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objection

A formal expression of opposition to a matter or procedure.

Objection to Consideration of a Question

The purpose of this motion is to prevent the assembly from considering the question/motion because a member deems the question as irrelevant, unprofitable, contentious or simply objectionable. The member believes it is undesirable for this motion to come before the assembly. This motion is only applicable to an Original Main Motion, not an Incidental Main Motion.

obtain the floor

Secure recognition from the presiding officer to either speak or make a motion.

officer

A person who has been appointed or elected to an official position in the organization.

old business

An incorrect and misleading term for the part of the agenda properly called unfinished business. Old business is misleading because it indicates that anything that the group once talked about fits here. The only business that fits in unfinished business is business that was started but not yet finished.

on the floor

A motion is considered on the floor when it has been stated by the presiding officer and has not yet been disposed of either permanently or temporarily. Pending and on the floor are interchangeable terms.

order of business

The schedule of business for the meeting; the agenda.

order of the day

A business item that is scheduled to be taken up during a particular meeting.

Original Main Motions

Those motions which bring before the assembly a new subject, sometimes in the form of a resolution, upon which action by the assembly is desired.

out of order

A motion, action, request, or procedure that is in violation of the rules of the organization.

ownership of a motion

A concept that refers to whose property the motion is at a given time and, therefore, who has a right to make any changes to it. In the six steps of the motion process, the maker of the motion owns the motion up until the completion of Step 3. After Step 3, the ownership of the motion is transferred to the assembly.