This document takes you through a typical sequence of motions that a committee will go through.  Understanding this sequence will help you to anticipate the kinds of motions you will get from the delegates at the meeting.

1.  General debate – possible motions

• Caucus to discuss which topic to consider
• Speakers list to discuss which topic to consider
• Motion to consider a particular topic

2.  Debate on particular topic

• Speakers list to discuss particular topic
• Caucus to discuss which resolution to consider
• Motion to close debate on topic
• Motion to adjourn debate on topic
• Motion to bring resolution to floor.  Note:  for such motions to be in order, the following criteria must be met:
  1. Resolutions are in order when a) they are titled; b) preambulatory and operative clauses are clearly distinguished; c) operative clauses are numbered; d) there are at least 6 co-sponsors to the resolution.
  2. Resolutions may be move to the floor by delegates when a) they are recognized by the chair; b) when copies of the resolution are available for distribution to all members of the committee.
  3. All resolutions are subject to amendment.  Debate continues on the resolution until the body acts on the resolution (approving, rejecting, or tabling).

3.  Debate on Resolution

• Speakers list to discuss the resolution
• Caucus to discuss the resolution
• Motion to close debate on resolution
  • Division of proposals
• Motion to adjourn debate on resolution
• Motion to amend resolution.  Note:  for such motions to be in order, the following criteria must be met:
  
  1. Amendments are submitted to the committee secretary and they must be approved by the committee secretary.
  2.   Amendments may be moved to the floor by delegates when they are recognized by the chair.
  3. The chair will ascertain whether the amendment is friendly or unfriendly.  If friendly, it is immediately adopted to the resolution.  If unfriendly, the chair will open a speakers list on the amendment.
  4. Debate continues on amendment until the body acts on the amendment (approving, rejecting or tabling)
  5. Debate then returns to the resolution.

4.  Debate on Amendment

• Speakers list to discuss amendment
• Caucus to discuss amendment
• Motion to close debate on amendment
  • Division of proposals
• Motion to adjourn debate on amendment

Here are a few general notes about this process. 

1.  Once a vote is taken at one level, the business of the committee shifts to the previous level.   For example, once an amendment is either approved or rejected, debate shifts back to the resolution.  Once a resolution is approved or rejected, debate shifts back to the topic. 

2.  At each level of debate, chairs and secretaries should maintain distinct speakers’ lists.  In between speakers, chairs must call for additional motions or proposals.  These motions or proposals may shift the focus of the meeting.  A motion to consider an amendment, for example, shifts debate from the resolution to the proposed amendment.  Once the committee has acted on the amendment, the chair should resume with the already established speakers’ list on the resolution.

3.  The committee process is discrete.  This means only one piece of business is handled at a time.  Only one resolution may be considered at a time and only one amendment.  So, for example, once an amendment is moved to the floor, it must be voted on or tabled (this is adjournment of debate).   An amendment may not be amended by another amendment before it has been voted on. 

4.  Division of proposals:  some of the more clever delegates may resort to a motion to divide the question (or division of proposals).  Such a motion is valid only after a motion to close debate has been approved.  When making the motion, the delegate must indicate which operative clauses he or she wants the committee to vote on separately.  If approved, the committee will vote on these clauses first.  Rejection means the clause is dropped from the resolution.  After voting on the separate clauses, the committee will vote on the remainder of the resolution.

5.  Order of precedence of motions:  resourceful delegates will also make use of the order precedence of motions.  Here is the order:

1. suspension of meeting
2. adjournment of debate
3. closure of debate

What this order of precedence means is that a motion to suspend the meeting would take precedence over a motion to either close or adjourn debate.  Similarly, a motion to adjourn debate would take precedence over a motion to close debate.

6.  Speeches:  we will observe 5 minute limit on substantive speeches an a 1 minute limit on procedural speeches.  Delegates may ask the speakers questions after substantive speeches.  Questions must be directed through the chair.  The length of time devoted to question is subject to the discretion of the chair.