Point of order

If there is any breach of the meeting's standing orders, a participant may rise and call point of order. The Chair is required to immediately stop the speaker and adjudicate on the matter.

Point of orderCommon points of order involve the use of inappropriate language, digressing, or altering or omitting standard procedure such as the order of speaking or the order of business.

If the Chair agrees with the point, the speaker is asked to speak more appropriately or cease speaking. If the Chair disagrees with the ruling, the speaker continues.

In general, the Chair's authority is absolute and their rulings final. However, if a participant disagrees with the Chair's ruling in relation to a point of order, they can move a motion of dissent.

Motion of dissentA motion of dissent requires no seconder, and the Chair must immediately stand down. Someone else then takes the chair for discussion on the motion of dissent. The Chair is given the opportunity to explain their decision and the mover also puts forward their reason for dissent. The meeting then votes on the motion: if the motion is upheld, the Chair must reverse their decision. If the motion is lost, the meeting continues as before.

What other procedural motions should a Chair be aware of? Make a list of these, and provide a brief description of each.

Post your response to the ValleyView Meeting room, under the topic Procedural motions, and compare it with others you find there. Did you miss anything?

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