The following outlines the structure of a typical meeting:

1. Call to order

2. Public Comment

   • Open to any member of the public to address the body that can be related to the agenda, but is not required to be agenda

3. Roll Call of members present (voting member to respond)

4. Reading/Approving minutes of last meeting

   • Chair will ask if there are any additions or changes to minutes

   • Followed by vote to approve minutes

5. Reports

   • Any updates that do not need votes

6. Old Business

   • Important business previously planned for discussion at the current meeting

   • Can include motions to vote

7. New Business

   • Any new business or resolutions before the body that requires a vote.

8. Announcements

   • Announcements from the body, motions to vote may not be made

9. Adjournment

   • The Chair will seek a motion for adjournment

Main Motions

• • Introduces items to the membership for their consideration

  • They cannot be made when any other motion is on the floor

Subsidiary Motions

• • Change or affect how a main motion is handled, and is voted on before a main motion

Privileged Motions

• • Bring up items that are urgent about special or important matters unrelated to pending business

Incidental Motions

• • Provide a means of questioning procedure concerning other motions and must be considered before the other motion

Motion to Table

• • Used in the attempt to "end" a motion.

Motion to Postpone

• • This is often used as a means of parliamentary strategy and allows opponents of motion to test their strength without an actual vote being taken

  • Also, debate is once again open on the main motion

Motions are made by

1. Obtaining the floor

   • Wait until the last speaker has finished

   • Address the Chair

   • Wait until the Chair recognizes you

2. Make your motion using "I move to..." or "Motion to..."

3. Wait for someone to second your motion

   • Another member can second your motion or the Chair will call for a second

   • If there is no second to your motion, it is lost

4. Chair calls for discussion

   • Person who made motion has first speaking rights

   • Person who seconded has second speaking rights

   • Chairs opens discussion to the body

5. Chair calls for a vote