SCRIPT: MOTION TO COMMIT OR REFER

"Motion A" is pending

Member:

Chair:
2nd member:
Chair:

I move to refer "Motion A" to the _______________ committee. [Can specify details like date the
committee is to report back. If it is to be referred to a special committee, you can tell size of committee
and give direction as to makeup of committee.]
Is there a second to the motion? [This statement is eliminated if a member calls out "second".]
I second the motion.
It is moved and seconded to refer "Motion A" to the _______________ committee. [Pause]
Is there any discussion?
[After discussion] The question is on the adoption of the motion that we refer "Motion A" to the
_______________ committee. Are you ready for the question? This motion requires a majority vote.
All those in favor, say aye. [Pause for response]
All those opposed, say no. The affirmative has it, the motion is adopted, "Motion A" is referred to the
_______________ committee.
or
The negative has it, the motion is lost and "Motion A" is not referred to the _______________
committee. The motion before you is "Motion A". Is there any further discussion?

FOR THE MOTION TO COMMIT OR REFER:

Needs a second
Is debatable
Is amendable
Needs a majority vote
SCRIPT: CALL FOR THE ORDERS OF THE DAY

"Motion A" is pending

Member:
Chair:

Chair:

I call for the orders of the day. [May add what was scheduled to come before the assembly at this
time.]
The orders of the day are called for.
[Proceed to what was scheduled for this time.]
or
It appears that the members wish to continue discussing the current issue and not call up the orders of
the day. We will take a vote. The question before you is "Will the assembly proceed to the orders of the
day?" This motion needs a two-thirds vote in the negative for us to continue with the current issue and
not follow the agenda.
Those in favor of proceeding to the orders of the day will please stand. Be seated.
Those opposed to proceeding to the orders of the day will please stand. Be seated.
There are fewer than two thirds in the negative, the meeting will proceed to the orders of the day
or
There are two thirds in the negative and the motion to proceed to the orders of the day is lost. The
motion before you is "Motion A".

RULES A CALL FOR THE ORDERS OF THE DAY:

Can interrupt the speaker

If the orders are going to be followed, it takes only one member to make this motion and no vote is needed.
If the group is going to deviate from the established agenda, a vote is needed. It takes two thirds in the negative to deviate from the established agenda.
SCRIPT: MOTION TO COMMIT OR REFER

"Motion A" is pending

Member:

Chair:
2nd member:
Chair:

I move to refer "Motion A" to the _______________ committee. [Can specify details like date the
committee is to report back. If it is to be referred to a special committee, you can tell size of committee
and give direction as to makeup of committee.]
Is there a second to the motion? [This statement is eliminated if a member calls out "second".]
I second the motion.
It is moved and seconded to refer "Motion A" to the _______________ committee. [Pause]
Is there any discussion?
[After discussion] The question is on the adoption of the motion that we refer "Motion A" to the
_______________ committee. Are you ready for the question? This motion requires a majority vote.
All those in favor, say aye. [Pause for response]
All those opposed, say no. The affirmative has it, the motion is adopted, "Motion A" is referred to the
_______________ committee.
or
The negative has it, the motion is lost and "Motion A" is not referred to the _______________
committee. The motion before you is "Motion A". Is there any further discussion?

Nancy Sylvester, All Rights Reserved

4826 River Bluff Court Loves Park, IL 61111
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FOR THE MOTION TO COMMIT OR REFER:

Needs a second
Is debatable
Is amendable
Needs a majority vote
SCRIPT: CALL FOR THE ORDERS OF THE DAY

"Motion A" is pending

Member:
Chair:

Chair:

I call for the orders of the day. [May add what was scheduled to come before the assembly at this
time.]
The orders of the day are called for.
[Proceed to what was scheduled for this time.]
or
It appears that the members wish to continue discussing the current issue and not call up the orders of
the day. We will take a vote. The question before you is "Will the assembly proceed to the orders of the
day?" This motion needs a two-thirds vote in the negative for us to continue with the current issue and
not follow the agenda.
Those in favor of proceeding to the orders of the day will please stand. Be seated.
Those opposed to proceeding to the orders of the day will please stand. Be seated.
There are fewer than two thirds in the negative, the meeting will proceed to the orders of the day
or
There are two thirds in the negative and the motion to proceed to the orders of the day is lost. The
motion before you is "Motion A".

RULES A CALL FOR THE ORDERS OF THE DAY:

Can interrupt the speaker

If the orders are going to be followed, it takes only one member to make this motion and no vote is needed.
If the group is going to deviate from the established agenda, a vote is needed. It takes two thirds in the negative to deviate from the established agenda.

Script of a Main Motion

Ever wonder how in the world presiding officers remember every step in the motion making process? While it's certainly the case that many
presiding officers have a complete understanding of parliamentary procedure and know exactly what to say in almost every circumstance, a lot of
presiding officers rely on what some might call "cheat sheets" but in the parliamentary world are called "scripts." That's right they read from a
prepared document which tells them exactly what they need to say and do for any particular motion. Here is a script of what you should say in
processing a main motion. It is meant to make you more comfortable in a meeting. Take it to meetings with you that you chair so you are prepared
to say it correctly!
Script: Main Motion
Member: I move that . . .
Chair: Is there a second to the motion? [This statement is eliminated if a member calls out "second" or if the motion is made on behalf of a
committee.]
Second member: I second the motion.
Chair: It is moved and seconded that [state the motion]. Is there any discussion? [Since the maker of the motion has first right to speak on the
motion, the chair should call on the maker of the motion first.]
[It is during this time that a motion is considered pending and secondary motions may be applied to it.]
[After discussion] Is there any further discussion? Are you ready for the question? [Pause] The question is on the adoption of the motion to [clearly
restate the motion].
Voice vote:
Those in favor, say aye. [Pause for response]
Those opposed, say no. [If the chair is in doubt of the results of a voice vote, the chair should state "The chair is in doubt, therefore a rising (or
counted) vote will be taken." Then proceed with a rising or counted vote.]

Show of hands vote:

Those in favor of the motion, please raise your hand. [Pause] Please lower your hand. Those opposed to the motion, please raise your hand.
[Pause] Please lower your hand.
Rising vote:
Those in favor of the motion, please stand. [Pause] Please be seated. Those opposed to the motion, please stand. [Pause] Please be seated.
Ballot vote:
Please mark your ballots clearly, fold them one time, and hand them directly to a teller.

Roll call vote:

The clerk will now call the roll.
Chair: [Announces the voting results]
Uncounted voice, rising, or show of hands vote:
The affirmative has it, the motion is adopted, we will [state the effect of the vote] and the next business in order is . . .
or
The negative has it, the motion is lost and [state the effect of the vote]and the next business in order is . . .
Counted majority vote:
There are _____ votes in the affirmative and _____ votes in the negative. There is a majority in the affirmative and the motion is adopted. We will
[state the effect of the vote] and the next business in order is . . .
or
There are _____ votes in the affirmative and _____ votes in the negative. There is less than a majority in the affirmative and the motion is lost
[state the effect of the vote] and the next business in order is . . .
Counted two-thirds vote:
There are _____ votes in the affirmative and _____ votes in the negative. There is a two-thirds vote in the affirmative and the motion is adopted.
We will [state the effect of the vote] and the next business in order is . . .
or

There are _____ votes in the affirmative and _____ votes in the negative. There is less than a two-thirds vote in the affirmative and the motion is
lost [state the effect of the vote] and the next business in order is . . .
________________________________________________________________
Rules for a Main Motion:

Needs a second

Is debatable

Is amendable

Needs a majority vote

SCRIPT: QUESTION OF PRIVILEGEMOTION

"Motion A" is pending
Member:
Chair:
Member:
Chair:

I rise to a question of privilege.

State your question of privilege.
[States Question of Privilege]
[If the question is raised in the form of a motion and is urgent] The chair rules that the question is one
of privilege is to be entertained immediately.
Is there a second?
It is moved and seconded that ________________________
The question is on the adoption of the motion that ________________________________________.
This motion requires a majority vote.
All those in favor, say aye. [Pause for response]
All those opposed, say no.
The affirmative has it, the motion is adopted, and ______________________________(effect of the
motion). [After processing the motion, the chair states: The motion before you is "Motion A". Is there
any further discussion?]
or
The negative has it, the motion is lost and _______________________________(effect of the motion).
The motion before you is "Motion A". Is there any further discussion?
RULESFOR A QUESTION OF PRIVILEGEMOTION:

Can interrupt the speaker, if deemed appropriate to do so

Needs a second
Is not debatable on whether or not to admit the question. But once the motion has been made and is pending, it is debatable.
Is amendable
Needs a majority vote

SCRIPT: PREVIOUS QUESTION

"Motion A" is pending
Member:
Chair:
2nd member:
Chair:

I move the previous question [or "I move that we close debate," or simply "Question."
Is there a second?
Second.
The previous question is moved and seconded on "Motion A". This is not a debatable motion. It takes a
two-thirds vote. The effect of the passage of this motion is that we would immediately stop debate and
vote on the motion. If you want to close debate, vote in favor of the motion; if you want debate to
continue, vote against the motion.
All those in favor of the previous question (closing debate), please rise. [Pause] You may be seated.
Those opposed to the motion, please rise. [Pause] You may be seated.
If two-thirds vote in favor of the motion:
There are two-thirds in the affirmative and the motion is adopted. The previous question has been
ordered. We will now move to the vote on Motion A.
or
There are less than two-thirds in the affirmative and the motion is lost. The previous question has not
been ordered. We will continue to discuss the motion Motion A.
RULESFOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION MOTION:

Needs a second

Is not debatable

Is not amendable

Needs a two-thirds vote

Unique form: I move the previous question on this and all pending motions
Effect: Go immediately to the vote on this motion, and then immediately to the vote on the each of the pending motions.
Script: Point of Order
Member:
Chair:
Member:
Chair:

Point of Order!
The chair recognizes __________________. State your Point of Order.
[States Point of Order]
[If the chair agrees with the Point of Order]
The chair rules that the Point of Order is well taken. The reason for the chair's ruling is that . . . [state here
your reason for the ruling and the effect of the ruling].
[If the chair disagrees with the Point of Order]
The chair rules that the Point of Order is not well taken. The reason for the chair's ruling is that . . . [state here
your reason for the ruling and the effect of the ruling].
[If you choose, you can end your ruling with a reminder that if the member does not agree with the ruling of
the chair, that member is free to make the motion to Appeal from the Decision of the Chair.]
SCRIPT: MOTION TO RECONSIDER
Member:
Chair:

I move to Reconsider the vote on _________________.

The motion to Reconsider can be made only by a member who voted on the
prevailing side. That motion [passed/failed]. Therefore, you needed to have voted
[in favor/against] the motion. Is that how you voted?
Is there a second to the motion?

Second
Member:
Chair:

Second.
It is moved and seconded to Reconsider the vote on _______________.
The question is: shall the motion be Reconsidered?
[If the motion is debatable] Is there any discussion?
[After discussion] Are you ready for the question? [Pause]
[If the motion is undebatable]
We will now go to the vote. The question is: shall the motion to
___________________ be Reconsidered?
Those in favor, say aye. [Pause for response]
Those opposed, say no.
The affirmative has it, the motion is adopted, and the motion is reconsidered.
Themotion on the floor and open for discussion at this time is
____________________________________.
[Proceed with discussion and the vote on the motion that is reconsidered.]
or

The negative has it, the motion is lost, and we will not reconsider the motion.
Therefore, the original decision made by the members on this motion stands.
[Repeat the original motion and the original vote.]
The next business in order is . . .
RULES FOR THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER:

Is debatable only if the motion being reconsidered is debatable.

Is not amendable.
Needs a majority vote.
Can only be made by a person who voted on the prevailing side.
Can be moved only on the same or the next succeeding day after the original vote was
taken.
Vote needed: Majority

SCRIPT: MOTION TO RECESS

"Motion A" is pending
Member:
Chair:
2nd Member:
Chair:

I move to recess for 10 minutes.

Is there a second to the motion? [This statement is eliminated if a member calls out "second".]
I second the motion.
It is moved and seconded that we recess for 10 minutes. Are you ready for the question? [Pause]
The question is on the adoption of the motion that we recess for 10 minutes. This motion requires a
majority vote.
All those in favor, say aye. [Pause for response]
All those opposed, say no.
The affirmative has it, the motion is adopted, we will recess for 10 minutes. When we return from
recess the motion before you will be "Motion A". We are in recess.
or
The negative has it, the motion is defeated and we will not take a recess. The motion before you is
"Motion A". Is there any further discussion?
RULESFOR THE MOTION TO RECESS:

Needs a second
Is not debatable
Is amendable (only as to the length of the recess, and that amendment is not debatable)
Needs a majority vote
SCRIPT: MOTION TO APPEAL FROM THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR

Member:
Chair:
2nd member:
Chair:

Chair:

I appeal from the decision of the chair.

Is there a second to the motion? [This statement is eliminated if a member calls out "second".]
I second the motion.
It is moved and seconded to appeal the decision of the chair that . . .
The question is: Shall the decision of the chair be sustained? The debate rules on this motion are a little
different, let the chair explain. First, the chair has the opportunity to explain the decision of the chair
that is being appealed. Then members may speak, but each member is limited to one chance to speak
on this motion, not two. Then, at the end of discussion, the chair is again allowed to explain. Then the
motion will be put to a vote.
The reason for the chair's decision is that . . .
Is there any discussion? [Pause]
We will now vote on the motion to appeal from the decision of the chair. This motion needs a majority
vote.
All those in favor of sustaining the chair's decision, please say "Aye". [Pause] All those opposed to
sustaining this decision, say "No". [Tie vote sustains the decision of the chair.]
The affirmative has it. The motion to sustain the decision of the chair passes. You have agreed with the
decision of the chair and that decision will now go into effect.
Or
The negative has it. The motion to sustain the decision of the chair fails. You have not agreed with the
decision of the chair and that decision has been overturned. We will now continue with . . .

RULES FOR THE MOTION TO APPEAL FROM THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR:

Needs a second
Is debatable unless it is made when the immediately pending question (motion) is undebatable. In debate, no member is allowed to speak more than one
time, except the presiding officer who may speak two times and does not need to vacate the chair when speaking.
Is not amendable
Needs a majority vote in the negative to reverse the decision of the chair. Therefore, a tie vote sustains the decision of the chair.

"Motion A" is pending

Member:
Chair:
2nd member:
Chair:

I move to amend "Motion A" by [inserting; striking out; striking out and inserting] as follows
______________________________________.
Is there a second to the motion? [This statement is eliminated if a member calls out "second".]
I second the motion.
It is moved and seconded that we amend "Motion A" by [inserting; striking out; striking out and
inserting] as follows __________________________. If the amendment is adopted the main motion
would then read _______________________________________.
Is there any discussion?
[After discussion] Are you ready for the question? [Pause]
The question is on the adoption of the motion that we amend "Motion A" by [inserting; striking out;
striking out and inserting; or substituting] as follows __________________________. If the
amendment is adopted, the main motion would then read
_______________________________________.
All those in favor, say aye. [Pause for response]
All those opposed, say no.
The affirmative has it, the Motion Ais amended and now reads
___________________________________________. Is there any discussion on Motion A as
amended?
or
The negative has it, the motion is lost and "Motion A" is not amended. The motion before you is
"Motion A". Is there any further discussion?

SCRIPT: MOTION TO AMEND

RULES FOR THE MOTION TO AMEND:

Needs a se