Robert's Rules of Order Motions Chart

Based on Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (1990 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 m
§

§21
§20
§19
§18
§17
§16
§15
§14
§13
§12
§11
§10
Jim Slaughter, Certified Professional Parliamentarian/Professional Registered Parliamentarian
1801 Colonial Avenue, Greensboro NC 27408 Phone: 336-282-3040
e-mail: jim@jimslaughter.com web site: www.jimslaughter.com

Incidental Motions - no order of precedence. Arise incidentally and are decided immediately.
§

§23
§24
§25
§26
§27
§29
§32
§32
Jim Slaughter, Certified Professional Parliamentarian/Professional Registered Parliamentarian
1801 Colonial Avenue, Greensboro NC 27408 Phone: 336-282-3040
e-mail: jim@jimslaughter.com web site: www.jimslaughter.com

Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly -

no order of precedence. Introduce only when nothing else is pending.
§

§33
§34
§36
Jim Slaughter, Certified Professional Parliamentarian/Professional Registered Parliamentarian
1801 Colonial Avenue, Greensboro NC 27408 Phone: 336-282-3040
e-mail: jim@jimslaughter.com web site: www.jimslaughter.com
higher on the chart than the pending motion.
YOU WANT: YOU SAY:

Close meeting I move to adjourn

Take break I move to recess for ...
Register complaint I rise to a question of privilege
Make follow agenda I call for the orders of the day
Lay aside temporarily I move to lay the question on the table
Close debate I move the previous question
Limit or extend debate I move that debate be limited to ...
Postpone to a certain time I move to postpone the motion to ...
Refer to committee I move to refer the motion to a committee
Modify wording of motion I move to amend the motion by ...
Kill main motion I move that the motion be postponed indefinitely
Bring business before assembly (a main motion) I move that [or "to"] ...

YOU WANT: YOU SAY:

Enforce rules Point of Order

Submit matter to assembly I appeal from the decision of the chair
Suspend rules I move to suspend the rules
Avoid main motion altogether I object to the consideration of the question
Divide motion I move to divide the question
Demand a rising vote I call for a division
Parliamentary law question Parliamentary inquiry
Request for information Point of information

YOU WANT: YOU SAY:

Take matter from table I move to take from the table ...
Cancel previous action I move to rescind ...
Reconsider motion I move to reconsider ...
INTERRUPT? 2ND? DEBATE? AMEND? VOTE?

No Yes No No Majority
No Yes No Yes Majority
Yes No No No None
Yes No No No None
No Yes No No Majority
No Yes No No 3-Feb
No Yes No Yes 3-Feb
No Yes Yes Yes Majority
No Yes Yes Yes Majority
No Yes Yes Yes Majority
No Yes Yes No Majority
No Yes Yes Yes Majority

INTERRUPT? 2ND? DEBATE? AMEND? VOTE?

Yes No No No None
Yes Yes Varies No Majority
No Yes No No 3-Feb
Yes No No No 3-Feb
No Yes No Yes Majority
Yes No No No None
Yes No No No None
Yes No No No None

INTERRUPT? 2ND? DEBATE? AMEND? VOTE?

No Yes No No Majority
No Yes Yes Yes 2/3 or Majority with notice
No Yes Varies No Majority