Basic Parliamentary Procedure

A. To make a motion or amend a motion

1. A Delegate must:  

    • Go to a microphone; 
    • Be recognized by the Presiding Officer; 
    • State their name and local League; 
    • Then, state the motion (or amendment to a motion).

2. The motion (or amendment) must be seconded.

    • It is not necessary to agree with a motion to second it.
      A second only implies that there is more than one person
      who wishes to discuss the motion.
    • A motion coming from the State Board or a committee
      does not need a second.

3. The Presiding Officer then places the motion (or amendment) before the convention for discussion.
The Delegate who made the motion may speak to the motion (or amendment) first.
Note: Once a motion is placed before the assembly by the Presiding Officer, it is under the control of the assembly and does not belong to the Delegate making the motion. For example, it cannot be withdrawn later without permission of the assembly.

4. Note: An amendment(s) to a motion that is on the floor may have two amendments pending at one time. However, the first amendment must relate to the main motion, and the second amendment must relate to the first amendment to the motion.

5. To table a motion or postpone indefinitely
A request to table a motion is useful to suspend consideration of a motion in order to deal with another matter that has come up unexpectedly and which must be dealt with before the pending motion can be properly addressed. To kill a motion, request to postpone indefinitely. A request to table a motion should not be used to kill the motion on the floor or to temporarily postpone consideration of a motion. 

6. To close debate on a motion
    a. A Delegate must: 

    • Go to a microphone; 
    • Be recognized by the Presiding Officer; 
    • State their name and League;
    • Then, move to ‘Close Debate’ and ‘Call for the Previous Question.’

   b. The motion must be seconded, and there is no discussion.

   c. After the motion to Close Debate is approved, there will be an immediate vote on the pending motion.

B. To Request a Point of Order or Request for Information

If a Delegate believes there was a breach of parliamentary procedure, they may interrupt the motion by raising the red card that has been provided, going to a microphone and requesting a ‘Point of Order’. They may also make a ‘Request for Information’ in the same manner if they think there might be a breach but are unsure. The Presiding Officer will address the question.

If the point of order refers to an action made by someone other than the Presiding Officer, the Delegate should give the Presiding Officer time to correct the problem.

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