Key Terms 1
Speaker’s List
established for the purpose of general debate on the topic under discussion.
Roll call
Calling off the list of attendees
Point of Personal Privilege
Tool to ensure that you have the resources necessary for the committee.
Motion to adjourn or suspend meeting
When the floor is open, a delegate may move for the suspension of the meeting, to suspend all committee functions until the next committee meeting, or the adjournment of the meeting.
Call to order
President/chair addresses participants
Committee Reports
Presentation of working papers/draft resolutions
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
When the floor is open, a delegate may rise under this point to ask the Acting Chair a question regarding the rules of procedure.
Motion to suspend debate
When the floor is open, a delegate may move to suspend debate on a topic, bill, or amendment currently before the committee.
Quorum
Determine the majority needed for voting
Adjourn
Formally end the meeting
Point of Order
A delegate may rise to a Point of Order if he or she feels that the rules of procedure are not being followed correctly.
Motion to close debate
When the floor is open, a delegate may move to close debate on any substantive or procedural matter under discussion.
Yield to another delegate
who may then rise and address the audience for the remaining time.
Table a motion
postpone any action on a motion until a later time by “laying it on the table”
Right of Reply
If a delegate feels that another delegate has insulted his or her personal or national integrity, he or she may petition the Acting Chair for a right of reply.
Motion to resume debate
A motion to resume debate on a topic, bill, or amendment on which debate has been suspended shall require a majority vote to pass and shall be debatable to the extent of one speaker for and one speaker against the motion.
Yield to the chair
whereby the speaker has finalized their speech, and there is time remaining.
New Business
amendable, debatable, requires a majority vote
What is the purpose of having points in a formal debate?
To address specific issues, avoid chaos, and maintain the overall flow of a debate
What is the purpose of motions?
To propose actions, make decisions, and guide the discussion.