Parliamentary Procedure Cheat Sheet (Page 4 of 4) in pdf

Parliamentary Strategy

(From The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure by Alice Sturgis)

TO SUPPORT A MOTION

TO OPPOSE A MOTION

1. Second it promptly and enthusiastically.

1. Speak against it as soon as possible. Raise

questions; try to put proponents on the

2. Speak in favor of it as soon as possible.

defensive.

3. Do your homework; know your facts; have

2. Move to amend the motion so as to eliminate

handouts, charts, overhead projector slides, etc.,

objectionable aspects.

if appropriate.

3. Move to amend the motion to adversely

4. Move to amend motion, if necessary, to make

encumber it.

it more acceptable to opponents.

4. Draft a more acceptable version and offer as

5. Vote against motion to table or to postpone,

amendment by substitution.

unless delay will strengthen your position.

5. Move to postpone to a subsequent meeting.

6. Move to recess or postpone, if you need time

to marshal facts or work behind the scenes.

6. Move to refer to committee.

7. If defeat seems likely, move to refer to

7. Move to table.

committee, if that would improve chances.

8. Move to recess, if you need time to round up

8. If defeat seems likely, move to divide

votes or obtain more facts.

question, if appropriate, to gain at least a partial

9. Question the presence of a quorum, if

victory.

appropriate.

9. Have available a copy of the organization's

10. Move to adjourn.

standing rules, its bylaws, and The Standard

Code of Parliamentary Procedure, in case of a

11. On a voice vote, vote emphatically.

procedural dispute.

12. If the motion is adopted, move to

10. If motion is defeated, move to reconsider, if

reconsider, if you might win a subsequent vote.

circumstances warrant it.

11. If motion is defeated, consider

13. If the motion is adopted, consider trying to

reintroducing it at a subsequent meeting.

rescind it at a subsequent meeting.

14. Have available a copy of the

organization's standing rules, its bylaws,

and The Standard Code of Parliamentary

Procedure, in case of a procedural dispute.

Parliamentary Procedure Cheat Sheet Page 4

Related Articles

Related forms

Related Categories