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ROBERTS RULES CHEAT SHEET

To:
You say:
Interrupt
Speaker
Second
Needed
Debatable
Amendable
Vote
Needed
Adjourn
"I move that we adjourn"
No
Yes
No
No
Majority
Recess
"I move that we recess until…"
No
Yes
No
Yes
Majority
Complain about noise, room
temp., etc.
"Point of privilege"
Yes
No
No
No
Chair
Decides
Suspend further consideration of
something
"I move that we table it"
No
Yes
No
No
Majority
End debate
"I move the previous question"
No
Yes
No
No
2/3
Postpone consideration of
something
"I move we postpone this matter
until…"
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
Amend a motion
"I move that this motion be amended
by…"
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
Introduce business (a primary
motion)
"I move that…"
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
The above listed motions and points are listed in established order of precedence. When any one of them is pending, you may not introduce another that
is listed below, but you may introduce another that is listed above it.

To:
You say:
Interrupt
Speaker
Second
Needed
Debatable
Amendable
Vote Needed
Object to procedure or
personal affront
"Point of order"
Yes
No
No
No
Chair decides
Request information
"Point of information"
Yes
No
No
No
None
Ask for vote by actual count
to verify voice vote
"I call for a division of the house"
Must be done
before new
motion
No
No
No
None unless
someone
objects
Object to considering some
undiplomatic or improper
matter
"I object to consideration of this
question"
Yes
No
No
No
2/3
Take up matter previously
tabled
"I move we take from the table…"
Yes
Yes
No
No
Majority
Reconsider something
already disposed of
"I move we now (or later) reconsider
our action relative to…"
Yes
Yes
Only if original
motion was
debatable
No
Majority
Consider something out of its
scheduled order
"I move we suspend the rules and
consider…"
No
Yes
No
No
2/3
Vote on a ruling by the Chair
"I appeal the Chair’s decision"
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Majority
The motions, points and proposals listed above have no established order of preference; any of them may be introduced at any time except when meeting
is considering one of the top three matters listed from the first chart (Motion to Adjourn, Recess or Point of Privilege).

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PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING A MAIN MOTION


NOTE: Nothing goes to discussion without a motion being on the floor.

Obtaining and assigning the floor

A member raises hand when no one else has the floor
• The chair recognizes the member by name

How the Motion is Brought Before the Assembly

• The member makes the motion: I move that (or "to") ... and resumes his seat.
• Another member seconds the motion: I second the motion or I second it or second.
• The chair states the motion: It is moved and seconded that ... Are you ready for the
question?

Consideration of the Motion

1. Members can debate the motion.
2. Before speaking in debate, members obtain the floor.
3. The maker of the motion has first right to the floor if he claims it properly
4. Debate must be confined to the merits of the motion.
5. Debate can be closed only by order of the assembly (2/3 vote) or by the chair if no
one seeks the floor for further debate.

The chair puts the motion to a vote

1. The chair asks: Are you ready for the question? If no one rises to claim the floor, the
chair proceeds to take the vote.
2. The chair says: The question is on the adoption of the motion that ... As many as
are in favor, say ‘Aye’. (Pause for response.) Those opposed, say 'Nay'. (Pause for
response.) Those abstained please say ‘Aye’.

The chair announces the result of the vote.

1. The ayes have it, the motion carries, and ... (indicating the effect of the vote) or
2. The nays have it and the motion fails

WHEN DEBATING YOUR MOTIONS

1. Listen to the other side
2. Focus on issues, not personalities
3. Avoid questioning motives
4. Be polite
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HOW TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IN MEETINGS


MAIN MOTION

You want to propose a new idea or action for the group.
• After recognition, make a main motion.
• Member: "Madame Chairman, I move that _________."

AMENDING A MOTION

You want to change some of the wording that is being discussed.
• After recognition, "Madame Chairman, I move that the motion be amended by
adding the following words ________."
• After recognition, "Madame Chairman, I move that the motion be amended by
striking out the following words ________."
• After recognition, "Madame Chairman, I move that the motion be amended by
striking out the following words, _________, and adding in their place the following
words ________."

REFER TO A COMMITTEE

You feel that an idea or proposal being discussed needs more study and investigation.
• After recognition, "Madame Chairman, I move that the question be referred to a
committee made up of members Smith, Jones and Brown."

POSTPONE DEFINITELY

You want the membership to have more time to consider the question under discussion
and you want to postpone it to a definite time or day, and have it come up for further
consideration.
• After recognition, "Madame Chairman, I move to postpone the question until
________."

PREVIOUS QUESTION

You think discussion has gone on for too long and you want to stop discussion and vote.
• After recognition, "Madam President, I move the previous question."

LIMIT DEBATE

You think discussion is getting long, but you want to give a reasonable length of time for
consideration of the question.
• After recognition, "Madam President, I move to limit discussion to two minutes per
speaker."

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POSTPONE INDEFINITELY

You want to kill a motion that is being discussed.
• After recognition, "Madam Moderator, I move to postpone the question indefinitely."

POSTPONE INDEFINITELY

You are against a motion just proposed and want to learn who is for and who is against the
motion.
• After recognition, "Madame President, I move to postpone the motion indefinitely."

RECESS

You want to take a break for a while.
• After recognition, "Madame Moderator, I move to recess for ten minutes."

ADJOURNMENT

You want the meeting to end.
• After recognition, "Madame Chairman, I move to adjourn."

PERMISSION TO WITHDRAW A MOTION

You have made a motion and after discussion, are sorry you made it.
• After recognition, "Madam President, I ask permission to withdraw my motion."

CALL FOR ORDERS OF THE DAY

At the beginning of the meeting, the agenda was adopted. The chairman is not following
the order of the approved agenda.
• Without recognition, "Call for orders of the day."

SUSPENDING THE RULES

The agenda has been approved and as the meeting progressed, it became obvious that an
item you are interested in will not come up before adjournment.
• After recognition, "Madam Chairman, I move to suspend the rules and move item 5
to position 2."

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

The noise outside the meeting has become so great that you are having trouble hearing.
• Without recognition, "Point of personal privilege."
• Chairman: "State your point."
• Member: "There is too much noise, I can't hear."

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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

You are going to propose a question that is likely to be controversial and you feel that
some of the members will try to kill it by various maneuvers. Also you want to keep out
visitors and the press.
• After recognition, "Madame Chairman, I move that we go into a committee of the
whole."

POINT OF ORDER

It is obvious that the meeting is not following proper rules.
• Without recognition, "I rise to a point of order," or "Point of order."

POINT OF INFORMATION

You are wondering about some of the facts under discussion, such as the balance in the
treasury when expenditures are being discussed.
• Without recognition, "Point of information."

POINT OF PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY

You are confused about some of the parliamentary rules.
• Without recognition, "Point of parliamentary inquiry."

APPEAL FROM THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR

Without recognition, "I appeal from the decision of the chair."


Rule Classification and Requirements

Class of Rule
Requirements to Adopt
Requirements to Suspend
Charter
Adopted by majority vote or
as proved by law or
governing authority
Cannot be suspended
Bylaws
Adopted by membership
Cannot be suspended
Special Rules of Order
Previous notice & 2/3 vote,
or a majority of entire
membership
2/3 Vote
Standing Rules
Majority vote
Can be suspended for
session by majority vote
during a meeting
Modified Roberts Rules of
Order
Adopted in bylaws
2/3 vote