Precedence of motions in Robert’s Rules of Order

People are sometimes confused about precedence of motions in Robert’s Rules of Order. In essence it is rather simple. The principle is that each motion has a number or rank. When motions are pending, motions with a higher rank may be made, but motions with a lower rank are out of order (not allowed). The main motion has the lowest rank. It can be made only if there is no other motion pending (being discussed or processed).

There are 13 motions with ranks. “Point of Order” and “Request for Information” do not have ranks, but are dealt with immediately. Contrariwise, the “bring back” motions (Reconsider, Rescind, Amend Something Previously Adopted) have no rank and can only be made, in general, if there is no other business on the table, no motions under consideration. There are other motions as well, but the ranking motions are the key ones to learn about.

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The real skinny about precedence of motions in Robert’s Rules of Order

The truth about this system is that it isn’t difficult, it’s just a little strange. Someone who takes the time to learn about these ranks, and to apply them, will have greater success in dealing with board or council matters. Someone who yields to internal bafflement and avoids the entire subject will have less.

If you use another parliamentary authority, it will likely have the same order of ranks, since the system has been established for a long time as part of common parliamentary law and the system of parliamentary procedure.

Note also that the word is pronounced “pree-SEE-dence,” rather different from our usual pronunciation of “PREH-sih-dence.”

We invite you to download our “Motions Chart,”  a PDF file that gives the key information on this topic in concise form. You can learn more about the most commonly used motions in our book, Mastering Council Meetings.

Download Motions Chart

 

Example of precedence of motions in action

PROPOSE AN ACTION

If a member wants the organization to do something, he proposes a Main Motion. For example,

“I move that we hold an Arts Festival this summer.”

If another member wants to talk about this idea, that person says “Second!” The chair then says,

“It has been moved and seconded that we hold an Arts Festival next summer. Is there any discussion?”

The group then discusses the Main Motion. The person who made the Main Motion has the right to speak first, if he chooses.

This is the Main Motion, a proposal for action.

(If no one seconds the Main Motion, the chair says, “There is no second, so the motion will not be considered,” and moves immediately to the next item of business.)

MOVE TO CHANGE THE PROPOSAL

Suppose that during discussion, one member realizes that this summer is too soon. She can move to Amend the Main Motion. This is a motion that suggests changing the Main Motion to improve it. She would say,

“I move that we amend the main motion by striking the words ‘this summer’ and inserting the words ‘next summer.’”

If another member wants to talk about this amendment, she says “Second!” The chair then says:

“It has been moved and seconded that we amend the motion by striking the words ‘this summer’ and inserting the words ‘next summer.’ Is there any discussion?

This is the Motion to Amend, a proposal to change a Main Motion.

The confusing part is that the group discusses and votes on the Motion to Amend BEFORE voting on the Main Motion. The reason for this pattern is in order for the members to make the Main Motion as good as it can be—to “perfect” the Main Motion. Read our article Amendment in Robert’s Rules for more information on this.

MOVE TO POSTPONE THE PROPOSAL TO THE NEXT MEETING

Now, in the course of discussion, another member thinks that the group needs more time to research festivals in the area before making a decision. That member moves to Postpone the Motion to the next meeting.

If another member wants to talk about this, he says “Second!” The chair then says:

“It has been moved and seconded that we postpone this Main Motion to our next meeting. Is there any discussion?”

This is the Motion to Postpone to a Certain Time.

HOW MOTIONS WORK IN THIS EXAMPLE

In this example, each type of motion has a number or rank attached to it.

  • Main motion – Rank 1
  • Motion to Amend – Rank 3
  • Motion to Postpone to a Certain Time – Rank 5

There are 13 motions with ranks in all, but some of them are seldom used. The Main Motion has the lowest rank of all, Rank 1, which seems odd, but is how the system works.

Download chart of all 13 motions here

The principle is that WHEN A MOTION IS PENDING (under consideration), any motion with a higher rank may be made, but any motion with a lower rank is out of order. And in general, the group may discuss only the pending motion.

We process each motion in reverse order from when it was made. It is a “LIFO” system—Last In, First Out. 

For example, if we are discussing postponing this motion to the next meeting, which has a rank of 5:

  • No one can move to refer the motion to a committee, since the Motion to Refer to Committee has a rank of 4.
  • No one can argue that this summer is soon enough, since that pertains to the Motion to Amend, with a rank of 3.
  • No one can say that we should have a Racing Car Festival because an Arts Festival is a waste of time, since that pertains to the Main Motion with a rank of 1.

HOW MOTIONS WORK IN THIS EXAMPLE

In the sequence given above, this is what would happen:

  • We discuss and vote on the Motion to Postpone to the next meeting. If it passes, the matter is finished with for now, and will be taken up at the next meeting.
  • If it fails, we discuss and vote on the Motion to Amend the Main Motion. If it passes, the Main Motion now reads:

“That we hold an Arts Festival NEXT SUMMER.”

  • If it fails, we go back to discussing the Main Motion, namely, “that we hold an Arts Festival THIS SUMMER.”
  • Finally, at the end of the process, we get back to the Main Motion and vote on it, and then we are done.

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Related articles:

Making a motion is a power move

Processing motions in Robert’s Rules

Amendment in Robert’s Rules

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Ann Macfarlane

Ann G. Macfarlane is a Professional Registered Parliamentarian. She offers an interactive and user-friendly way to master the key points for effective, efficient and fair meetings. Her background as a diplomat and Russian translator enables her to connect with elected officials and nonprofit board directors and give them the tools they need for success. She is the author of Mastering Council Meetings: A guidebook for elected officials and local governments.

8 Comments

  1. Donna Cameron on August 12, 2015 at 2:51 pm

    Ann, you make it all so clear! This is a great explanation of the precedence of motions. And I learned I’ve been pronouncing that word incorrectly as used for parliamentary procedure. Thanks for making learning so enjoyable!



  2. Ann Macfarlane on August 12, 2015 at 3:18 pm

    Donna, that’s great to hear! Thanks for your kind words.



  3. Barbara Vasquez on August 26, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    Question along these same lines: If a motion was made to remove a parcel out of open space, and was seconded. Then the person who made the original motion asked to amend the motion and add a request to the assessor to not have the property owners pay back taxes and penalties. We now have the original motion and now an amended motion. Which gets addressed first?

    Thank you for your help!

    Barbara



    • Ann Macfarlane on August 26, 2015 at 2:45 pm

      Hi Barbara, the body addresses the amendment, request to assessor, and decides whether or not to add that request to the main motion. If it passes, the body then addresses the main motion “as amended,” that is, the original verbiage+amendment verbiage. After discussion the body will vote on approving or denying the main motion as amended.

      Anyone may move to amend the original motion (the person who made it or any other member). But the body as a whole has to decide about the amendment.

      Thanks for asking and good luck!
      Ann



  4. Stanley Hersey on January 22, 2016 at 11:54 am

    Ann, If a board makes a motion at a general public board meeting to place an item on a ballot for members to vote on at an AGM, can that item be removed from the ballot buy the board without a motion in public session to reconsider the original motion? Would you be so kind to reference Roberts if possible for me. Thank You



    • Ann Macfarlane on January 22, 2016 at 12:03 pm

      Dear Stanley,
      Thank you for this inquiry. The answer will vary depending upon whether this is a public body, or a private board. I wonder how the board could have removed the item – was this perhaps done by individual persons, in which case it was not a board action? Or did the board meet privately? Ann



  5. Stanley Hersey on January 22, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    This is a private, the item in question was removed without the memberships knowledge, with no knowledge of a private board meeting. our bylaws state that all board meetings private or public be posted. It seems that maybe a few of the board members met to remove this.



    • Ann Macfarlane on January 22, 2016 at 3:52 pm

      On the face of it, Stanley, this is a complete violation of the ordinary rules of procedure. Action taken by a board cannot simply be undone by a few individuals. If this is the case, you really have a problem with board members acting outside their authority. A board can act only when it meets together, in a meeting properly noticed and called, with a quorum in attendance.