TABLES

HANDLING MOTIONS AS CHAIR

Stating the Motion

CHAIR:

It is moved and seconded that… [repeating motion]

Putting the Motion to a Vote

When no one seeks the floor to debate	Are you ready for the question? (or Is there any further debate?) [If no one then seeks the floor, proceed to take the vote.]¹
Voice Vote
CHAIR: [Stand]	The question is on the adoption of the motion that [repeat or clearly identify the motion]. Those in favor of the motion, say aye. [PAUSE] Those opposed, say no. [PAUSE] The ayes have it and the motion is adopted. OR The noes have it and the motion is lost.

Other Methods of Voting

Rising Vote
CHAIR: [Stand]	The question is on the adoption of the motion that [repeat or clearly identify the motion]. Those in favor of the motion will rise. [PAUSE] Be seated. Those opposed will rise. [PAUSE] Be seated.
If majority vote	The affirmative has it and the motion is adopted. OR The negative has it and the motion is lost.
OR, if 2/3 vote	There are two thirds in the affirmative and the motion is adopted. OR There are less than two thirds in the affirmative and the motion is lost.
Counted Rising Vote
CHAIR: [Stand]	The question is on the adoption of the motion that [repeat or clearly identify the motion]. Those in favor of the motion will rise and remain standing until counted. [PAUSE] Be seated. Those opposed will rise and remain standing until counted. [PAUSE] Be seated. There are ____ in the affirmative and ____ in the negative.
If majority vote	The affirmative has it and the motion is adopted. OR The negative has it and the motion is lost.
OR, if 2/3 vote	There are two thirds in the affirmative and the motion is adopted. OR There are less than two thirds in the affirmative and the motion is lost.
Show of Hands Vote
CHAIR: [Stand]	The question is on the adoption of the motion that [repeat or clearly identify the motion]. Those in favor of the motion will raise the right hand. [PAUSE] Lower hands. Those opposed will raise the right hand. [PAUSE] Lower hands.
If majority vote	The affirmative has it and the motion is adopted. OR The negative has it and the motion is lost.
OR, if 2/3 vote	There are two thirds in the affirmative and the motion is adopted. OR There are less than two thirds in the affirmative and the motion is lost.
Counted Show of Hands Vote
CHAIR: [Stand]	The question is on the adoption of the motion that [repeat or clearly identify the motion]. Those in favor of the motion will raise the right hand and keep it raised until counted. [PAUSE] Lower hands. Those opposed will raise the right hand and keep it raised until counted. [PAUSE] Lower hands. There are ____ in the affirmative and ____ in the negative.
If majority vote	The affirmative has it and the motion is adopted. OR The negative has it and the motion is lost.
OR, if 2/3 vote	There are two thirds in the affirmative and the motion is adopted. OR There are less than two thirds in the affirmative and the motion is lost.
When Chair’s Vote Affects Result of Counted Vote (Rising or Show of Hands)
CHAIR:	There are ____ in the affirmative and ____ in the negative.
If majority vote	The chair votes in the affirmative, making ____ in the affirmative and ____ in the negative, so that the affirmative has it and the motion is adopted. OR The chair votes in the negative, making ____ in the affirmative and ____ in the negative, so that there is less than a majority in the affirmative and the motion is lost.
OR, if 2/3 vote	The chair votes in the affirmative, making ____ in the affirmative and ____ in the negative, so that there are two thirds in the affirmative and the motion is adopted. OR The chair votes in the negative, making ____ in the affirmative and ____ in the negative, so that there are less than two thirds in the affirmative and the motion is lost.

Responding to Common Motions and Circumstances

Request for Information	MEMBER:	Mr. President, I have a request for information.
	CHAIR:	The member will state (his) / (her) request.
	MEMBER:	[EXAMPLE:] The motion calls for a lot of money to be spent. Will the Treasurer tell us how much money the Society has in the bank?
	CHAIR:	[Answer the question, or recognize to speak the person who can answer, e.g.:] The Treasurer will please state the balance in the treasury.
Parliamentary Inquiry	MEMBER:	A parliamentary inquiry, please.
	CHAIR:	The member will state (his) / (her) inquiry.
	MEMBER:	[EXAMPLE:] Is a motion to adjourn now in order?
	CHAIR:	[Answer the question.]
Point of Order	MEMBER:	Point of order!
	CHAIR:	The member will state (his) / (her) point of order.
	MEMBER:	I make the point of order that….
	CHAIR: [Stand]	The chair rules that the point of order is/is not well taken. [Explain reasons.]
Appeal	MEMBER:	I appeal from the decision of the chair. (Second.)
	CHAIR:	The decision of the chair is appealed from. [State clearly the exact question at issue and the reasons for your decision.] The question is, “Shall the decision of the chair be sustained?”
	DEBATE [Stand while debating]	[If the appeal is debatable (see footnote 3 on p. 210), members may speak only once, but you may speak twice, the second time in rebuttal at the debate’s close:] As the rules permit, the chair will speak first…. [After others debate:] The chair intends to speak in rebuttal. Are there others who wish to speak first? [Pause; if no response, give your rebuttal.]
	PUTTING THE MOTION TO A VOTE CHAIR: [Stand]	The question is, “Shall the decision of the chair be sustained?” Those in favor of sustaining the chair’s decision, say aye. Those opposed to sustaining this decision, say no. [Majority in negative required to overturn your decision.]
Previous Question	MEMBER:	I move the previous question.
	CHAIR:	It is moved and seconded to order the previous question. Ordering the previous question will cut off any further debate. Those in favor of the previous question will rise. [PAUSE] Be seated. Those opposed will rise. [PAUSE] Be seated.
	If two thirds	There are two thirds in the affirmative and the previous question is ordered. The question is now on the adoption of the motion [state in full the motion on which the previous question has now been ordered, and immediately take the vote on it].
	OR, if less than two thirds	There are less than two thirds in the affirmative and the motion for the previous question is lost. The question is now on [state the immediately pending motion]. Debate may now resume.
Recess	CHAIR:	The meeting stands recessed for 15 minutes.
Recess	RESUME CHAIR: [Stand]	The meeting will come to order. The time of recess has expired. The question is on [state pending motion].

Footnotes to Table A

1. If no further debate or amendment is in order, proceed to take the vote without asking either of these questions. If amendment but not debate is in order, ask either “Are you ready for the question?” or “Are there any [further] amendments?”

TABLE B:

WHEN CHAIR STANDS AND SITS

CHAIR STANDS

When putting question to a vote

When calling a meeting to order or declaring it adjourned

When ruling on Point of Order (or debating Appeal)

CHAIR SITS:

When a member is speaking in debate

OTHERWISE CHAIR STANDS OR SITS AS HE OR SHE CHOOSES

TABLE C:

CONDUCTING A MEETING AS CHAIR

CALL TO ORDER	[Stand] The meeting will come to order.
OPENING CEREMONIES OR EXERCISES	The invocation will be given by…. The singing of the national anthem will be led by…. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by….
READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES	The Secretary will read the minutes. [Chair sits, Secretary stands.] [After minutes read:] Are there any corrections to the minutes? … If there are no [further] corrections, the minutes are approved as read [corrected].
OR, if minutes distributed before meeting	The minutes of the previous meeting have been distributed. Are there any corrections to the minutes? … If there are no [further] corrections, the minutes are approved as distributed [corrected].
REPORTS	[EXAMPLES:] May we have the Treasurer’s report. The chair recognizes the chairman of the Membership Committee for a report. Does the Program Committee have a report?
UNFINISHED BUSINESS	Under unfinished business, the first item of business is the motion relating to…, which was pending when the last meeting adjourned. The question is on the adoption of the motion [stating the motion]. The next item of business is….
NEW BUSINESS	Is there any new business? Is there any further new business?
ADJOURNMENT	Since there is no further business, [pause, stand, and resume slowly] the meeting is adjourned.