CP CP Debate & Amendment Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under RONR, how many times may a member speak to the same question during one day without special permission?
- Once
- Twice (Correct answer)
- Three times
- Unlimited, subject to the chair's discretion
Correct answer: Twice
RONR limits each member to two speeches on the same question on the same day, each not exceeding ten minutes, unless the rules are suspended.
Question 2: A 'primary amendment' amends:
- Another amendment already pending
- The main motion directly (Correct answer)
- The governing documents
- The agenda
Correct answer: The main motion directly
A primary amendment modifies the main motion directly; a secondary amendment modifies the primary amendment.
Question 3: Under RONR, how many levels of amendment may be pending simultaneously?
- One level only
- Two levels (primary and secondary) (Correct answer)
- Three levels
- Unlimited levels
Correct answer: Two levels (primary and secondary)
Only two levels of amendment may be pending at once: a primary amendment to the main motion and a secondary amendment to the primary amendment.
Question 4: A 'friendly amendment' under strict parliamentary procedure is:
- Automatically adopted if the mover consents
- Not recognized—all amendments must follow regular procedure (Correct answer)
- Allowed only in committee, not the full assembly
- Adopted by unanimous consent
Correct answer: Not recognized—all amendments must follow regular procedure
Strict parliamentary law does not recognize 'friendly amendments'; once a motion is before the assembly, it belongs to the assembly and requires formal amendment procedure.
Question 5: The chair must rule an amendment out of order when it is:
- Too long to read aloud
- Contrary to the motion's stated purpose
- Not germane to the main motion (Correct answer)
- Opposed by more than one-third of members
Correct answer: Not germane to the main motion
An amendment must be germane—directly related to the subject of the motion it amends; non-germane amendments are ruled out of order.
Question 6: What is 'perfecting an amendment' in parliamentary practice?
- Editing an amendment for spelling and grammar after adoption
- Amending a primary amendment with a secondary amendment to improve it before voting (Correct answer)
- Having the parliamentarian review amendment language
- Presenting the clean version of a motion after multiple amendments
Correct answer: Amending a primary amendment with a secondary amendment to improve it before voting
Perfecting an amendment means using a secondary amendment to improve the primary amendment before the assembly votes on the primary amendment.
CP CP Debate & Amendment Procedures 1
Under RONR, how many times may a member speak to the same question during one day without special permission?