Parliamentary Procedure Q&A

Q: If a member makes a motion, it's seconded, and during discussion another members asks for the motion to be amended, and then the original member amends his motion, and it's seconded, is a vote taken on the amended motion and another vote taken on the original motion? - Dave Rosier, Oct. 5, 1998

A: That's close. The thing to remember is that after a motion is stated by the chairman, the maker no longer has ownership of it. This means he cannot amend the motion by himself.

The procedure is:

  1. Alice makes motion.
  2. It is seconded.
  3. Chair states motion.
  4. Group debates it.
  5. Brian moves to amend it.
  6. It is seconded.
  7. Chair states motion to amend.
  8. Group debates amendment.
  9. Group votes on amendment.
  10. Group continues debating (perhaps amended) main motion.
  11. Group votes on (perhaps amended) main motion.

For example:

  1. Alice: I move we buy a new PC for the Club.
  2. John: Second!
  3. Chair: It is moved and seconded that we buy a new PC for the Club. Is there discussion?
  4. Alice: Our old one is way too slow!
  5. Brian: I move to amend the motion by striking out "PC" and inserting "iMAC".
  6. Karen: Second!
  7. Chair: It is moved and seconded to amend the motion by striking out "PC" and inserting "iMAC". Is there discussion?
  8. Brian: The iMAC would be a better value.
  9. Alice: No way. Software is too limited for it.
  10. The group votes and adopts the amendment.
  11. Chair: The question is now that we buy a new iMAC for the Club. Is there further discussion?
  12. The group votes and does not adopt the motion.

HOME QUESTIONS OTHER SITES
1