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Roberts Rules of Order (Motions)

Decisions are made by a democratic vote in all IWW business meetings. Most other unions use a similar process. Although small, local business meetings can use an informal process, large, official union meetings tend to use Roberts' Rules of Order, which can be somewhat confusing, especially to those not familiar with the process. The following table is designed to make the process of making motions easier to understand.

Does not require seconding              
Requires a 2/3 vote [A]              
In order when another has the floor              
Opens main question to debate              
Undebatable              
Cannot be Reconsidered              
Cannot be Debated              
Explanation:
  • A symbol (§) indicates that the rule at the top of the column it is placed in applies to the motion after which it stands:
  • Dashes (-) indicate that the rules in those columns do not apply;
  • A number indicates that the rule only partially applies; the number has reference to the note showing the limitations. Example: the table shows that the motion to "Take from Table" "cannot be amended": that it is "undebatable": and that an affirmative vote (as shown in the note) "cannot be reconsidered" blanks in the other columns after this motion show that it does not "open the main question to debate ": that it is not "in order when another member has the floor": that it does not "require a 2/3 vote": but that it does "require to be seconded."
             
Adjourn
§
§
§
-
-
-
-
Adjourn, Fixing the time at which to
-
-
[1]
-
-
-
-
Amend [2]
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Amend an Amendment
§
-
-
-
-
-
-
Amend the Rules
-
-
-
-
-
§
-
Appeal, Relating to Indecorum. etc. [3]
§
-
§
-
§
-
-
Appeal, all other cases
§
-
-
-
§
-
-
Call to Order
§
-
§
-
§
-
§
Close Debate, A motion to
-
-
§
-
-
§
-
Commit or Refer
-
-
-
§
-
-
-
Extend the Limits of Debate, to
-
-
§
-
-
§
-
Leave to Continue Speaking after Indecorum
§
-
§
-
-
-
-
Lay on the Table
§
[4]
§
-
-
-
-
Limit Debate, Motion to
-
-
§
-
-
§
-
Objection to Consideration of a Question [5]
§
-
§
-
§
§
§
Orders of the Day, to proceed to
§
-
§
-
§
-
§
Postpone to a Certain Time
-
-
[6]
-
-
-
-
Postpone Indefinitely
§
-
-
§
-
-
-
Previous Question, Motion calling for [7]
§
-
§
-
-
§
-
Reconsider a Debatable Question
§
§
-
§
[8]
-
-
Reconsider an Undebatable Question
§
§
§
-
[8]
-
-
Rescind
-
-
-
§
-
-
-
Special Order of Business, to make
-
-
-
-
-
§
-
Substitute--(Same as Amend) [2]
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Suspend the Rules
§
§
§
-
-
§
-
Take from Table
§
[4]
§
-
-
-
-
Take up Question out of its proper order
§
-
§
-
-
§
-
Withdrawal of a Motion
§
-
§
-
-
-
-

[A] Every motion in this column has the effect of suspending some rule or established right of deliberative bodies so it is customary to require a 2/3 vote, but IWW uses majority vote on all matters.

[1] Undebatable if another question is before the body.

[2] An amendment may be either "adding" or "striking out" words or paragraph; or by "striking out certain words and inserting others," or by "substituting" a different motion on the same subject: or by "dividing the question" into two or more questions, so as to get a separate vote on any particular point.

[3] An appeal is undebatable only when relating to indecorum, or transgressions or rules of speaking, or the priority of business, or when made when the Previous Question is pending. When debatable, only one speech is permitted from each member. On a tie vote the chair is sustained.

[4] An affirmative vote on this motion cannot be reconsidered.

[5] The objection can only be made when the question is first introduced, before debate.

[6] Allows of but limited debate upon the propriety of Postponement.

[7] The Previous Question. if adopted, cuts off debate and brings the body to a vote on the Pending question only, except when the pending motion is an amendment or a motion to commit, when it also applies to the question to be amended or committed.

[8] Can be moved and entered on the record when another has the floor, but cannot interrupt business then before the body: must be made on the day, or the day after the original vote was taken, and by one who voted with the Prevailing side.