Robert's Rules of Order Motions Chart (Side 1)
Based on Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (11th Edition)
The motions below are listed in order of precedence. A motion can be introduced if it is higher on the chart than the pending motion.
YOU WANT:
YOU SAY:
INTERRUPT?
2ND? DEBATE? AMEND? VOTE?
21
Close meeting
I move to adjourn
No
Yes
No
No
Majority
20
Take break
I move to recess for ...
No
Yes
No
Yes
Majority
19
Register complaint
I rise to a question of privilege
Yes
No
No
No
None
18
Make follow agenda
I call for the orders of the day
Yes
No
No
No
None
17
Lay aside temporarily
I move to lay the question on
the table
No
Yes
No
No
Majority
16
Close debate
I move the previous question
No
Yes
No
No
2/3
15
Limit or extend debate
I move that debate be limited to ...
No
Yes
No
Yes
2/3
14
Postpone to a certain time
I move to postpone the motion to ...
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
13
Refer to committee
I move to refer the motion to ...
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
12
Modify wording of motion
I move to amend the motion by ...
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
11
Kill main motion
I move that the motion be
postponed indefinitely
No
Yes
Yes
No
Majority
10
Bring business before assembly
(a main motion)
I move that [or "to"] ...
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
Jim Slaughter, Certified Professional Parliamentarian/Professional Registered Parliamentarian
P.O. Box 41027, Greensboro NC 27404-1027
Phone: 336-378-1899
e-mail: jim@[Link]
web site: [Link]
(Side 2)
Incidental Motions - no order of precedence. Arise incidentally and are decided immediately.
YOU WANT:
YOU SAY:
INTERRUPT?
2ND?
DEBATE?
AMEND?
VOTE?
23
Enforce rules
Point of Order
Yes
No
No
No
None
24
Submit matter to
assembly
I appeal from the decision of the
chair
Yes
Yes
Varies
No
Majority
25
Suspend rules
I move to suspend the rules which
No
Yes
No
No
2/3
26
Avoid main motion
altogether
I object to the consideration of
the question
Yes
No
No
No
2/3
27
Divide motion
I move to divide the question
No
Yes
No
Yes
Majority
29
Demand a rising
vote
Parliamentary law
question
I call for Division
Yes
No
No
No
None
Parliamentary inquiry
Yes (if urgent)
No
No
No
None
Request for information
Yes (if urgent)
No
No
No
None
33
33
Request for
information
Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly - no order of precedence. Introduce only when nothing else is pending.
YOU WANT:
YOU SAY:
Take matter from table
I move to take
from the table ...
35
Cancel previous action
I move to rescind/
amend something
previously
adopted...
37
Reconsider motion
I move to reconsider
the vote...
34
INTERRUPT?
2ND?
DEBATE?
AMEND?
VOTE?
Yes
No
No
Majority
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
2/3 or
Majority with notice
No
Yes
Varies
No
Majority
No
