Purpose and Rules of Motions

Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn

• Sets a time for the continuation of the present meeting

• Ends the meeting

• Sets a time to end the meeting

Adjourn

• Sets a time for the continuation of the present meeting

• Starts a new meeting

• Allows the assembly to take a short break

• Ends the meeting

Recess

• Ends the meeting

• Provides a short break when business is pending which

  does not close the meeting

• Sets a time for the continuation of the present meeting

• Sets the time to end the meeting

Raise a Question of Privilege

• Obtains information about parliamentary law or

  rules relating to the business at hand

• Enforces the rules of the organization

• Permits urgent requests related to the rights and privileges affecting the assembly

• Secures a ruling of the group, and not the presiding officer

Call for the Orders of the Day

• Secures adherence to the order of business (the agenda)

• Demands that the order of the agenda be changed

• Cancels a previous action or order

Lay on the Table

• Defers action on a pending motion to a definite time

• Brings back a motion that has been laid on the table

• Sets a motion aside for more urgent business

• Rejects (or kills) a main motion without bringing it to a vote

Previous Question

• Lengthens or shortens the debating time

• Closes debate and the making of subsidiary motions (except to Lay on the Table)

• Brings back a motion that has already been voted on

Limit or Extend Limits of Debate

• Closes debate and the making of subsidiary motions

• Modifies the wording of a pending motion before action is take

• Lengthens or shortens the debating time

5 Postpone to a Certain Time (or Definitely)

• Rejects (or kills) a main motion without bringing it to a vote

• Defers action on a pending motion to a definite time

• Sets a motion aside for more urgent business

Commit or Refer

• Sets a motion aside for more urgent business

• Places business in the hands of a committee

• Provides a short break when business is pending which

  does not close the meeting

• Modifies the wording of a pending motion before action is taken