Parliamentary Procedure

Question 1

A practice in which absent members are permitted to vote either by mail or by proxy.

Answer 1

Absentee voting

Question 2

To desist voluntarily from voting on a question.

Answer 2

Abstain

Question 3

An oral vote, often unanimous, usually taken after the sense of a meeting is clear and unmistakable.

Answer 3

Acclamation

Question 4

Any motion that is applied to the principal question, and which goes with the latter when it is postponed or referred to a committee.

Answer 4

Adhering motion

Question 5

To terminate a meeting officially.

Answer 5

Adjourn

Question 6

Adjournment without day; it terminates a convention or conference.

Answer 6

Adjourn sine die

Question 7

A continuation of a regular or special meeting; it is legally a part of the same meeting.

Answer 7

Adjourned meeting

Question 8

To vote to accept or approve.

Answer 8

Adopt

Question 9

A “yes” vote to a question; an agreement to its acceptance.

Answer 9

Affirmative vote

Question 10

An official list containing the items of business to be considered at a meeting.

Answer 10

Agenda

Question 11

To alter or modify a motion or question by due formal procedure.

Answer 11

Amend

Question 12

To cancel or to render void an action previously taken.

Answer 12

Annul

Question 13

An application to the assembly to decide whether the decision of the presiding officer on a particular question is right or wrong.

Answer 13

Appeal

Question 14

A gathering of persons with a common purpose,; whether organized or not; it includes mass meetings as well as formally established organizations.

Answer 14

Assembly

Question 15

An affirmative vote. It corresponds to “Yes” or “Yea.”

Answer 15

Aye

Question 16

A ticket or a piece of paper used in voting secrecy. It also refers to the method of voting, or a round of voting, as being elected on the second or third ballot.

Answer 16

Ballot

Question 17

A principal group that manages the affairs of an organization; it goes by different names, like board of directors, board of trustees, board of governors, and the like.

Answer 17

Board of management

Question 18

Any matter brought before the assembly for consideration.

Answer 18

Business

Question 19

A set of rules of an organization, ranking next to the constitution in authority and above the standing rules.

Answer 19

By-laws

Question 20

same as agenda

Answer 20

Calendar of Business

Question 21

A demand that the assembly conform to the order of business.

Answer 21

Call for orders of the day

Question 22

To bring the assembly to attention for the start of business.

Answer 22

Call to order

Question 23

One who is nominated or who offers himself as an aspirant for office or membership.

Answer 23

Candidate

Question 24

To review the election returns.

Answer 24

Canvass

Question 25

Approved by the necessary vote.

Answer 25

Carried

Question 26

A meeting of leaders of a party or faction to decide on policies or candidates for an office.

Answer 26

Caucus

Question 27

The presiding officer of the assembly.

Answer 27

Chair

Question 28

Any development in the deliberations of the assembly that may cause it to reasonably take a different position on a question to warrant its renewal.

Answer 28

Change in parliamentary situation

Question 29

A request to allow a member to change or alter his vote on a decided question.

Answer 29

Change vote

Question 30

The articles or certificate of incorporation taken in connection with the law under which a corporation is organized; also the authorization from a central or parent organization to establish a branch or chapter.

Answer 30

Charter

Question 31

To terminate all discussions on a question and to have it voted upon immediately.

Answer 31

Close debate

Question 32

To refer a question to a committee for study, investigation, or some other purpose.

Answer 32

Commit

Question 33

A person or a group of persons appointed or elected to investigate, report, or act for the organization.

Answer 33

Committee

Question 34

Group appointed or elected to take charge of elections in an organization.

Answer 34

Committee of tellers

Question 35

The entire assembly sitting and acting as in a committee for the informal and preliminary consideration of a question or questions.

Answer 35

Committee of the whole

Question 36

A committee to whom financial matters are referred.

Answer 36

Committee on ways and means

Question 37

The system of law developed in England, based on customs and court decisions. It is often spoken of as the unwritten law.

Answer 37

Common law

Question 38

The system of rules developed for the government of deliberative, non-legislative bodies.

Answer 38

Common parliamentary procedure

Question 39

A meeting for consultation or discussion.

Answer 39

Conference

Question 40

Deliberation and examination of a question before deciding on it.

Answer 40

Consideration

Question 41

A document containing fundamental principles in accordance with which an organized body is governed and administered.

Answer 41

Constitution

Question 42

To meet together or to cause a body to assemble for a meeting or a similar purpose.

Answer 42

Convene

Question 43

A meeting or assembly of delegates or representatives of associated groups for a common purpose.

Answer 43

Convention

Question 44

A certificate or document attesting to a person’s right to attend a meeting or convention in representation of a member or a group.

Answer 44

Credential

Question 45

Capable of being discussed.

Answer 45

Debatable

Question 46

Discussion on a question or subject before the assembly.

Answer 46

Debate

Question 47

A member authorized to represent an organized group and empowered to act for it.

Answer 47

Delegate

Question 48

An assembly or body which transacts business by discussion of questions and which makes decisions by vote.

Answer 48

Deliberative body

Question 49

Strategic devices used to delay, gain time, defer decision on a question before the assembly.

Answer 49

Dilatory tactics

Question 50

One of a body of persons directing the affairs of an organization.

Answer 50

Director

Question 51

A term used to describe a situation where the required number of persons present at the beginning of a meeting gradually diminishes as some members leave.

Answer 51

Disappearing quorum

Question 52

To release or excuse a committee from considering a question; to remove the question from its jurisdiction.

Answer 52

Discharge a committee

Question 53

Consideration of a question by the oral presentation of views of different members.

Answer 53

Discussion

Question 54

To remove a question or business, either temporarily or permanently, from the consideration of the assembly.

Answer 54

Dispose of a question

Question 55

To terminate its official life or existence.

Answer 55

Dissolve an organization

Question 56

The act of counting or recounting the members voting on a question.

Answer 56

Division of the assembly

Question 57

Splitting up of a lengthy or complex question into two or more independent parts for individual consideration.

Answer 57

Division of the question

Question 58

To admit or receive a motion or an amendment.

Answer 58

Entertain

Question 59

Authority of a person to hold an office by virtue of his official position.

Answer 59

Ex-officio

Question 60

The principal committee of an organization; it usually conducts business for the organization during intervals between meetings.

Answer 60

Executive Board

Question 61

To rescind and express strong disapproval to an action previously taken by the assembly by erasing or blotting it out from the records of the organization.

Answer 61

Expunge

Question 62

To employ dilatory tactics, such as speaking endlessly, to obstruct or prevent action on a question.

Answer 62

Filibuster

Question 63

A method of voting where each item is treated and voted upon independently, one after the other.

Answer 63

Filling blanks

Question 64

Figuratively, the right of a member to speak to the assembly. Once a member is recognized by the Chair, he is said to have the floor, and is the only one allowed to speak.

Answer 64

Floor

Question 65

A mallet used by the presiding officer to open and close meetings and to maintain order.

Answer 65

Gavel

Question 66

Also called “unanimous consent,” it is an informal method of disposing of routine and generally favored questions by the Chair; the assembly’s approval is taken for granted, and no formal vote is taken on the question, unless an objection is raised.

Answer 66

General consent

Question 67

Pertaining or relating directly to, or having direct bearing upon a subject. It is applied to describe the relationship of amendments to the principal question or amendments of the first degree.

Answer 67

Germane

Question 68

A meeting to listen to ideas or arguments for the formulation of decisions or recommendations in connection with a question before the assembly.

Answer 68

Hearing

Question 69

One upon whom is bestowed office or membership by reason of his eminence or position.

Answer 69

Honorary officer or member

Question 70

A vote which cannot be counted because of its failure to comply with some rules of the organization.

Answer 70

Illegal vote

Question 71

When several questions are pending, the one last proposed is the immediate pending question; it must, however, be decided ahead of the others.

Answer 71

Immediate pending question

Question 72

When a person is nominated or elected in his :,absence, he is nominated or elected in absentia.

Answer 72

In absentia

Question 73

Motions which arise incidentally out of a question or business pending before the assembly.

Answer 73

Incidental motions

Question 74

Impropriety of behavior. Speech or action that violates the rules of parliamentary procedure or the conventions of civility.

Answer 74

Indecorum

Question 75

A method of deliberating upon questions without observing the rules of formal debate.

Answer 75

Informal consideration

Question 76

In conformity or in accordance with parliamentary rules.

Answer 76

In order

Question 77

A question directed to the Chair by a member.

Answer 77

Inquiry

Question 78

Applied to propositions which can be stated only in one way, and are, therefore, not capable of being amended or modified.

Answer 78

Invariable form

Question 79

Not pertinent or not applicable to a particular question.

Answer 79

Irrelevant

Question 80

To defer action on a question until a later but undetermined time.

Answer 80

Lay on the table

Question 81

A valid vote.

Answer 81

Legal vote

Question 82

A representative body with constitutional authority to enact laws.

Answer 82

Legislative body

Question 83

restrict the discussion on a question, either by limiting the number of speakers, the speaking time of each, or the time allotted for discussions.

Answer 83

Limit debate

Question 84

A practice by which some members agree to assist others in the passage of certain motions in consideration of similar assistance from them in return; used opprobriously.

Answer 84

Log-rolling

Question 85

A subject formally proposed to the assembly for its consideration.

Answer 85

Main motion

Question 86

The greater or larger part of a group or number; also the ruling party or the group whose votes prevail in the decision of a question

Answer 86

Majority

Question 87

The larger part of the votes cast; usually, one-half plus one of the legal votes, unless otherwise defined,

Answer 87

Majority vote

Question 88

A general assembly open to everyone.

Answer 88

Mass meeting

Question 89

An assemblage of the members of an organization during which there is unbroken deliberation except for brief periods of recess; it is terminated upon it’s adjournment.

Answer 89

Meeting

Question 90

A member who has satisfactorily complied with all his obligations in the organization.

Answer 90

Member in good standing

Question 91

The smaller number of two aggregates usually less than half of the members or votes. Also the group having less than the number of votes necessary to control decisions of the assembly.

Answer 91

Minority

Question 92

The official record of the motions presented to the assembly and its actions thereon. Generally, a record of the deliberations of the assembly.

Answer 92

Minutes

Question 93

A formal proposal in a deliberative assembly.

Answer 93

Motion

Question 94

A vote against a proposition.

Answer 94

Negative vote

Question 95

Any question brought before the assembly other than an unfinished matter or question.

Answer 95

New business

Question 96

The formal proposal of a person as a candidate for an office.

Answer 96

Nomination

Question 97

Formal notification of a fact or an intention, served on the members by the organization, or by a member on the assembly.

Answer 97

Notice

Question 98

To oppose discussion on or consideration of a main motion.

Answer 98

Object to consideration

Question 99

A regularly organized party, usually opposed to the policies of the party in power.

Answer 99

Opposition

Question 100

Program of business for a particular meeting in which the questions to be taken up are arranged in the order of their consideration.

Answer 100

Order of business

Question 101

Not in conformity with, or in violation of parliamentary rules.

Answer 101

Out of order

Question 102

One skilled in parliamentary practice; an adviser on parliamentary procedure.

Answer 102

Parliamentarian

Question 103

A book or manual formally adopted by an organization as its official guide on parliamentary procedure, to govern all matters not covered by the Constitution, by-laws, and other rules of the organization.

Answer 103

Parliamentary authority

Question 104

The body of rules and precedents by which deliberative assemblies govern their proceedings

Answer 104

Parliamentary law

Question 105

Customary methods of parliamentary procedure that have become established as rules.

Answer 105

Parliamentary practice

Question 106

The manner or method of conducting business in a deliberative assembly in accordance with parliamentary law and practices.

Answer 106

Parliamentary procedure

Question 107

Any motion or question that has not yet been disposed of by the assembly.

Answer 107

Pending question

Question 108

Private material gain which a member may derive from the decision on a question by the assembly.

Answer 108

Personal interest

Question 109

The right of a person as a member of an organization.

Answer 109

Personal privilege

Question 110

A vote in excess of those for any other proposition, or candidate for the same office, especially over the number for the next opponent; it may be less than a majority.

Answer 110

Plurality vote

Question 111

Technically, a motion to call attention to an error in the observance or enforcement of parliamentary rules or those of the organization it is, at the same time, a demand that such error be corrected.

Answer 111

Point of order

Question 112

Voting or registration of votes at an election; the votes thus registered or voted; also the place where they are registered or voted; used in the plural.

Answer 112

Poll

Question 113

To defer consideration of a question until a specific time.

Answer 113

Postpone definitely

Question 114

To defer indefinitely the consideration of a question; it is tantamount to the suppression of the question.

Answer 114

Postpone indefinitely

Question 115

Another form of referring to the motion to lay on the table.

Answer 115

Postpone temporarily

Question 116

The introductory part of a constitution; also the introduction preceding a resolution, stating its purpose or the reason for its proposal.

Answer 116

Preamble

Question 117

The priority of one motion over another in proposal and consideration.

Answer 117

Precedence

Question 118

Customary title of heads of organizations.

Answer 118

President

Question 119

One who presides over a meeting, like the president, chairman, speaker, or moderator. The term, however, is ascribed to any member who, without being elected to any office, is called upon to preside over the proceedings of the assembly.

Answer 119

Presiding officer

Question 120

A motion to close debate on a question and to have it voted upon forthwith. It is also referred to as the motion to vote immediately.

Answer 120

Previous question

Question 121

Any question involving the right of the assembly.

Answer 121

Privilege of the assembly

Question 122

The class of motions having the highest precedence or priority.

Answer 122

Privileged motions or questions

Question 123

Any motion that deals with parliamentary procedure as distinguished from one involving a substantive proposition.

Answer 123

Procedural motion

Question 124

Any development during the consideration of a question that would reasonably justify the renewal or reintroduction of a motion. A change in parliamentary situation.

Answer 124

Progress in debate

Question 125

One who proposes or introduces a motion for the consideration of the assembly. The same as proponent.

Answer 125

Proposer

Question 126

Any question brought before the assembly for its consideration; it may be a motion, resolution, report, or other kind of proposal.

Answer 126

Proposition

Question 127

Any signed statement authorizing a person to vote or to act for and in behalf of another; also the person so deputized.

Answer 127

Proxy

Question 128

The act of submitting a question to a vote; the taking of a vote on a question.

Answer 128

Putting the question

Question 129

Any proposition submitted to the assembly for consideration.

Answer 129

Question

Question 130

A motion, actually a request, involving the rights, comfort, security, or convenience of the assembly or of any of its members.

Answer 130

Question of privilege

Question 131

The number of members required by the rules of an organization to be resent at a meeting for the valid transaction of business.

Answer 131

Quorum

Question 132

Motion to allow one to read a paper or of document as part of a speech or debate.

Answer 132

Read papers

Question 133

A short break or brief intermission during a meeting.

Answer 133

Recess

Question 134

Formal acknowledgment by the Chair indicating that a member has the floor.

Answer 134

Recognition

Question 135

To refer back a question to the same committee or to refer it to another one.

Answer 135

Recommit

Question 136

A motion to rescind the action of the assembly on a previously decided question, and to have it rediscussed and voted upon anew.

Answer 136

Reconsider

Question 137

To submit a question to a committee for study or other action; the same as the motion to commit.

Answer 137

Refer to a committee

Question 138

A standing or regular committee in a convention to which are referred all motions dealing with a particular subject.

Answer 138

Reference committee

Question 139

Any committee created by the by-laws of an organization to which questions dwelling on specific subjects are referred for study or action.

Answer 139

Regular committee

Question 140

Meetings held at regular intervals as provided in the by-laws of the organization.

Answer 140

Regular meetings

Question 141

To present the same motion for the second or subsequent time at the same meeting or session, and for the same purpose.

Answer 141

Renew a motion

Question 142

To annul or void a previous action or decision.

Answer 142

Repeal

Question 143

A mode of repeal by which a subsequent measure annuls a previous one if both deal with the same subject and contain conflicting provisions; opposite of express repeal.

Answer 143

Repeal by implication

Question 144

To repeal or nullify.

Answer 144

Rescind

Question 145

A formal written proposal submitted to the assembly for consideration; the same as motion.

Answer 145

Resolution

Question 146

Debate which is limited only to certain phases of a question, as distinguished from a full debate.

Answer 146

Restricted debate

Question 147

To take up for consideration a question which has been previously laid on the table or postponed temporarily. It is another term for the motion to take from the table.

Answer 147

Resume consideration

Question 148

A method of voting by which members are asked to stand to be counted.

Answer 148

Rising vote

Question 149

A part of the order of business, consisting of the calling of a list of names of the members to find out who are present or absent.

Answer 149

Roll call

Question 150

Another method of voting by which members signify their vote as each name is called.

Answer 150

Roll call vote

Question 151

Decision of the Chair on a question or a point of order.

Answer 151

Ruling

Question 152

An indication of approval or expression of support to a motion or question as a necessary preliminary to further discussion of the proposition or to a vote on it.

Answer 152

Second

Question 153

An officer of the organization or of any of its committee whose principal function is to take and keep full record of the minutes of its meetings.

Answer 153

Secretary

Question 154

A minor officer of the organization whose duty is to maintain order in an assembly, under the direction of the presiding officer.

Answer 154

Sergeat-at-arms

Question 155

The procedure of considering any report, resolution, document, or paper by sections or paragraphs.

Answer 155

Seriatim

Question 156

A committee created to perform a special task for the assembly; it is automatically dissolved after the completion of its work.

Answer 156

Special committee

Question 157

A meeting called to consider certain specific business as set forth in the call.

Answer 157

Special meeting

Question 158

A class of main motions but with specific names and special rules, unlike general main motions.

Answer 158

Specific main motion

Question 159

Another name for a regular committee.

Answer 159

Standing committee

Question 160

Rules formulated and adopted by an organization for its particular needs.

Answer 160

Standing rules

Question 161

A law enacted by a legislative body.

Answer 161

Statute

Question 162

Any motion designed to modify or dispose of a question, temporarily or permanently.

Answer 162

Subsidiary motion

Question 163

A motion which presents a concrete proposal for the consideration of the assembly; it is the opposite of procedural motion.

Answer 163

Substantive motion

Question 164

To cause the defeat of a motion without the benefit of a vote.

Answer 164

Suppress a motion

Question 165

Motion to set aside a rule of the organization or to make it temporarily inoperative.

Answer 165

Suspend the rules

Question 166

To resume consideration of a question previously laid on the table.

Answer 166

Take from the table

Question 167

Anything´ on which the score of an election is recorded, usually by the system of notches.

Answer 167

Tally

Question 168

A member of a committee assigned to conduct an election by ballot.

Answer 168

Teller

Question 169

A vote in which the affirmative and negative are equal in number; a deadlock.

Answer 169

Tie vote

Question 170

A decision without any adverse or dissenting vote.

Answer 170

Unanimous vote

Question 171

An informal method of disposing of routine and generally favored motions or questions; the same as general consent.

Answer 171

Unanimous consent

Question 172

Any business that has been left unterminated at, or postponed from a previous meeting

Answer 172

Unfinished business

Question 173

A vote taken orally or by word of mouth with those voting affirmatively, saying “Aye” and those voting negatively, saying “No.”

Answer 173

Viva voce vote

Question 174

Any organization that is nongovernmental in character and which members may join by choice; also known as common organization.

Answer 174

Voluntary organization

Question 175

Motion to close debate and take a vote on the question at once; also known as motion for the previous question.

Answer 175

Vote immediately

Question 176

Act of expressing disgust over the proceedings in a deliberative body by leaving the session hall before adjournment.

Answer 176

Walkout

Question 177

Expressions used when voting by roll call; “yea” expresses affirmation, “nay” means dissent.

Answer 177

Yeas and nays