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Postpone Indefinitely

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Postpone Indefinitely

Rod G Davidson, Professional Registered Parliamentarian www.parlipro.org


Parliamentary Procedure: What does it mean and why is it important?

Puzzled by the motion to Postpone Indefinitely? After you complete this online module and take the short quiz to test your understanding and refresh your memory, you will feel more confident about this parliamentary puzzler. Here’s a chance to learn a thing or two about the motion to Postpone Indefinitely, courtesy of the public domain version of Robert's Rules of Order Revised, Fourth Edition.

The motion to Postpone Indefinitely takes precedence of nothing except the main motion to which it is applied, and yields to all privileged, incidental, and other subsidiary motions. It cannot be amended or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it except the previous question and motions limiting or extending the limits of debate. It is debatable and opens the main question to debate. It can be applied to nothing but main questions, which include questions of privilege and orders of the day after they are before the assembly for consideration. An affirmative vote on it may be reconsidered, but not a negative vote. If lost it cannot be renewed. It is simply a motion to reject the main question. If a main motion is referred to a committee while to postpone indefinitely is pending, the latter motion is ignored and does not go to the committee.

The Purpose of this motion is not to postpone, but to reject, the main motion without incurring the risk of a direct vote on it, and it is made only by the enemies of the main motion when they are in doubt as to their being in the majority.

The Effect of making this motion is to enable members who have exhausted their right of debate on the main question, to speak again, as technically, the question before the assembly is different, while, as far as the subject of discussion is concerned, there is no difference caused by changing the question from adopting to rejecting the measure, because the merits of the main question are open to debate in either case. If adopted, its effect is to suppress the main motion for that session, unless the vote is reconsidered.

As this motion does not suppress the debate on the main question, its only useful effect is to give the opponents of the pending measure a chance of killing the main motion without risking its adoption in case of failure. For, if they carry the indefinite postponement, the main question is suppressed for the session; if they fail, they still have a vote on the main question, and, having learned their strength by the vote taken, they can form an opinion of the advisability of continuing the struggle.

Now, test your understanding of the motion to Postpone Indefinitely.  Answer the questions below and then click the button underneath to see your results. Good luck!

1. The motion to Postpone Indefinitely __________ .
a)


is useful in disposing of a badly chosen main motion without adopting or rejecting the motion
b)
is used to hold off on voting on a motion until the annual convention
c)
is useful in bringing a main motion to a vote before the current session ends

 

2. The motion to Postpone Indefinitely can be used by strategists  __________ .
a)
to test their strength on a motion they oppose
b)
to test whether the motion to which it is applied is amendable


c)
to test the society to see if it is strong enough to endorse such a motion

 

3. If a main motion is referred to a committee while Postpone Indefinitely is pending, __________ .
a)
Postpone Indefinitely is voted on immediately
b)
Postpone Indefinitely is also referred to the committee
c)
Postpone Indefinitely is ignored and does not go to the committee

 

4. Debate on the motion to Postpone Indefinitely __________ .
a)
must be limited to two speeches of five minutes each per speaker
b)
can only be limited to discussion of the reasons to kill the motion
c)
can go fully into the merits of the main question

 

5. Postpone Indefinitely __________ .
a)
takes precedence over the motion Postpone to a Certain Time
b)
can be applied to Point of Information and Point of Order
c)
yields to all other subsidiary, privileged, and applicable incidental motions

 
   

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"It is recommended that each officer of an organization obtain a copy of the 176 page Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief (RONRIB) to use as a meeting guide. Interested members who wish to participate fully in meetings will find it to be invaluable. This 'in brief' book is one of the best values around! For more in-depth information, you will also want a paperback copy of the 704 page Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) to be used as a reference (when more information is needed), which the 'in brief' book cross references and refers to by page and line number. If you are serious about parliamentary procedure, buy the long-lasting hardcover edition of RONR as a reference book for your personal library. RONR is the book to use if Robert's Rules of Order is designated in your bylaws as your parliamentary authority."

-- Rod G Davidson, Professional Registered Parliamentarian

Going to a meeting but not sure what to do or say? Inexperienced, but want to know how to take part? Learn quickly and easily! Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief is a short, simple book that includes:

  • Sample dialogues to get the presiding officer and members confidently through motions, nominations, elections, voting, debates, amendments, and more

  • Invaluable tips for keeping meetings orderly and on track

  • A chapter answering the most Frequently Asked Questions

  • Handy tables at the back of the book tell you just what to say

  • Appointed to a committee? Elected an officer or board member? Chosen as a convention delegate? Chapters on each clearly explain your duties

  • Abundant cross-references to the standard RONR throughout if more in-depth information is needed.

Finally! Published in 2004, this simple and concise, user-friendly guide covers the basics of conducting and participating in meetings of any size. Written by the same authorship team as Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR), this short easy-to-read guide covers the essentials on the rules most frequently used at meetings. At 176 pages, this handy pocket manual is roughly one-fourth the number of pages of RONR, yet this brief guide is entirely consistent with the larger 704 page RONR, something that cannot be said for other short books on parliamentary procedure.

RONR, Henry M. Robert's classic guide to smooth, orderly, and fairly conducted meetings, was originally published in 1896 and has sold close to 5 million copies in nine editions. This 704 page, 10th edition, Parliamentary Authority will continue the book's reputation as the gold standard of meeting procedure for professional parliamentarians and novice club presidents and members alike. When you need the details, this is the book to get!

Each order from this website includes a FREE leaflet of "Basic Parliamentary Information" - This handy reference card includes charts summarizing the basic characteristics of motions, the procedure and wording used in handling a main motion, a sample agenda/order of business, and information on voting and amendments. Keep this reference card handy in your pocket or purse!

 
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) - Paperback

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) - Paperback
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 List Price: $37.50
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