Participate in Meetings

An overview of motions and procedures

1. The president will ask “Do I have a motion to....” This invites a member to make the motion. Another will need to second the motion. For someone to make or second the motion, it does not imply consent or agreement only that discussion of the item is worth having. If there is no second, the motion dies.

2. A motion and a second is needed before discussion begins. When discussion completes, a member or the president can say, “I call the question.” This ends the discussion and calls for a vote. 

3. In more complicated debates, where someone introduces an amendment to the motion, it goes like this:

   • Original Motion is made and seconded, then debate ensues.

   • Someone makes a motion to make an amendment, “I make a motion to amend the original motion by adding/deleting _________.” Someone needs to second this motion to begin debate. Now, you are discussing the amendment. Once debate on the amendment is over. Call the question and vote. 

   • Now the original motion is perfected (if the amendment passed) or it is still the original motion (if the amendment did not pass). Continue debate on the original motion. Other amendments can be made and follow (b) above. Once all amendments have been voted on and debate on the original or perfected motion are over, then you can call the question and vote.

4. It is important the motion is clear to everyone before a vote. The president, then, should repeat the motion on the table and clarify what it means to vote in favor or oppose. The president then calls for a vote by asking all those in favor to state "aye," those who oppose  to state "nay," and those who abstain to state "abstain." 

Guidelines for making motions

While the Senate President facilitates the meeting, any Senator can introduce a motion

• • • to introduce something, say "I move that..." followed by your request

    • to request more information or ask a question, say "Point of Information"

    • to consider something out of scheduled or procedural order, say "I move to suspend the rules to..."

    • to send an item back to it's committee for further study or consideration, say "I move we ask the committee to..."

    • to amend a motion, say "I move to amend the motion to..."

      • insert or add (word/s)

      • strike (word/s)

      • strike (word/s) and Insert (word/s)

      • substitute (paragraph/s)

    • to postpone action or discussion, say "I move we postpone the matter until..."

    • to end action or discussion, say "I move to table the motion"

    • to resume action on a tabled item, say "I move we take from the table..."

    • to end debate, say "I move the previous question"

    • to address concerns about noise or temperature, say "Point of Privilege" followed by the concern

    • to object to procedure, say "Point of Order"

    • to challenge the ruling of the chair, say "I appeal the ruling of the chair"

Extending time for Discussion on Agenda Items

A senate member may move to add 5 minutes for discussion, approved by a majority vote; other times will be reduced to allow the meeting to end on schedule.

Review the Agenda and Meeting Overview Video, Extending Discussions, 11:10

Explore More: ASCCC Parliamentary Procedure, and Robert's Rules

Senate Bylaws include basic provisions of purpose, functions, and membership while Senate Rules offer details about how the Senate conduct business. 

For those among us who want to know the history, interpretations, and answers to frequently asked questions about parliamentarian processes, we share with you the Robert's Rules website.