Subsidiary Motions

Motions that are used to handle the

Main Motion

Processing Motions

Main Motion

Purpose: To introduce new business before the assembly

Only one main motion can be presented at a time.

Using the 8 step process handle this motion: “I move to hold a steak dinner for all

Greenhands.”

Subsidiary Motions

8. Lay on the Table 7. Previous Questions 6. Limit or Extend limits of Debate 5. Postpone to a certain time 4. Refer to Committee 3. Amend 2. Postpone Indefinitely

2. Postpone Indefinitely

Purpose - To kill a main motion Second Required Not Amendable Debatable – Can go into merits of Main Motion Majority Vote required Can not interrupt speaker Only affirmative vote can be reconsidered Example: Mr President, “I move to Postpone this motion

indefinitely.” Can only be applied to Main Motion

3. Amendments

Purpose - Used to modify a motion Amendment to main motion is referred to as “Primary

Amendment”

Must be germane – (closely related to the original topic) Requires a second Amendable (Secondary Amendment) Debatable (When applied to Debatable motion) Majority Vote (Always, even when applied to a motion

requiring a 2/3 vote)

More Amendments

Can be amended in 4 ways Inserting in middle Adding to end Striking Out Striking out and inserting

Amendments continued

Can not interrupt another speaker Can be reconsidered Improper amendments

any thing not germane frivolous or absurd (dilatory) leave an incoherent wording to the main motion

Proper Example: Motion on floor: That the FFA Chapter buy a boat. Amendment: Mr. President, I move to amend the

motion by inserting speed in front of boat. So the motion would read, I move that the FFA Chapter buy a speed boat.

Amendment to an Amendment

Purpose - To modify an amendment to make it more specific Also called a “secondary amendment”

Requires a second Debatable Not amendable Majority vote “Always” Proper Example:

Madam President, “ I move to amend the amendment by inserting Johnson in front of speed. So the final motion with if all amendments pass would read, I move that the FFA chapter buy a Johnson speed boat.”

4. Refer to Committee

Purpose used to send a pending question to a small group so that the question may be carefully investigated

Cannot interrupt speaker Requires a Second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote

4. Refer to Committee Continued

President must specify when the committee should report back to the chapter Usually next regular meeting

Committee can be give “full power to act” (the right to make decisions for the assembly.)

Proper example: Mr. President, “I move that we refer this motion to the standing

Leadership Committee.” Mr. President, “I move we refer this motion to a committee of

three appointed by the chair, Joe being assigned as the chairman to report back at our next meeting.”

Some Rules of Committee

3 types of committees Committee of the Whole (Assembly follows rules of

committee) Standing Committee (one listed in the Program of Act.) Special Committee – (Also Called “Ad Hoc” committee)

Appointed by the president Number of members can be 3 or more

The committee may choose its own chair if it desires if the assembly does not appoint one.

Some Rules of Committee

The motion to refer should designate. 1. Who is on committee. 2. Matter referred to the committee. 3. Instructions from the assembly.

5. Postpone Definitely

Purpose - allow for the motion on the floor to deferred to a different day, meeting, or until after a certain event, or later in the same meeting

Requires a second Amendable Debatable Majority Vote Cannot interrupt a speaker

More Postpone to a Certain Time

Must include time, place when making the motion Cannot be postponed beyond the next meeting. Proper example:

Madam President, “I move to postpone this motion until the December Regular Meeting.”

If a motion is postponed to next meeting the motion is on the agenda under “general orders”

6. Limit or Extend Debate Purpose

To limit or lengthen the time allowed for discussion on a motion when it is clear that there will be an excessive amount of discussion or when the amount of time for the meeting is limited.

Requires a second NON Debatable Amendable - amount of time or number of speakers only

2/3 Majority Vote Can not interrupt another speaker

6. Limit / Extend Debate Continued

Maker of the motion must specify the amount of time or the number of speakers that can debate the motion

Proper Example Madam President, “I move that we limit debate on this

motion to 3 discussions for the motion and 3 discussions against the motion.”

Madam President, “I move to limit debate to a maximum of 5 minutes.”

7. Previous Question

Purpose -To end debate and call for an immediate vote on the motion

Requires a second Not amendable Not Debatable 2/3 Vote Can not interrupt another speaker

Previous Question

Proper example: Madam President, “I move the previous

question” Mr. President, “I call for the previous question”

Improper method calling out “question”

8. To lay on the table

Purpose - To set aside a motion for more urgent business

Requires a second Not amendable Not debatable Majority Vote Can not interrupt another speaker

Proper example: Mr. President, “I move to lay this motion on the

table so we can consider the motion to…” One item of business must be transacted

before it can be taken from the table. If the motion laid on the table is not taken

from the table by the end of the next meeting, it dies.

I move that we conduct a chapter science fair and submit

our winner in the state competition

Amend Postpone definitely Question of Privilege Parliamentary Inquiry Suspend the rules