Chapter 5 - The Main Motion

Question 1

An original main motion is a main motion that

A. amends another motion.
B. introduces a substantive question as a new subject.
C. is related to the business of the assembly or its past or future action.
D. allows the maker of the motion to serve as chairman if it is referred to a committee.

(10.1)

Answer 1

B. introduces a substantive question as a new subject.

Question 2

An incidental main motion

A. can be made only with the permission of the assembly.
B. is in order if an original main motion is the immediate pending question.
C. proposes an action that is defined under parliamentary law and described by a particular parliamentary term.
D. is the same as a main motion, except it only can be proposed when an incidental motion is pending.

(10.2)

Answer 2

C. proposes an action that is defined under parliamentary law and described by a particular parliamentary term.

Question 3

An incidental main motion is a main motion that is different from an original main motion because it

A. cannot be amended.
B. is always made when a main motion is the immediately pending question.
C. may be made any time, even if another member is speaking.
D. never introduces a substantive question as a new subject.

(10.3)

Answer 3

D. never introduces a substantive question as a new subject.

Question 4

An example of an incidental main motion would be a motion to

A. take a recess when no business is pending.
B. place a special limit on the lenght of speeches throughout a meeting.
C. adopt recommendations a committee has proposed.
D. All of the above

(10.4)

Answer 4

D. All of the above

Question 5

The main difference between the rules governing original and incidental main motions is that incidental main motions

A. need not be seconded.
B. cannot have an Objection to the Consideration of a Question applied to them.
C. cannot be amended.
D. Can only be debated one time by each member.

(10.5)

Answer 5

B. cannot have an Objection to the Consideration of a Question applied to them.

Question 6

The main motion is a motion that

A. takes precedence over everything.
B. can be applied to no other motion.
C. can be moved at any time.
D. always requires a majority vote.

(10.6)

Answer 6

B. can be applied to no other motion.

Question 7

All subsidiary motions can be applied to

A. an original main motion.
B. a point of order.
C. themselves.
D. third degree amendments.

(10.7)

Answer 7

A. an original main motion.

Question 8

Main motions

A. take precedence over all motions.
B. are not debatable.
C. always require a two-thirds vote to be adopted.
D. are out of order when another member has the floor.

(10.8)

Answer 8

D. are out of order when another member has the floor.

Question 9

A general rule when wording a main motion is

A. to offer statements such as “I so move,” after informal consultation.
B. not to propose a motion that the assembly refrain from doing something.
C. to include negative statements.
D. never begin a motion with the words “I move that . . .”

(10.9)

Answer 9

B. not to propose a motion that the assembly refrain from doing something.

Question 10

Which one of the following motions would be most acceptable?

A. After obtaining the floor, say “I move that this organization declare its opposition to the recent increase in dues.”
B. After obtaining the floor, say “I move that this organization go on record as not favoring the proposed increase in dues.”
C. After obtaining the floor, say “I move that our delegates be given no instruction regarding the proposal for the increase in dues when they attend the convention next week.”
D. After obtaining the floor, say “Imove that we give no response to the proposed dues.”

(10.10)

Answer 10

A. After obtaining the floor, say “I move that this organization declare its opposition to the recent increase in dues.”

Question 11

A resolution should always be submitted

A. with “whereas” clauses.
B. by a committee.
C. in writing.
D. by general consent.

(10.11)

Answer 11

C. in writing.

Question 12

When writing a complex main motion in the form of a resolution, what word should a preamble begin with to give reasons for the motion’s adoption?

A. “Therefore”
B. “Be it resolved”
C. “Whereas”
D. However”

(10.12)

Answer 12

C. “Whereas”

Question 13

If a resolution is being considered that has a preamble, when can the preamble be amended?

A. Last
B. First
C. During the same time as the resolutions are considered
D. None of the above. Preambles are not amendable

(10.13)

Answer 13

A. Last

Question 14

When the Previous Question has been adopted on a resolution which has a preamble,

A. the resolution and the preamble cannot be adopted.
B. debate is allowed on the resolution.
C. debate is allowed on the preamble.
D. None of the above

(10.14)

Answer 14

C. debate is allowed on the preamble.

Question 15

One general rule concerning the form used in writing resolutions is

A. the clauses of all preambles are placed in one paragraph.
B.the preamble should always contain a period.
C. the last paragraph of a preamble should close with a colon.
D. the word “Resolved” is underlined or written in italics.

(10.15)

Answer 15

D. the word “Resolved” is underlined or written in italics.

Question 16

Which statement below is false regarding main motions?

A. They bring business before the assembly.
B. They can be made only while no other motion is pending.
C. It is preferable to avoid a main motion containing a negative statement.
D. They may be proposed even if they present the same question that was previously rejected during the same session.

(10.16)

Answer 16

D. They may be proposed even if they present the same question that was previously rejected during the same session.

Question 17

Main motions are not in order which

A. conflict with national laws.
B. conflict with or present the same question as one which has been temporarily but not finally disposed of.
C. propose action outside the scope of the organization’s bylaws or charter unless authorized by a two-thirds vote.
D. All of the above

(10.17)

Answer 17

D. All of the above

Question 18

After a main motion has been made and before the question has been stated by the chair,

A. any member can rise and informally suggest changes to the maker of the motion.
B. the chairman can insist on changes and implement them without a vote.
C. changes are not allowed because the motion is the property of the assembly.
D. any member can make changes without the permission of the maker of the motion, since it is not the property of the assembly.

(10.18)

Answer 18

A. any member can rise and informally suggest changes to the maker of the motion.

Question 19

After a question has been stated by the chair, the maker of the motion may seek to modify it by requesting

A. that an amendment be accepted by the chairman without a vote of the assembly.
B. unanimous consent to do so.
C. approval by a two-thirds vote of the assembly.
D, a Question of Privilege.

(10.19)

Answer 19

B. unanimous consent to do so.

Question 20

If it appears that a motion will require time or study to perfect, it would be appropriate for a member to make a motion to

A. Postpone to a Certain Time.
B. Postpone Indefinitely.
C. Commit.
D. Amend

(10.20)

Answer 20

C. Commit.

Question 21

Assume that a main motion is pending and an amendment is made and seconded. Then another member moves to refer the main motion and the amendment to a committee. Which motion would be voted on first?

A. Main Motion
B. Amendment
C. Refer to a Committee
D. None of the above

(10.21)

Answer 21

C. Refer to a Committee

Question 22

When a main motion and a motion to postpone the main question indefinitely are pending, the first vote is taken on the

A. main motion.
B. motion to postpone indefinitely.
C. amendment.
D None of the above. The chair makes the decision which is dependent on the worth of each amendment.

(10.22)

Answer 22

B. motion to postpone indefinitely.

Question 23

Main motions can be brought up even though another motion is pending by proposing a motion to

A. Recess.
B. Move the Previous Question.
C. Call for the Orders of the Day.
D. Rescind.

(10.23)

Answer 23

C. Call for the Orders of the Day.

Question 24

After debate seems to have ended on a main motion, the chairman makes sure that no one else wishes to speak by asking

A. “Are there any questions?”
B. “Are you ready for the question?”
C. “Are there any questions that members wish to ask the maker of the motion?”
D. the maker of the motion for permission to take a voice vote.

(10.24)

Answer 24

B. “Are you ready for the question?”

Question 25

What is the expression that is used to indicate that members will be contacted regarding the fact that a specific motion will be brought up at a meeting?

A. Rescind
B. Ratification
C. Reconsider
D. Previous Notice

(10.25)

Answer 25

D. Previous Notice

Question 26

Motions such as Rescind, Amend Somethign Previously Adopted, and Discharge a Committee, if they are to be adopted by only a majority vote, require

A. approval by the chairman.
B. a recommendation from a special committee.
C. previous notice.
D. All of the above

(10.26)

Answer 26

C. previous notice.

Question 27

The adoption of special rules of order requires

A. a majority vote of the members present.
B. a two-thirds vote.
C. previous notice.
D. previous notice and two-thirds vote.

(10.27)

Answer 27

D. previous notice and two-thirds vote.

Question 28

Previous notice may be given

A. only be members of the executive board.
B. by charter members.
C. by any member present at a meeting.
D. by anyone present at a meeting.

(10.28)

Answer 28

C. by any member present at a meeting.

Question 29

Previous notice for certain motions can be given orally at a meeting

A. and may interrupt a speaker.
B. when no question is pending.
C. after the chairman has declared the meeting adjourned.
D. after the chair has stated a motion.

(10.29)

Answer 29

B. when no question is pending.

Question 30

Previous notice can be

A. given orally if necessary at a meeting when a motion is pending.
B. given orally when another member has the floor but has not begun to speak.
C. sent by mail.
D. All of the above

(10.30)

Answer 30

D. All of the above

Question 31

The motion to Ratify is a (an)

A. subsidiary motion.
B. privileged motion.
C. main motion.
D. incidental main motion.

(10.31)

Answer 31

D. incidental main motion.

Question 32

The motion to Ratify is a motion to

A. delay action.
B. reconsider previous action.
C. repeal previous action.
D. confirm.

(10.32)

Answer 32

D. confirm.

Question 33

The motion to Ratify

A. can be made when no quorum is present.
B. is generally made by a member who voted on the prevailing side.
C. if adopted, makes valid any action that has already been taken.
D. can be made only if a main motion is pending.

(10.33)

Answer 33

C. if adopted, makes valid any action that has already been taken.

Question 34

The motion to Ratify should not be used to confirm

A. action of a local unit which requires approval of the National organization.
B. a voice vote election when a ballot vote is required.
C. emergency action taken when no quorum is present.
D. emergency action by a committee in excess of their instructions.

(10.34)

Answer 34

B. a voice vote election when a ballot vote is required.

Question 35

If a group takes action on an item of emergency without a quorum being present, it can be approved by a motion to Ratify which

A. needs no second.
B. is undebatable.
C. opens the question to debate again.
D. requires a two-thirds vote to be adopted.

(10.35)

Answer 35

C. opens the question to debate again.