01-13-2011 Charter Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Robert's Rules of Order Made Simple Points The following three points are always in order: • Point of Order: .When a member thinks that the rules of the assembly are being violated, s/he can make a Point of Order (or "raise a question of order," as it is sometimes expressed), thereby calling upon the chair for a ruling and an enforcement of the regular rules. • Point of Information: a request for information on a specific question, either about process or about the content of a motion. A point of information does not give the speaker the privilege to provide information. If you have information for the body, raise your hand to be put on the speakers list. • Point of Personal Question of Privilege: a comment addressing a personal need - a direct response to a comment defaming one's character, a plea to open the windows, etc. a device that permits a request or main motion relating to the rights and privileges of the assembly or any of its members to be brought up for possible immediate consideration because of its urgency, while business is pending and the request or motion would otherwise be out of order. Motions * All main motions must be seconded, and are adopted by a majority vote unless otherwise noted. * All main motions may be debated unless otherwise noted. Motions are of four five types: privileged, subsidiary, incidental, main and motions that bring a question again before the assembly. • Privileged motions have precedence over nearly all other motions. They fall within a list of precedence. • Subsidiary motions yield precedence to the privileged motions and take precedence over main motions. They fall within a list of precedence. Subsidiary motions assist the assembly in treating or disposing of a main motion (and sometimes other motions). • Incidental motions do not properly fall within the list of precedence, since they usually arise out of the business of the assembly. They may be proposed at any time, and must be decided as they arise. They fall within no list of precedence among themselves. • Original main motions and incidental main motions differ principally in the nature of their subject matter. Original main motions bring business before the group, and incidental main motions is a main motion that is incidental to or relates to the business of the assembly, or its past or future action. bring a question again before the group. Those motions are of the lowest rank and take precedence over no others. They fall within no list of precedence among themselves. • Motions that bring a question again before the assembly- Fall within no list of precedence among themselves. Like main motions, all of the motions that bring a question again before the assembly are usually made (and three of them can only be made) while no business is pending. The following Motions are in order of precedence: motions may be made only if no motion of equal or higher precedence is on the floor (i.e., don't do a number 9 (refer to committee) when the body is considering a number 7 (motion to extend or limit debate). 1. Fix The Time to Which to Adjourn - Sets the time for an adjourned meeting which is a continuation of the current meeting held at another time before the next regular meeting. 2. Motion to Adjourn - not debatable; goes to immediate majority vote. 3. Motion to Recess - not debatable. May be for a specific time. 4. Call for Orders of the Day - A demand to return to the regular order of business. 5. Lay on the Table - Misused 99.99% of the time. This motion is only used to set aside the pending motion to take up something more urgent, with the full expectation of returning to the motion. It is NOT intended to kill a motion and cannot be used for that purpose due to its high rank. .-�6. Move for the Previous Question; Motion to End Debate and Vote; Call the Question - A motion to close debate immediately and vote now on the pending motion. Applies only to the motion on the floor. Not debatable; requires 2/3 vote. 7. Motion to Limit or Extend Debate - can be general, or for a specific time or number of speakers. Not debatable. 8. Postpone to a Certain Time - Postpones the current motion to the next session or to an adjourned meeting.