CP Parliamentary Procedures & Rules 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under RONR, which type of vote is required to adopt a special rule of order?
- Simple majority
- Two-thirds vote with previous notice, or three-fourths vote without notice (Correct answer)
- Unanimous consent
- Majority of the entire membership
Correct answer: Two-thirds vote with previous notice, or three-fourths vote without notice
A special rule of order requires a two-thirds vote with previous notice or a three-fourths vote without notice to protect members' parliamentary rights.
Question 2: The term 'incidental motions' refers to motions that:
- Arise incidentally out of the business at hand and must be decided before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Are made occasionally rather than regularly
- Are lower in precedence than subsidiary motions
- Deal only with the conduct of members
Correct answer: Arise incidentally out of the business at hand and must be decided before proceeding
Incidental motions arise out of pending business or another motion and must be disposed of before the interrupted business continues.
Question 3: A Point of Order must be raised:
- Within 24 hours of the breach
- Immediately after the breach occurs, while it is still timely (Correct answer)
- At the next meeting
- Only by a member who did not vote on the matter
Correct answer: Immediately after the breach occurs, while it is still timely
A Point of Order must be raised promptly at the time the breach occurs; delay generally waives the right to object.
Question 4: Under the standard order of business in RONR, 'New Business' comes:
- Before Reports of Officers
- After Unfinished Business and General Orders (Correct answer)
- Immediately after the call to order
- Before Special Orders
Correct answer: After Unfinished Business and General Orders
In the standard RONR order of business, New Business follows Unfinished Business and General Orders.
Question 5: Which of the following describes 'general consent' (unanimous consent)?
- A vote requiring all members present to vote affirmatively
- A procedure allowing action without a formal vote when no objection is raised (Correct answer)
- Consent given by a general (large) majority
- An informal poll taken before a formal vote
Correct answer: A procedure allowing action without a formal vote when no objection is raised
General consent (unanimous consent) allows the assembly to act without a formal vote when no member objects, saving time on noncontroversial matters.
Question 6: The motion to Discharge a Committee removes the committee from further consideration of a matter and:
- Automatically refers the matter to another committee
- Returns the matter to the assembly for direct consideration (Correct answer)
- Tables the matter indefinitely
- Requires a new main motion to be introduced
Correct answer: Returns the matter to the assembly for direct consideration
Discharging a committee returns the subject matter directly to the assembly so it can act without waiting for the committee's report.
Question 7: When the chair states, 'The ayes have it and the motion is adopted,' a member who disagrees with the chair's count may call for:
- A Point of Information
- Division of the Assembly (Correct answer)
- Suspension of the Rules
- A Parliamentary Inquiry
Correct answer: Division of the Assembly
A call for Division of the Assembly demands a rising or counted vote to verify the result when a voice vote outcome is doubted.
CP Parliamentary Procedures & Rules 3
Under RONR, which type of vote is required to adopt a special rule of order?