CP Meeting Management & Presiding Skills 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct order of precedence among these motions: (1) adjourn, (2) amend, (3) main motion, (4) previous question?
- 3, 2, 4, 1
- 1, 4, 2, 3 (Correct answer)
- 2, 3, 1, 4
- 4, 1, 3, 2
Correct answer: 1, 4, 2, 3
Adjourn outranks previous question, which outranks amend, which outranks the main motion in the order of precedence.
Question 2: A member moves to 'reconsider' a vote taken earlier in the same meeting. Who may make this motion?
- Any member present at the meeting
- Only a member who voted on the prevailing side (Correct answer)
- Only the maker of the original motion
- Any officer of the organization
Correct answer: Only a member who voted on the prevailing side
The motion to reconsider may only be made by someone who voted on the winning side of the original vote.
Question 3: When a presiding officer announces the result of a vote incorrectly, the proper remedy is:
- A point of order raised by any member (Correct answer)
- A motion to rescind the announced result
- A motion to reconsider the vote
- Filing a written objection with the secretary
Correct answer: A point of order raised by any member
A point of order is the correct tool to challenge an erroneous ruling or announcement by the chair.
Question 4: Which motion is used to bring a matter that was previously tabled back before the assembly?
- Motion to rescind
- Motion to take from the table (Correct answer)
- Motion to reconsider
- Motion to discharge a committee
Correct answer: Motion to take from the table
The motion to take from the table is the proper mechanism to resume consideration of a tabled motion.
Question 5: A presiding officer who announces 'the motion is adopted' before the required vote has been taken has:
- Exercised legitimate chair discretion
- Committed a reversible procedural error subject to a point of order (Correct answer)
- Validly concluded debate under the previous question rule
- Properly used the chair's prerogative to close discussion
Correct answer: Committed a reversible procedural error subject to a point of order
Declaring a motion adopted without a vote is a procedural error and any member may raise a point of order.
Question 6: The motion to 'limit debate' requires what vote threshold and what type of motion classification?
- Majority vote; subsidiary motion
- Two-thirds vote; privileged motion
- Two-thirds vote; subsidiary motion (Correct answer)
- Majority vote; privileged motion
Correct answer: Two-thirds vote; subsidiary motion
Limiting debate is a subsidiary motion that requires a two-thirds vote because it restricts a fundamental right of members.
Question 7: After a recess is declared, the chair calls the meeting back to order. At what point on the agenda does business resume?
- From the beginning of unfinished business
- Exactly where it was interrupted when recess was called (Correct answer)
- At the next scheduled agenda item
- With a new round of officer reports
Correct answer: Exactly where it was interrupted when recess was called
A recess is a temporary pause; business resumes at the exact point where it was interrupted.
CP Meeting Management & Presiding Skills 3
What is the correct order of precedence among these motions: (1) adjourn, (2) amend, (3) main motion, (4) previous question?