as its purpose unreasonable delay, manipulation, or the goal of serving individual ends rather than group ends, can be ruled out of order by the chair. Such a ruling by the chair
will be subject to the motion called appeal.
2. Free and open discussions are valued in this decision making system. For that reason, most motions are discussable and the motion to restrict discussion requires a 2/3 vote in order
to pass. In recognizing persons for discussion, the chair first recognizes the person who made the motion, next recognizes other persons and always recognizes a person who has not spoken
over a person who has already participated in the discussion. As far as possible, the chair should try to alternately recognize persons representing different viewpoints.
3. In examining the chart on the following page, you will note that five of the seven motions are amendable. However, only one amendment at a time may be considered. As soon as that
amendment is passed or defeated, another amendment may be proposed.
4. The number in front of the motion listed indicates the rank of each motion. Thus,
#1 – General motions are lowest in rank, and #7 – Restrict Debate motions are highest in rank. Two rules apply:
You usually cannot consider two motions of the same rank at the same time, and
If a motion of one rank is being considered, a motion of the same rank or lower
rank is usually out of order, but a motion of higher rank is in order.
While these rules generally apply, the chair may allow some flexibility in certain circumstances. These situations almost always occur with motions #5, 6 and 7. For example, if #7
- “Restrict Discussion” is being discussed and a member wants a secret ballot vote on the matter, Request, while lower in rank, could be used to accomplish this purpose. The chair is
allowed to make all decisions on exceptions, but all such decisions are subject to appeal.
Important Note: The previous page and the chart below are taken verbatim from the existing Administrative Manual of the City of Falcon Heights, now in revision. Please note that in
the chart, the motions were put in order of rank from highest (#1) to lowest (#7), the reverse of the text on the previous page. This discrepancy will be corrected in the revision.
Motion
Purpose
Applies To What Situations
Needs Recognition
Needs Second
Can Be Discussed
Amendable
Vote Required
1. Restrict Discussion
To stop or limit discussion
All discussable motions
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
2/3
2. Appeal
To let the group vote on a chair’s decision
To decision of the chairperson
No
Yes
Yes
No
Majority
3. Request
Not a motion but a way to question, challenge, or seek help
Any appropriate situation
No
No
No
No
Chair decides subject to appeal
4. Postpone
To delay action on any general motion to a future time
General motions
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
5. Refer
To have a general motion studied by a committee
General motions
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
6. Meeting Termination
To recess during a meeting or to end a meeting
Made to recess or adjourn
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
7. General
To bring up business for majority decisions by the group
For doing business
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority