27: Division of a Question

AIP Chapter #71

September 20, 200
27: Division of a Question: An In!i"enta# $otion
When a motion relating to a single subject contains several parts, each of which is
capable of standing as a complete proposition if the others are removed, the parts can
be separated to be considered and voted on as if they were distinct questions by
adoption of the motion to divide the question. (P. 2!"
!. #ust be seconded, can be amended, cannot be debated, previous question is in
order, and requires a majority to adopt.
2. $uring the amendment of a motion, a motion to divide the main question cannot
be made. %he main motion can be committed, postponed, or laid on the table.
&. %his motion is in order when a motion, the amendment it see's to divide, or
Postponed (ndefinitely is immediately pending, even if Previous )uestion has
been ordered.
*. %hough this motion is generally adopted by unanimous consent, another member
can propose a different division. $ifferent proposals should be treated as filling
the blan's (voted on in the order they were proposed".
+. %ote: ,nce the motion to divide a question is made, the assembly must vote on
whether to divide the question, and then on each separate part as if each were a
separate motion.
&'amp#e of motions that !annot be "ivi"e":
- motion (!" to establish a committee, (2" to study an issue.
&'amp#e of a motion that must be "ivi"e":
%he content of a consent calendar (one or more issues can be removed upon the
demand of a single member without the need to move for division of the
question".
(orm:
( move to divide the motion into 2 parts as follows .
( move to divide the question so as to consider separately the part about .
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2): Consi"eration b* Para+raph ,Seriatim-
AIP Chapter #71
September 20, 200
2): Consi"eration b* Para+raph or Seriatim: An In!i"enta# $otion
- motion consisting of a series of paragraphs, articles, bylaws, or sections that are not
totally separate questions can be considered by opening the different parts to debate
and amendment separately, without a division of the question. (P. 2"
!. #ust be seconded, can be amended, cannot be debated, previous question is in
order, and requires a majority to adopt.
2. $uring the amendment of a motion, a motion to consider the main motion by
paragraph cannot be made. %he main motion can be committed, postponed, or
laid on the table. - motion to Postpone (ndefinitely can be made but not debated
or vote upon until the paragraph5by5paragraph stage is completed (because
amendments ta'e precedence over Postpone (ndefinitely and the entire motion
needs to debated".
&. %his motion is in order when a motion, the amendment it see's to divide, or
Postponed (ndefinitely is immediately pending, even if Previous )uestion has
been ordered.
*. /imits on $ebate and Previous )uestion can apply to amendments or the entire
question, but not to individual paragraphs.
+. %ote: 6ach part can be debated and amended with a vote, but the part is not
adopted with a vote. %he entire series of parts is debated and amended as a
whole. (f there is a preamble, it is amended with a vote before the ne7t step.
,ne vote is ta'en to adopt the series of parts after all the amending and
debating. 8ormal limits on debate are applied only to each part, not for the whole
motion.
(orm9
( move that the motion be considered by paragraph (or, by seriatim".
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Dri##s on Sp#ittin+ a $otion into Parts
AIP Chapter #71
September 20, 200
(n a friendly association you could probably get any comple7 motion adopted without
splitting the motion. %hese drills review the valid ways a member may split a motion
according to 0obert (in an environment where only adherence to proper parliamentary
procedure will lead to adopting or defeating of the motion".
Step 1: (or ea!h of the fo##o.in+ a!tions, state if it .ou#" be in or"er to sp#it the
motion into parts/
Step 2: If so, state *our sp#it motion in *our o.n .or"s base" on the fo##o.in+:
0he "eman" of a sin+#e member,
A motion to "ivi"e the 1uestion,
A motion to !onsi"er b* seriatim
!. -ction9 %o save time, a motion is made to adopt several routine and non5
controversial, yet unrelated motions, at one time.
:tate your split motion in your own words.
2. -ction9 - motion is made to have a dinner party and schedule it for the *
th
of ;uly.
:tate your split motion in your own words.
&. -ction9 - motion is made to have a live band and to serve shrimp at the
1hristmas party.
:tate your split motion in your own words.
*. -ction9 - motion is made to alter the discount rates at each of !2 different store
branches.
:tate your split motion in your own words.
+. -ction9 -t the opening of a convention of delegates, the chair of the :tanding
0ules 1ommittee ma'es his report, and as is customary, a member moves to
adopt all the proposed standing rules.
:tate your split motion in your own words.
. -ction9 - motion is made to create a committee of + individuals and to assign that
committee the tas' of studying options for financing a new building.
:tate your split motion in your own words.
<. -ction9 %he notice for the amendment to a bylaw (consisting of an article with <
sections" has been properly given. - member moves to amend the bylaw.
:tate your split motion in your own words.
=. -ction9 - motion is made to sell more tic'ets to the dinner dance and to start the
dance one hour later than planned.
:tate your split motion in your own words.
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