Unit(s): Parliamentary Procedure
Main Motions and Amendments
Purpose:
To practice correct skills in passing and amending a motion
Objective:
Students will exhibit proper procedure for passing and amending a main motion.
Materials:
Copies of "Motions and Amendments" for each student
Procedure:
- Review "Motions and Amendments" with the class.
- Break class down into small groups of 4 - 6 students each.
- Each group will need to work together to decide:
- Name/ nature of group or committee
- Select a chairman, a main motion-maker, and several amendment-makers- Each group is to write a suitable main motion, and several amendments to that motion, using a variety of the types of motions from the handout. This motion and amendments need to be in written form.
- The groups are to rehearse the oral presentation of their motion and corresponding amendments until the students feel comfortable and accurate.
- Each group is to perform before the class.
- Follow-up activities might include student evaluation of motion and amendment-making, and oral and written critique and evaluation by instructor.
MAIN MOTIONS
Those motions which directly with the items of business being considered by the group. They introduce items of new business to an assembly. They are debatable and require a second. A simple majority passes a main motion.
AMENDMENTS
Amendments may be made to main motions or other amendments, but they must be germaine (pertaining directly to the subject of the motion before the floor). They require a second for discussion, and a simple majority for passage. There are several ways to amend:
It must be noted that amendments to amendments must be voted on and dealt with before moving on to the previous motion(s).