Almost 150 years ago, in 1876, US army officer Henry Martyn Robert created Robert’s Rules to help churches and organisations run their meetings fairly. The rules were inspired by the senate procedure at the time. The fundamentals of the rules were to:
- Give all members an equal opportunity to have their voices heard.
- Use the majority rule.
- Protect the rights of all members.
Today, Robert’s Rules (which has since undergone many updates and new editions based on usage, feedback and modernisation) is the most widely used set of rules for parliamentary procedure in the US. As such, it’s also been adopted globally for school PTA meetings, board meetings and non-profit businesses alike. The latest edition is Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised – also known as RONR – which was published in September 2020.
One of the main elements of running meetings in this way is the use of motions – a critical part of almost any meeting. So, what are motions in Robert’s Rules of Order and how can we make sure they are presented and voted on fairly?
What do motions mean?
A motion is a proposal by a member of the group. It’s a statement that describes an action or a decision. It’s how decisions are made among the committee.
Some of the basic rules for using motions in Robert’s Rules of Order are:
- Positive (action) motions are permitted, not negative.
- Only one person should speak at a time.
- You cannot raise another motion until all other motions are settled or adjourned – one motion must be discussed at a time.
- All members have equal rights to be heard when discussing a motion.
Instead of saying “I think we should do this”, which you may do in an informal meeting, motions need to be presented by saying “I move”. Negative motions aren’t allowed according to RONR, so you can’t say “I think we should NOT do this” or “I move that we don’t”, but you could say “I move that we hire an in-house marketing team”, for example, because it is a positive motion.
Once a motion is shared, it must be seconded by another member to move forward: “I second this motion”. This process ensures that all decisions in the common interest are discussed, all member feedback is heard and then the motion can be passed (or not) by a majority vote of the quorum. If no one seconds a motion, it shows that there is no one else in the organisation who wants to see the motion debated and discussed.
Types of motions
Let’s take a look at what types of motions there are and how to present each of them.
Main motion
The most important form of motion is the main motion. According to RONR, the main motion, or a principal motion, is “a motion made to bring before the assembly, for its consideration, on any particular subject…It takes precedence of nothing…and it yields to all privileged, incidental, and subsidiary motions”. At their core, main motions are the bigger questions that need to be updated. But, despite their name, they’re not untouchable – they can be altered by other forms of motions, such as subsidiary motions.
Subsidiary motions
Subsidiary motions are motions that affect the main motion – they need to be dealt with prior to the vote on the main motion. Below are the subsidiary motion options, starting with the highest in precedence to the lowest.
Postpone indefinitely
To “kill” a motion. This allows you to stop any conversation around the main motion and to stop the vote on it. Technically, it’s not postponed; the consideration of it is cancelled altogether.
Amend
To change or alter the main motion before voting on it.
Refer to a committee
To send the main motion and any pending subsidiary motions to a committee for consideration.
Postpone
Including postponing definitely, or postponing to a different time, to delay the consideration of the main motion and any pending subsidiary motions.
Limit or extend limits of debate
To alter the limitations on the number or length of speeches, after rules have previously been adopted. Generally speaking, this is two minutes for each person to discuss their perspective on the debate.
Previous question
To stop the debate and vote now.
Lay on the table
To end consideration of the main motion and any pending subsidiary motions, allowing for urgent business to be considered.
Privileged motions
A privileged motion is often something with great importance or urgency. These motions aren’t debatable. Let’s look at the types of privileged motion and how to ask for them under RONR. Some of these are also known as “stating a point” and don’t need to be seconded.
| What do you want to do | When to use it | What to say | Second needed? |
| Ask for the conditions to be changed (a point of personal privilege) | Welfare-related: It’s too loud, too hot, too cold or uncomfortable | “Point of personal privilege” | No |
| Enforce the rules (a point of order) | A member of the assembly is breaking the rules, procedures or processes | “Point of order” | No |
| You need more information or have information to share with the assembly (point of information) | You need to share additional information to help the assembly make a fully informed decision before voting | “Point of information” | No |
| Ask a question (a point of inquiry) | A motion to ask a question for clarity | “Point of inquiry” | No |
| Enforce the agenda | A member of the assembly (or the assembly as a whole) is discussing something unrelated to the main motion | “I call for the orders of the day” | No |
| Recess or take a break | You need to take a short break before returning | “I move to recess [for X minutes]” | Yes |
| End the meeting (adjourn) | It’s time to end the meeting or it has overrun | “I move to adjourn” | Yes |
| Amend a motion | Alter or change a motion before it’s voted on | “I move that this motion be amended by…” | Yes |
Incidental motions
Incidental motions are used as “housekeeping”. They take precedence over main motions, subsidiary motions and any pending question. The Newly Revised Robert’s Rules mention the following permissible incidental motions – these are undebatable motions.
- Point of order (pointing out a breach in assembly rules).
- Appeal the decision of the chair (disagreeing with the chair’s ruling).
- Request permission to withdraw or change a motion before taking a vote.
- Division of the assembly (doubting the result of a vote).
- Suspend the rules (temporarily set aside the rules of the assembly).
The steps in presenting a motion
Now we know the motions available and how to present them, let’s review the steps needed under Robert’s Rules.
1. A member obtains the floor and makes a motion
Once the member has risen, addressed the chair and been recognised by the chair, they take the floor: “I move that we hire an in-house marketing team”.
2. Another member seconds the motion
Next, another member seconds the motion, as it’s a main motion. They don’t need to be recognised by the chair or take the floor for this: “I second the motion”.
3. The chair states the motion
The chair says: “It is moved and seconded that the organisation will hire an in-house marketing team. Is there any further debate?”. This step is important, as unanimous consent can be taken at this point if it’s something the majority of the assembly already agrees on.
4. Members debate the motion
The chair then recognises those who want to debate and express their opinions. As covered by Robert’s Rules, all members of the assembly have an equal right to be heard, although they don’t have to speak if they don't want to. Generally, there is a time limit of about two minutes for each member to speak when debating or discussing. The chair will preside over this and implement any rules as needed throughout.
5. The chair puts the motion to a vote
Once everyone who wants to has spoken, the chair asks: “Are you ready for the question?”.
The chair restates the motion: “The question is on the motion to hire an in-house marketing team. Those in favour of the motion say ‘aye’, those opposed say ‘no’”.
6. The chair announces the results of the vote and what will happen with the motion
The chair counts the vote and the motion carries. The chairperson will either say: “The ‘ayes’ (or affirmative votes) have it, and the motion is adopted. We will hire an in-house marketing team”, or “The ‘naes’ (or negative votes) have it, and the motion has not passed. Therefore, we will not hire an in-house marketing team”.
Tips for using RONR motions
The following summary will help you determine when to use the actions described in Robert's Rules and how to do so.
- A main motion must be moved, seconded and stated by the chair before it can be discussed: “I move that…”.
- If you want to move, second or speak to a motion, stand and address the chair: “I second the motion”.
- If you approve the motion as is, vote for it: “Aye”.
- If you disapprove of the motion, vote against it: “No/nae”.
- If you approve the idea of the motion but want to change it or amend it: “I move that this motion be amended by…”.
- If you want advice or information to help you make your decision, move to refer the motion to a committee with instructions to report back: “I move to refer the motion to a committee of three to be appointed by the chairperson”.
- If you want time to think the motion over, move that consideration be deferred to a certain time: “I move we postpone this matter until…".
- If you think that the assembly should give further consideration to a matter already voted upon, move that it be reconsidered: "I move we now reconsider our action relative to…".
- If you do not agree with a decision rendered by the chair, appeal the decision to the assembly: "I appeal the chair’s decision".
- If you think that a matter introduced is irrelevant to the matter at hand, a point of order may be raised: “Point of order”.
FAQs
What happens if no one seconds a motion?
If no one seconds a motion, it can be reintroduced another time. If a motion requires a second but didn’t receive one and was still discussed or voted on, it’s too late to object or rescind the vote based on that.
Yes. Don’t forget that the chairperson is a member of the assembly and has a right to make a motion, second a motion, debate a motion or vote on a motion. However, ideally, the chairperson is an impartial figure. So while they can do those things, they shouldn’t. In cases of a split vote, the chairperson may exercise a casting vote to decide on a motion (if the organisation’s bylaws allow for this).
How do you write motions in meeting minutes?
Meeting minutes shouldn’t include detailed notes on who said what in each of the debates. Instead, include the top-line details:
- Who was the motion moved by (don’t worry about who seconded it).
- Did the motion carry or fail.
- The number of votes for and against.
- What method of voting was used.
Main motion: Moved by [name]. The motion [carried or failed] with [number] in favour and [number] against by a ballot vote.
Conclusion
While Robert’s Rules of Order motions can seem like a minefield to navigate, we hope this guide with examples can help your meetings run more smoothly. Remember that one of the fundamentals of Robert’s Rules is to give everyone the opportunity to be heard equally, so don’t be afraid to speak up as needed.
Still not sure where to start? iBabs can help. Board meeting management software can make minute taking, document sharing and notes easier to collaborate on and manage within your organisation. Get started with a free product demo today to see how you can save time using iBabs’ board portal.
References and further reading
- Robert’s Rules of Order: Newly Revised (RONR)
- Robert’s Rules of Order: Simplified Beginner’s Guide
- Robert’s Rules of Order: The Meeting Agenda Simplified
- Expert Minute Taking Tips + Template And Sample
- Robert’s Rules of Order for Voting – All You Need To Know
- The Complete Robert’s Rules Of Order Cheat Sheet (Made Easy)
