Felt’s Parliamentary Procedure/Definition of Terms

by Orson B. Felt

Layout 2

DEFINITION OF TERMS.

3. In the study of this volume much misunderstanding may be avoided if the reader will bear in mind the difference in meaning and use of the following terms:

Motion. Question. Vote. A motion is the proposition submitted to the assembly. After it has been stated to the assembly by the presiding officer it becomes the question before the assembly—as it can then be answered by yea or nay. After it has been decided, it becomes the vote or expression of the will of the assembly.

Precedence. A motion is said to have precedence over another when it has priority in rank over that motion, and therefore may be brough before the assembly and be first put to vote when the motion of lower rank is pending.

Assembly. By the assembly is meant that particular collection of members, as another meeting of the same society may be attended by other members, and would be regarded as another assembly.

Pending. Ordered. A proposition or motion is said to be pending after it has been stated to the assembly by the presiding officer, and until a vote has been taken on it, or until it has been at least temporarily disposed of. After the vote on the question is taken, if in the affirmative, it is then ordered.

Yields to. When the pending motion may be forced to give way to another it is said to yield to that motion.

Applies to. One motion is said to apply to another when it may be used for the purpose of changing or disposing of it.

Meeting. Session. For a distinction between these terms see Sec. 29.