Parliamentary Procedure

A Clear Guide

Based on the Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure (Alice Sturgis)

This guide explains how parliamentary procedure works in meetings. It covers the most common motions, what you say to introduce them, and the rules that apply to each one. The information is organized into two main categories: Principal Motions and Incidental Motions. For each motion, you will learn whether you can interrupt the speaker, whether you need a second, whether the motion can be debated, whether it can be amended, and what vote is required to pass it.

Principal Motions

Principal motions are the main actions you can take during a meeting. They help you conduct business, manage discussion, and make decisions.

Adjourn the meeting — You say, “I move that we adjourn.” You may not interrupt the speaker. The motion must be seconded. It is not debatable if another motion is pending. It can be amended. A majority vote is required.
Recess the meeting — You say, “I move that we recess until…” You may not interrupt the speaker. The motion must be seconded. It is not debatable if another motion is pending. It can be amended. A majority vote is required.
Complain about noise, room temperature, etc. — You say, “Question of privilege.” You may interrupt the speaker. No second is needed. It is not debatable and not amendable. No vote is required.
Suspend consideration temporarily (table a motion) — You say, “I move that this motion be tabled.” You may not interrupt the speaker. The motion must be seconded. It is not debatable and not amendable. A majority vote is required, or two-thirds if used to suppress the motion.
End debate — You say, “I move to vote immediately” or “I move to close debate.” You may not interrupt the speaker. The motion must be seconded. It is not debatable and not amendable. A two-thirds vote is required.
Limit or extend debate — You say, “I move that debate be limited to…” You may not interrupt the speaker. The motion must be seconded. It is debatable but only in a limited way. It can be amended. A two-thirds vote is required.
Postpone to a certain time — You say, “I move we postpone consideration of this item until…” You may not interrupt the speaker. The motion must be seconded. It is debatable but only in a limited way. It can be amended. A majority vote is required.
Have something sent to a committee — You say, “I move we refer this matter to…” (a board, committee, etc.). You may not interrupt the speaker. The motion must be seconded. It is debatable but only in a limited way. It can be amended. A majority vote is required.
Amend a motion — You say, “I move to amend the motion by…” You may not interrupt the speaker. The motion must be seconded. It is debatable and amendable. A majority vote is required.
Introduce business — You say, “I move that…” You may not interrupt the speaker. The motion must be seconded. It is debatable and amendable. A majority vote is required.

Incidental and Other Motions

Incidental motions deal with questions of procedure, rules, and the rights of members. They are often urgent and may allow you to interrupt the speaker.

Enforce the rules — You say, “Point of order.” You may interrupt the speaker. No second is needed. It is not debatable and not amendable. No vote is required.
Challenge a ruling by the Chair — You say, “I appeal the decision of the chair.” You may interrupt the speaker. The motion must be seconded. It is debatable but not amendable. A majority vote is required.
Suspend rules — You say, “I move to suspend the rules to…” You may not interrupt the speaker. The motion must be seconded. It is not debatable and not amendable. A two-thirds vote is required.
Remove your motion from consideration — You say, “I withdraw my motion.” You may interrupt the speaker. No second is needed. It is not debatable and not amendable. A majority vote is required if there is an objection.
Separate a multi-part proposal into separate proposals — You say, “I move to divide the question.” You may not interrupt the speaker. No second is needed. It is not debatable and not amendable. No vote is required.
Demand a standing vote — You say, “I call for a division.” You may interrupt the speaker. No second is needed. It is not debatable and not amendable. No vote is required.
Ask a question relating to procedure — You say, “I have a Parliamentary inquiry regarding…” You may interrupt the speaker if the matter is urgent. No second is needed. It is not debatable and not amendable. No vote is required.

How to Use This Guide

Identify your goal: Find the action you want to take.
Say the exact words: Use the suggested phrase for that motion.
Check the rules: Review whether you can interrupt, need a second, can debate, can amend, and what vote is needed.
Follow the Chair’s direction: The Chair will guide the process and make sure the rules are followed.

Quick Tips

Majority usually means more than half of the votes cast.
Two-thirds is a higher threshold, often used when limiting rights or ending debate.
Not debatable means no discussion is allowed before the vote.
Amendable means the motion can be changed by adding, removing, or modifying words.
Interrupt the speaker is only allowed for urgent or procedural matters, such as a Point of Order, Question of Privilege, or Appeal.
Second means another member must support your motion before it can be considered.

Example Scenario

If you want to stop debate and vote right away, you would say, “I move to vote immediately” or “I move to close debate.” You may not interrupt the speaker. The motion must be seconded. It is not debatable and not amendable. A two-thirds vote is required. The Chair will ask for a second, then immediately take a vote. If two-thirds agree, debate ends and the meeting moves to a vote on the main motion.

Parliamentary Procedure: Motion Tables

Principal Motions
Motion and what you say	Interrupt speaker?	Second needed?	Debatable?	Amendable?	Vote required
Adjourn the meeting“I move that we adjourn.”	No	Yes	Not if another motion is pending	Yes	Majority
Recess the meeting“I move that we recess until…”	No	Yes	Not if another motion is pending	Yes	Majority
Complain about noise, room temperature, etc.“Question of privilege.”	Yes	No	No	No	None required
Suspend consideration temporarily (table a motion)“I move that this motion be tabled.”	No	Yes	No	No	Majority (two-thirds if used to suppress the motion)
End debate“I move to vote immediately” or “I move to close debate.”	No	Yes	No	No	Two-thirds
Limit or extend debate“I move that debate be limited to…”	No	Yes	Yes, but limited	Yes	Two-thirds
Postpone to a certain time“I move we postpone consideration of this item until…”	No	Yes	Yes, but limited	Yes	Majority
Have something sent to a committee“I move we refer this matter to…” (a board, committee, etc.)	No	Yes	Yes, but limited	Yes	Majority
Amend a motion“I move to amend the motion by…”	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Majority
Introduce business“I move that…”	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Majority

Incidental and Other Motions
Motion and what you say	Interrupt speaker?	Second needed?	Debatable?	Amendable?	Vote required
Enforce the rules“Point of order.”	Yes	No	No	No	None required
Challenge a ruling by the Chair“I appeal the decision of the chair.”	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Majority
Suspend rules“I move to suspend the rules to…”	No	Yes	No	No	Two-thirds
Remove your motion from consideration“I withdraw my motion.”	Yes	No	No	No	Majority, only if there is an objection
Separate a multi-part proposal into separate proposals“I move to divide the question.”	No	No	No	No	None required
Demand a standing vote“I call for a division.”	Yes	No	No	No	None required
Ask a question relating to procedure“I have a parliamentary inquiry regarding…”	Only if urgent	No	No	No	None required