Making a Motion

A Main Motion is a motion that brings business before the assembly. Main motions are in order only when no other business is pending. When a member wishes to introduce business via a main motion, it should be handled via the following steps.

1. The member gains recognition from the Chair, and states the motion
2. The Chair asks for a "second"
3. The Chair restates the motion to the assembly
4. The motion is debated (see Debate link)
5. Debate is ended (see End_Debate link)
6. A vote on the motion is taken (See Voting link)
7. The Chair announces the result of the vote

See the following annotated example of handling a Main Motion. The example used is a motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity.

Stating the Motion

Brother A raises his hand and is recognized by the Chair

Brother A: "I move that we donate $50 to XYZ Charity."

Seconding the Motion

Chair: "A motion has been made to donate $50 to XYZ Charity. Is there a second?"

Brother B: "I second the motion." (or simply 'second')

If No Second is Given

If the motion does not receive a second, then the motion is lost and cannot be debated or voted upon.

Chair: "Seeing no second to the motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity, we will move on to other business."

Restating the Motion

If the motion receives a second, the Chair restates the motion to bring it before the Assembly.

Chair: "A motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity has been made and seconded. We will now move to a period of debate on the motion.

The motion is now on the floor and the meeting will move into a period of debate.

Commonly Used Motions

Making an Amendment to a Motion

Amendments to a motion on the floor may be made if a brother would like to see a change in the original motion before it is passed. For example, if a motion has been made to "order a cake to celebrate Founders’ Day", a brother may wish to amend the motion such that it would read, "order a cake and ice cream to celebrate..."

While motions to amend are made during the debate phase of considering a motion, the amendment may not change the original intent of the motion. For example, using the above example that motion has been made to "order a cake to celebrate Founders’ Day," an amendment to the motion such that it would read, "order a cake to celebrate the President’s birthday" would change the intent of the motion because it changes the entire purpose for ordering the cake. (Interpretation of intent is the responsibility of the chair.)

Example of a Motion to Amend

Adjourning a Meeting

A motion to adjourn is made at the end of the meeting after all business has been conducted. It requires a majority of the Active members present in order to pass.

If the motion fails, it usually is because brothers have announcements or other items of business they feel must be addressed before the meeting is adjourned. After the motion fails, the floor remains open for any announcements or business that brothers wish to address. When it appears that all business has been completed, the Chair could then ask again for a motion to adjourn.

Example of a "motion to adjourn"