Introduction to Motions

Welcome to our topic which is the Introduction to motions! This is to acquaint you into the world of motions and their nuances. As future parliamentarians, you must be well-versed with all the various motions and their intricacies as well as characteristics. This introduction to motions topic will be your stepping stone as you enter this colorful and challenging realm. Hence, hang on and together, we will achieve mastery of this topic one motion at a time. Enjoy!

Intended learning outcomes

By the completion of this lesson, the students would be able to:

1. Understand the nature and characteristics of motions;
2. Identify steps involved with presenting a motion;
3. Know how to introduce and dispose motions in a Parliamentary meeting.

What is a motion?

A motion is the procedure required by parliamentary law for the transaction of business in a deliberative assembly. It is a formal way to bring an idea, proposal, or plan of action before a group. It is part of an orderly way to conduct business using parliamentary procedure. It is a method which calls for discussion and action on a certain agenda by the group or organization.

A motion is identified by the prefatory  phrase, “I move that…” which is equivalent to saying, “I propose that…” Hence, a member who moves “that the organization hold an acquaintance party” or that a motion be amended, laid on the table, postponed indefinitely, and so on, wants the organization to do such things (moves).

Motion vs Resolution

• A motion is a formal way to bring an idea, proposal, or plan of action before a group.
• A resolution is a motion made or presented in written form.

Introduction to motions

As future parliamentarians, your weapon is the “motion.” Your expertise in wielding this weapon will spell your success or doom. As your most potent weapon, arm and ammunition, you need to  acquire a considerable degree of mastery of this tool. After all, a member who wants the organization to do something makes or introduces what we call, a motion.

First, you need to know how to introduce a motion. The following steps illustrate how:

1. Obtaining the floor. The member must address the Chair, “Mr./Madam Chairman,” to gain recognition or permission to obtain the floor. In some cases and motions, the member just raises and obtain the floor due to the nature of urgency of the motion being raised.
2. Recognition by the Chair. The member must be recognized by the Chair,  “Yes, John” or “You now have the floor Mr./Madam Speaker.”
3. Presenting the motion. The member may now present a motion by saying, “I move that the organization initiate an income generating project…”
4. Seconding the motion. The motion is then seconded by the other members of the organization by saying, “I second the motion”, “I second,” “Seconded.” All motions must be seconded otherwise it will not thrive, be it one or few or all members. If there is no one who seconded at all, the Chair may ask for it by asking, “Is there any second?” However, the Chair, may just opt to kill the motion by saying, “Since the motion was not seconded, the motion is lost.”
5. Restatement of motion. After the motion has been seconded, the Chair then restates the motion by saying, “It has been moved and seconded that we initiate Income Generating Project.”
6. Discussion on the motion. A thorough discussion is then held on the merit of the presented motion. This is the beauty and essence of parliamentary law which calls for the free flow of ideas until the best idea be adopted for the benefit of the organization. During the debate, there are some rules to be followed such as:
   1. Obtaining permission first from the Chair before speaking;
   2. Observing the rules on debate and discussions; and
   3. Maintaining proper decorum all the time.
      1. Note: Some motions, due to their nature and characteristics, do not require discussions at all and thus, be disposed of in their required manner.
7. Voting on the motion. After a thorough discussion and deliberation on the presented motion, the Chair will now ask the assembly if they are ready to vote by saying, “If there are no more remarks on the motion that we will initiate IGP, are you ready for the question?”  The assembly then responds by saying, “Question!” A vote is then undertaken to determine who is in favor or who is opposed to the motion.“Those who are in favor of the motion please raise your right hand, (counts those who are in favor) …those who oppose please do the same,” (counts those who oppose).
8. Announcement of the result of the vote. After the voting has been done, the Chair will then declare the outcome of the vote by saying, “Majority voted in favor, so the motion is approved,” or “Majority voted against, so the motion is lost,” depending on the outcome of the vote.

So, those are the steps on how to introduce and handle introduced motions. As a bonafide member of TIP Parliamentarians, you must be able to introduce good motions for the benefit and welfare of your organization. Equally important is your ability, as a presiding officer, to handle and dispose motions presented by members of the organization.

Assignment

• In order to reinforce your understanding and before you demonstrate actual introduction and disposition of motions download this document by clicking here. Afterwards, print it. You need to complete the missing information and submit it on our next meeting. If you have questions and queries, you may click here and I will respond the soonest time I can. Enjoy learning!

References

• Orendain, Antonio. (1992). Parliamentary Rules 10th Edition. Quezon City: Alpha Omega Publications.
• Roberts, Henry. (2010). Robert’s Rules of Order 11th Edition. New York: American Legal Publishing.
• http://www.robertsrules.com