Robert's Rules of Order - Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies by Henry M. Robert
page 19 of 154 (12%)
page 19 of 154 (12%)
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committees [§ 30] or communications to the assembly; and in many other
cases in the ordinary routine of business, the formality of a motion is dispensed with; but should any member object, a regular motion becomes necessary. 2. Before a member can make a motion or address the assembly upon any question, it is necessary that he obtain the floor; that is, he must rise and address the presiding officer === Page 18 ============================================================ by his title, thus: "Mr. Chairman" [§ 34], who will then announce the member's name. Where two or more rise at the same time the Chairman must decide who is entitled to the floor, which he does by announcing that member's name. From this decision, however, an appeal [§ 14] can he taken; though if there is any doubt as to who is entitled to the floor, the Chairman can at the first allow the assembly to decide the question by a vote--the one getting the largest vote being entitled to the floor. The member upon whose motion the subject under discussion was brought before the assembly (or, in case of a committee's report, the one who presented the report) is entitled to be recognized as having the floor (if he has not already had it during that discussion), notwithstanding another member may have first risen and addressed the Chair. If the Chairman rise to speak before the floor has been assigned to any one, it is the duty of a member who may have previously risen to take his seat. [See Decorum in Debate, § 36.] When a member has obtained the floor, he cannot be cut off from |
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