Motions:

Only Make a motion when you would like the group to take action; state during new business. The following will set of actions will take place:
            1) You make the motion
            2) Chair recognizes the motion and it must be seconded
            3) Debate
            4) Vote

Debate:

Discussion alternating between opposing and favoring the motion (Pro - Con)
Rules for debate:
           1) The person who has made the motion is recognized before others if he or she has
                not yet taken the floor yet and desires to do so
           2) Each member is only allowed to speak twice during debate

Point of Information: Statement used to ask a question at any time during the meeting
                                          and/or debate

Question: Statement used to end a debate and move to a vote; requires a 2/3 agreement by
                    show of hands

Consent: Indicates unanimous agreement on a decision: "all are in favor"

Object: Opposes consent

Division: Statement used to disagree with a statement or a result of a vote (i.e. If there is a
                  close vote and you doubt the result call, "Division", and the vote will be taken
                  again)

The rules of parliamentary procedure were developed to help large groups of people come to decisions with the least amount of confusion.  These rules ensure the rights of persons and subgroups within an organization and are based on the following: the majority, the minority (1/3 of the group), the individual, the absentees and the total body.

All brothers should understand and use the basics of parliamentary procedure.  Some of the basics are included in the following outline.

A. Order of Business

Robert's Rule of Order recommends the following order:

        1)   Call to Order
        2)   Roll Call
        3)   Reading and Corrections or Approval of Last Meeting's Minutes
        4)   Officer's Reports
        5)   Permanent or Standing Committee's Reports
        6)   Temporary or Special Committee's Reports
        7)   Unfinished Business
        9)   New Business
       10) Adjournment

B. How to Bring a Motion Before the Chapter

        1) A member makes a motion in the form, "I move that.. (state the motion in the form
            of an action)."
        2) Another member seconds the motion.
        3) The president or presiding member repeats the motion and asks for discussion.

All members who wish to speak in favor of or against the motion can express their views within a specified amount of time.  A second only means other person agrees that the motion should come up for discussion; it does not imply agreement with the motion.

C. How to Vote on a Motion

When the chapter is ready to vote on the motion, do so by:

        1) Voice
        2) Rising
        3) Show of Hands
        4) Secret Ballot

A show of hands or voice are the most common ways of voting.  A secret ballot should be used for officer elections, voting on new members, or events in which an individual's choice is best kept private.  All that is needed for a secret ballot is one member to call for a secret ballot.  Also, do not use plurality (see Glossary of Terms, End) to determine the winner.  It is best to take the top two candidates with the greatest number of votes and conduct a second vote between them when no one receives the majority.  The winner must receive the majority of the votes.

D. How to Amend a Motion

There are three ways to amend a motion:

       1) Omitting a specific part
       2) Adding a specific part
       3) Substituting a specific part

The member should state the way the new motion will read.  In order for a motion to be amended, both the person who introduced the original motion and the person who seconded the original motion must agree to the amended motion before it can be substituted for the original motion on the floor.  If approved all amendments must be voted on before the motion itself can be voted on.

E. When to Ratify an Action

The term is also called approve or confirm.  Cases where this procedure is used are:

      1) Emergency action taken at a regular or properly called meeting at which no quorum
          was present 
      2) Emergency action taken by officers or committees generally out of their authority
      3) Action taken by the local chapter which requires approval of the national organization
      4) Action taken by a state or a national body subject to approval by local organization(s)

F. Point of Order

When a member believes that the rules of the organization are being violated, that member can make a point of order (raise a question).  This requires the chairperson to rule on the order and enforce regular rules.  The following rules apply to the point of order:

      1) Comes before any pending question
      2) Can be applied to any violation of the organization's rules
      3) Is in order when another has the floor, even interrupting a person speaking or reading a
          report if the point really requires attention at such a time
      4) Announces all business, making clear to members the question at hand
      5) States all motions or resolutions
      6) Puts questions to vote by calling for both affirmative and negative vote and declares
          the result of the vote
      7) Decides a tie vote

G. Methods of Nomination

There are five methods of nomination:

      1) By the Chair
      2) From the Floor (open nominations)
      3) By a committee
      4) By ballot
      5) By mail

H. How to Nominate

    (Member) I nominate Mr./Ms. _____________.
    (Chair) Mr./Ms. ___________ is nominated.  Are there any further nominations?

    Note: No second is required when nominating.

I. How to Form Committees

The following are methods used in appointing committees:

     1) Election by ballot
     2) Nominations from the Floor
     3) Nominations by the Chair
     4) Appointment by the Chair
     5) Appointment by adoption of a motion naming members of a committee

When a chairperson has been chosen, he/she is to call the meeting to order. Committee
Meetings should be held at least every two weeks.  If the chairperson does not call a meeting and business is not being handled, members of the committee should alert the chapter vice president.

Adjourn - to close a meeting until a further time

Agenda - a list of business items to be considered at a meeting

Amend - alter by adding, inserting, striking out, or substituting  words, sentences, or
                paragraphs

Bylaws - chapter standing rules generally containing more detailed matter specific to your     
               chapter (order of business, membership dues, attendance requirements, etc.)

Executive Session - a meeting at which the proceedings are secret

Main Motion - a motion to bring before the assembly any particular subject or proposal.

Majority - more than half of the votes cast by members present

Orders of the Day - business to be taken up during a meeting including unfinished business
                                from previous meeting, business postponed to the present meeting, and
                                new business scheduled for the present meeting

Out of Order - not relevant to the business at hand

Pending Question - a motion which has been stated by the chair but which has not been put           
                                to a vote or a motion which must be disposed of before other business
                                can be introduced

Plurality - number of votes cast for a candidate in a contest of more than two that is greater
                 than the number cast for any other candidate but not more than half the total votes
                 cast

Point of Information - a motion to request information

Point of Order - a question as to whether the rules of Parliamentary Procedure are being
                           observed

Question - the word "question" spoken by members of an assembly is an informal method of
                  indicating that they are ready to vote on a motion.  The chairperson may ask
                  then, "Are you ready for the question?" or "Is there further discussion?"  If no
                  one addresses the chair, he/she then puts the motion to vote

Question of Privilege - a question relating to the rights and privileges of the members. 
                                     Rising to complain about heat, disturbances, etc.

Quorum - the number of members present required to conduct fraternity business (should be 
                 stated in the National Constitution)

Reconsider - to review a matter discussed and voted on before for possible alteration

Regular Meeting - refers to the fixed time set by the organization

Rescind - annual action previously taken

Special Committee - a committee that exists only to complete a specified task.  Also known 
                                 as an ad hoc or select committee

Special Meeting - when important matters arise, this meeting is "called" to deal with the
                             situation

Standing Committee - group that has a continuing existence

Withdraw a Motion - a motion may be withdrawn at any time before it is put to vote by
                                   unanimous consent or by passing a motion (majority vote) to permit
                                   its withdrawal

Unanimous Consent - adoption of a motion without calling for a vote