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Phrases for the Presiding Officer

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Based on Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition)

Side A

1. OPEN THE MEETING
   
   
2. RECOGNIZE A MEMBER
   "The chair recognizes . . . ."
   
   
3. NO SECOND TO A MOTION (following request by chair "Is there a second?")
   
   
4. STATE THE QUESTION ON A MOTION
   "It is moved and seconded that [or "to"] . . ."
   
   
5. STATE THE QUESTION ON A RESOLUTION
   
   
6. STATEMENT WHEN DEBATE APPEARS TO HAVE ENDED
   "Are you ready for the question?"
   
   
7. TAKE A VOICE VOTE
   
   
8. TAKE A RISING VOTE
   "Those in favor of the motion to . . . will rise [or, "stand"]. . . . Be seated. Those opposed will rise. . . . Be seated."
   
   
9. TAKE A VOTE BY SHOW OF HANDS
   
   
10. ANNOUNCE THE RESULT OF A VOICE VOTE
    "The ayes have it and the motion is adopted [or "carried"]."
    Or, "The noes have it and the motion is lost."
    
    
11. ANNOUNCE THE RESULT OF AN UNCOUNTED RISING VOTE/SHOW OF HANDS
    
    
12. ANNOUNCE THE RESULT OF A COUNTED RISING VOTE
    "There are 8 in the affirmative and 4 in the negative. The affirmative has it and the motion is adopted." (or)
    "There are 4 in the affirmative and 8 in the negative. The negative has it and the motion is lost."
    
    
13. APPROVE THE MINUTES
    
    
14. ANNOUNCE THE NEXT PIECE OF BUSINESS
    "The next item of business is . . . ." or "The next business in order is . . ."
    (NEVER say "The next order of business.")
    
    
15. RULE A MOTION OUT OF ORDER AND THEN A MEMBER OUT OF ORDER
    
    

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Side B

1. OPEN THE MEETING
   "The meeting will come to order," or, "The meeting will be in order."
   
   
2. RECOGNIZE A MEMBER
   
   
3. NO SECOND TO A MOTION (following request by chair "Is there a second?")
   "Since there is no second, the motion is not before this meeting. The next item of business is . . . " or, "Is there any further business?"
   
   
4. STATE THE QUESTION ON A MOTION
   
   
5. STATE THE QUESTION ON A RESOLUTION
   "It is moved and seconded to adopt the resolution just read."
   
   
6. STATEMENT WHEN DEBATE APPEARS TO HAVE ENDED
   
   
7. TAKE A VOICE VOTE
   
   "The question is on the adoption of the motion to [or "that"] . . . Those in favor of the motion, say aye. Those opposed, say no."
   
   
8. TAKE A RISING VOTE
   
   
9. TAKE A VOTE BY SHOW OF HANDS
   "The question is on the adoption of the motion to [or "that"] . . . All those in favor of the motion will raise the right hand. . . . Lower hands. Those opposed will raise the right hand. . . . Lower hands."
   
   
10. ANNOUNCE THE RESULT OF A VOICE VOTE
    
    
11. ANNOUNCE THE RESULT OF AN UNCOUNTED RISING VOTE/SHOW OF HANDS
    "The affirmative has it and the motion is adopted." Or, "The negative has it and the motion is lost."
    
    
12. ANNOUNCE THE RESULT OF A COUNTED RISING VOTE
    
    
13. APPROVE THE MINUTES
    "Are there any corrections to the minutes? If there are no corrections [or "no further corrections"], the minutes stand [or "are"] approved [or "approved as read," or "approved as corrected"]."
    
    
14. ANNOUNCE THE NEXT PIECE OF BUSINESS
    
    
15. RULE A MOTION OUT OF ORDER AND THEN A MEMBER OUT OF ORDER
    "The chair rules that the motion is out of order [or "not in order"] because . . ." "The member is out of order and will be seated."

Charts and articles are intended to provide general information on parliamentary procedure and are not legal advice or a legal opinion.