A member who wishes to make a motion must rise in his place, and address the chair—“Mr. Chairman” or “Mr. President,” as the case may be. He is not to speak further until the chair has “recognized” him by pronouncing his name.
Having been recognized, he proceeds to make his motion after this form: “I move that this society attend in a body the Fourth of July exercises at Riverside Park.”
In Congress, motions are not, as a rule, seconded; but in most voluntary organizations, the chairman—except in matters of routine business—waits, before stating the question, until some one says, “I second the motion.” That, a member can do without rising. If no one offers to second the motion, the chairman need not state the motion at all, and often refuses to do so.
As soon as a motion has been seconded, however, the presiding officer repeats it verbatim, as it was made. If the motion is long and complicated, he may call for it in writing; and it is always a good plan for one who intends to propose a motion of importance to write it out before he rises to offer it.
Until a motion has been seconded, the maker may withdraw it. Until it has been stated by the chair, he may withdraw it with the consent of the seconder; but after it has been stated, it can be withdrawn only by formal vote of the meeting.
The question having been stated, the chairman goes on to say, “Are you ready for the question?” That opens the floor to debate. If no one offers to speak, the chairman calls for the vote:
“All in favor of the motion will say, ‘Aye,’ all opposed, ‘No.’ The ayes” (or noes) “have it, and the motion is carried” (or is lost, as the case may be).
In case of doubt, the chair may order the ayes and noes to rise in turn, and remain standing until they are counted. And if any member does not agree with the chair’s decision of the vote by voice, he may “doubt” it. Then a rising vote must be taken.
In most cases, however, there will be debate. The chairman will then recognize the first member to rise, who may speak as long as the rules of the particular body permit. The maker of a motion has, by custom, the first opportunity to speak to it, if he wishes to do so, and usually, also, the right to close the debate with another speech.