Vote Threshold
The vote threshold required to pass an amendment
What is a majority?
If John motions to make an amendment after Sally motions to Refer to Committee, the Speakers may call John this to let him know of his mistake
What is "Out of Order"?
Making this motion will result in a vote on whether to vote immediately, but is only in order if both sides have been heard
What is call the question?
The maximum number of amendments allowed on a motion at one time
What is two?
The vote threshold required to limit debate (ie. only 60 seconds per testimony)
What is a 2/3rds majority?
A common parliamentary error - if you’re going to call the question, you better make sure you’ve already heard one of each of these conflicting points made at a microphone
What is pro and con testimony?
This motion allows you to adjust the order of business so that an item can be considered during a later part of a meeting, but you better know exactly when!
What is postpone to time certain
The initial motion on the floor at the AMA House of Delegates, if the RefCom Recommendation is to Not Adopt.
What is Adopt?
The vote threshold required to appeal the ruling of the Chair/Speaker
What is a majority?
Raj noticed that sandwhiches had been delivered to MSS Assembly, and as such he motioned to 'Adjourn for lunch' when he likely should have made this motion calling for a pause in business instead
What is take a recess?
This motion allows for a vote count to be conducted, should a traditional voice vote appear to close to call
What is division of assembly (AKA 'division')
The name of official parliamentary procedure rules that govern AMA meetings
What is the American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure?
The vote threshold required to divide the question
What is one vote? (ie. no vote reqiured)
Bob made a point of order when he asked for extra details on a resolution, but what he should have moved is this enlightening motion:
What is a point of information?
This motion allows you to consider resolved clauses as seperate recommendations, which require seperate votes
What is divide the question?
When the vote on a second order amendment results in a tie vote, this is the motion now on the floor
What is the first order amendment in its original form?
The vote threshold required to cut the Gordian Knot
What is a 2/3rds majority?
Laurie wants to postpone a pending motion indefinitely, she knows she shouldn't postpone until time certain, so what she should do instead is make this motion
What is table the motion?
This special purpose variation on the regular motion ‘Suspend the Rules’ permits members to return to an earlier, ‘less confusing’ phase in the meeting — essentially enabling the meeting to start over on the particular item under discussion
What is cut the Gordian Knot?
The two types of motions to refer in the AMA House of Delegates, in order of their ranking as a motion
What is referral for decision (to the BOT without report back) followed by referral for study (with report back by the BOT or a Council)?