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
5. Debate is ended
6. A vote on the motion is taken
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.

Debating the Motion

It is customary to offer the maker of the motion the first chance to speak on the motion.

Chair: "Would the maker of the motion care to begin debate?"

Brother A: "Since the Chapter raised $50 more than expected at the bake sale, I think we should donate the funds to XYZ Charity, which benefits local schools."

Debate continues with a speaker offering a contrary opinion ("con") followed by another opinion of support ("pro") until debate is exhausted or ended by a motion. Members wishing to speak should raise their hands, and the Chair should recognize each Member in turn. It is often helpful to use hand signals to communicate whether the Member wishes to debate in the pro or the con. Often, an open hand is interpreted to mean "pro" and a closed hand is interpreted to mean "con."

Ending Debate

Debate may be ended in one of several ways

Debate is Exhausted

If a motion is not very controversial, the Membership may not wish to offer much debate. If the Chair realizes that no further debate is forthcoming, he/she should bring the period of debate to a close.

Chair: "If there is no further debate on this motion, we will now close debate."

The Chair should pause to ensure that no Members wish to speak further on the pending motion, before putting the question.

Debate is Ended by a Motion to Previous Question

A Member who feels that debate on a motion has gone on long enough may make a Motion to Previous Question. If the Motion to Previous Question is carried, debate is closed. For more information on the Motion to Previous Question, see the full article.

Putting the Question

When debate is ended, the motion is restated again by the Chair, who leads the Assembly in voting on the motion.

Chair: "Debate is closed. We will now vote on the motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity."

The Chair calls for votes for and against the vote in turn. The Chair may use discretion in which method of voting to employ, based on his/her observation of the debate on the motion. If the Assembly is not strongly divided, a voice vote is appropriate. A rising vote (show of hands) may be used if many points of debate were raised both in the pro and in the con on the motion.

Voting by Voice

Chair: "All those in favor of donating $50 to XYZ Charity, please say 'aye'"
Members in Favor: "Aye."
Chair: "All those opposed to donating $50 to XYZ Charity, please say 'nay'"
Members in Opposition: "Nay."

Rising Vote

The Chair asks Members in favor to to rise (or raise hands) and makes a count, then asks Members opposed to rise (or raise hands) and makes a count.'

(for information about other types of voting, see Voting.)

Abstentions are never called for, since they can be determined mathematically.

Announcing the Result

The Chair announces the result of the vote according to the method of voting employed."

Voting by Voice

Chair: "It is the opinion of the Chair that the motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity has passed/failed (alternatively 'been carried'/'been lost')."

Rising Vote

Chair: "The motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity has been carried by a vote of 10-2 (or 'been lost by a vote of 3 members for the motion and 7 against')."