Parliamentary Cheat Sheet - How to do the Basics All in One Place

Oct 13, 2026

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A quick reference guide to parliamentary procedure, centered on principles that protect all members—especially minority members and those absent—while allowing majority decisions after full debate and voting. Includes the 13 ranking motions, showing names, purpose, required sections, debatable and amendable status, and vote thresholds. Explains common interrupting motions, and provides step-by-step scripts for making, processing, and amending motions, including examples involving amendments and voting outcomes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Principles underlying parliamentary procedure

Motions: how you do stuff

Ranking motions (1-13)

Other commonly used motions

How to make and process a motion

How to make and process and amendment

MISTER PARLIAMENTARIAN James H. Stewart, PRP PARLIAMENTARY CHEAT SHEET How to do the basics all in one place PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE To protect the rights of the ALL members, particularly the minority* and those who are absent The majority rules after full and free debate and vote MOTIONS: HOW YOU DO STUFF The 13 ranking motions, a motion cannot be made if a motion above it on the chart has already been made. | Rank | Name | What it does | Sec. | Debatable | Amendable | Vote | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn | Set a continued meeting | Yes | No | Yes | Majority | | 2 | Adjourn | End the meeting | Yes | No | No | Majority | | 3 | Recess | Take a break | Yes | No | Yes | Majority | | 4 | Question of Privilege(3) | Member needs something | No | No | No | ( 1) | | 5 | Orders of the Day (3) | Get back to the agenda | No | No | No | ( 1) | | 6 | Lay on the Table | Set aside temporarily | Yes | No | No | Majority | | 7 | Limit or Extend Debate | Limit or Extend debate time | Yes | No | Yes | 2/3 | | 8 | Call the Question/ Previous Question | Stop Debate | Yes | No | No | 2/3 | | 9 | Postpone to a Certain Time/Day | Put it off | Yes | Yes | Yes | Majority | | 10 | Refer to Committee | Send to a committee | Yes | Yes | Yes | Majority | | 11 | Amend the Motion | Change the words | Yes | Yes | Yes (2) | Majority | | 12 | Postpone Indefinitely | Kill the motion | Yes | Yes | No | Majority | | 13 | Main Motion | New Proposal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Majority | | | | | | | | | Other Commonly Used Motions (not all motions in Robert’s are here) | Name | What it Does | Sec | Debatable | Amendable | Vote | Note | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Point of Order (3 above) | Calls attention to a procedural fault | No | No | No | 1 | May be Appealed | | Suspend the Rules | Do something outside the rules | Yes | No | No | 2/3 | | | Reconsider | Take another crack at a Motion | Yes | Yes | No | Majority | Must be made by someone who voted on the prevailing side | | Withdraw Motion | Take a motion back | Yes | No | No | Majority | | | Appeal the
Ruling (3 ) | You disagree with a Ruling of the Chair | Yes | No | No | Majority | Majority or Tie upholds the Ruling, M in the negative overturns the ruling | | Division of a Motion | Divide a motion into parts | Yes | No | Yes | Majority | Chair can initiate | | Division of the
Assembly (3) | Redo the Vote | No | No | No | 1 | Vote retaken by a different method | | Request for Information (3) | Ask A Question | No | No | No | none | Chair answers or directs someone to answer | 1) Chair decides. 2) Amendable in one place at a time. 3) These are the ONLY motions that can interrupt someone whois speaking. HOW TO MAKE AND PROCESS A MOTION Member rises** and says “Mister (or Madam) Chair” Chair recognizes member (allows them to speak) Member says “I move that we give $500 to the disaster relief fund” (Motion must be specific as to what is to be done) Another member says (does not need to be recognized) “Second” Chair says “It is moved and seconded that we give $500 to the disaster relief fund. The member who made the motion my now speak to the motion” Member speaks Chair says “Is there any further debate” members may debate or propose amendments or make other procedural motions such as refer, postpone to the next meeting etc. A member, after having been recognized says “I call the Question” someone else says ‘Second” The Chair says” The question has been called. This will end debate on this motion and we will then proceed to vote on the motion. All those in favor of ending debate please raise your hand” As this requires a 2/3 vote, it cannot be done by a voice vote. Chair says “Thank you, hands down please. All those opposed to ending debate, please raise your hand” Chair says “There being 2/3 in the affirmative, we will now vote on the Motion to give $500 to the disast

FAQs

What are the core principles behind parliamentary procedure in this cheat sheet?

It emphasizes protecting the rights of all members, especially minority members and those absent. It also states that the majority rules after full and free debate and a vote.

What is the rule about ranking motions and making motions in order?

A motion cannot be made if a motion above it on the chart has already been made.

How does a member make and process a motion during a meeting?

The member rises and addresses the Chair, makes a specific motion, another member seconds it, and the Chair confirms it. Members then debate as allowed, and the Chair calls for a vote, handling outcomes based on whether the motion passes.

Oct 13, 2026

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