Ku-Ni-Eh Lodge Guide To Parliamentary Procedure

• A MOTION: FROM START TO FINISH:
  
• TO MAKE A MOTION: Raise your hand and when recognized by the Lodge Chief state “I move that…”
  Make your motion as short and accurate as possible.
  Speak up so that everyone can hear you.
  Any voting member of the Executive Committee may make a motion.
  The Lodge Chief may Require that Motions be made in writing.
  
• MOTIONS MUST BE SECONDED: Raise your hand and say “Second”
  A motion must be seconded.
  If no second is received, the motion fails.
  Any voting member of the committee may second a motion.
  
• DEBATE: After a motion is made and seconded, the Lodge Chief will open the floor for debate. This is the time to explain and persuade people to vote for the motion. If you are opposed, this is your time to tell the committee why the motion should not pass. To speak you must raise your hand and wait to be recognized by the Lodge Chief. During Debate you should address the Chair (Lodge Chief) not the other committee members.
  
• CALL THE QUESTION: (or how to end discussion of a motion) this is not a mandatory step. The Lodge Chief can Call the Question at any time .If the committee members get long winded and are repeating what everyone is saying and the committee needs to make a decision, then you: Raise your hand; get recognized by the Lodge Chief and say, “I call the Question”. The Lodge Chief will then state the following: “The question has been called, all in favor of ending discussion on this motion, say aye. Those opposed, say nay”.
  There must be a majority of 2/3 to pass the motion to end the discussion, and then the motion must be voted upon.
  If there are not sufficient votes to pass the motion to end the discussion, more discussion continues.
  
• VOTING ON A MOTION: Prior to voting on a motion, the Lodge Chief will repeat the exact wording of the motion.
  
• VOICE VOTE: The Lodge Chief will ask: “Everyone who is in favor, please say aye.” He will then ask “Anyone who is opposed please indicate by saying “nay”. The Lodge Chief will then declare whether the motion passed or failed.
  
• ROLL CALL VOTE: The Lodge Chief may call for a roll call vote when he thinks an item is of such importance that members’ votes need to be on the record or when it appears that a voice vote will be very close. Committee members may ask for a roll call vote when they do not agree with the Lodge Chief’s interpretation of the voice vote. The committee member, after being recognized by the Lodge chief, states: “I call that a role call vote be taken”. The person making an original motion can include in the motion the statement that the motion be decided by roll call vote.
  
• AMENDING A MOTION: If you decide you want to amend a motion, you can do it in three different ways. The lodge chief can require that amendments be made in writing.
  
• FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: You can ask the Arrowman who made the original motion whether he would agree to a friendly amendment. This is usually used when a point needs to be clarified.
  
• EARLY AMENDMENT: If you want to amend a motion during the discussion stage (before the motion has been voted upon), you follow the following procedure: Be recognized by the Lodge chief and then state, “I ask the motion be amended to state…” The amendment must be seconded. The amendment must be discussed. The amendment must be voted upon and must pass by a majority vote. If the amendment passes, then discussion resumes on the amended motion, followed by a vote on the amended motion.
  
• LATE AMENDMENT: If a motion has already been voted on, you can attempt to amend the motion by the following: Be recognized by the Lodge Chief and then state, “I ask the last motion be amended to state….” The amendment must be seconded. The amendment must be discussed. The amendment must be voted upon and must pass by 2/3-majority vote. If the amendment passes, no other vote is required.
  
• TABLING A MOTION: The Lodge Chief Can Table A Motion at anytime at his Discretion. If you believe that a motion should be deferred to later in the meeting. You should:
  Be recognized by the Lodge Chief and then state: “I move that we table this motion until a later time due to ….”
  The motion to table must be seconded.
  The motion must be voted upon and must pas by a majority vote.
  
• COMMITTING A MOTION: The Lodge Executive Committee May decide to commit the decision of a motion on the floor to a lodge standing committee or to the lodge Key 3 (Lodge Chief, Lodge advisor, and lodge Staff Advisor). To do this state “I move that we commit the decision to the ...” the motion must be seconded and pass by 2/3 vote.
  
• REFERING A MOTION: the Lodge Executive Committee may require more information on a subject if this is the case a motion can be referred to any lodge committee. The selected committee must then gather information on the topic and report back to the Executive Committee at an appointed time. To Refer a Motion state “I move that we refer a motion to the … to report back on….” the motion must be seconded and pass by a majority vote.
  
• POSTPONING A MOTION: The Lodge Chief can postpone a motion at any time at his discretion. If you want to postpone the discussion on a motion until a future meeting or until some future time, you should:
  Be recognized by the Lodge Chief and then state: “I move that we table this motion until…”
  Your motion should state whether you are postponing until a specific future meeting or whether you are postponing the motion indefinitely.
  The motion to postpone must be seconded.
  The motion to postpone must be discussed.
  The motion must be voted upon and must pass by a majority vote.