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Rules against the Chair's Participation in Debate <br /> Robert's Rules of Order, 1 0 `h Ed., § 43 and Council Rule 4 -2(c) prohibits the <br /> Chair from participating in debate. Since the Chair of the Council is also a member of <br /> the Council, s /he has the right to debate as any other member. The position of Chair, <br /> however, requires impartiality. Therefore, while serving as Chair, a member should not <br /> violate his impartiality by participating in debate unless he first relinquishes the Chair. In <br /> any case, where another member has the floor and remains in order, the Chair cannot <br /> interrupt the speaker (§ 4, p.42). The Chair must never interrupt a speaker "simply <br /> because he knows more about the matter than the speaker does." Id. <br /> MAIN MOTIONS AND VOTING PROCEDURE <br /> What is a main motion? <br /> In the context of a Council meeting, a main motion is a motion to approve a <br /> resolution /bill or a motion to close file and accept report/nomination. Main motions are <br /> debatable and amendable. The maker of the main motion can withdraw the motion at any <br /> time, without the need for a 2 prior to a decision or an amendment. A main motion <br /> does not take precedence over any other motion, which means a main motion cannot be <br /> made while any other motion is pending. <br /> Common Procedural Motions <br /> After a main motion is made, the floor is open to make other procedural motions. <br /> Here is a list of common procedural motions, in ranking from most precedence to the <br /> least precedence (from highest to lowest) <br /> Lay on the Table: This motion is to allow the Council to set aside a motion in order to <br /> attend to more urgent business. Use this motion sparingly, only when there is a real <br /> urgency. Use Motion to Postpone to a Certain Time instead. <br /> -Need a 2nd <br /> -Not Debatable, Not Amendable <br /> - Majority Vote <br /> Member: I move to lay the motion on the table. <br /> Chair: For what purpose? <br /> If it is a legitimate request, proceed; if it is not, rule it out of order. <br /> Chair: Is there a second? <br /> 2 " Member: Second. <br /> If there is a second, move to voting procedure. <br /> 8 RONR (10 Ed.), § 10. <br /> 9 RONR (10` Ed.), § 17. <br /> 4 <br />