Overview of WMA Parliamentary Procedures v1

Overview of Parliamentary Procedures
According to the RULE OF PROCEDURE
for
ALL DELIBERATIVE BODIES

of
THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC. (Doc. 30.70)

To do this You say this May you
interrupt
the
discussion?
Must you
be
seconded?
Is the motion
debatable?
Is the
motion
amendable?
What vote is
required?
Substantive motion = shall be subject to and voted after the following subsidiary motions
Introduce a main
substantive
motion (Must be
for a particular
agenda item or
matter of
urgency)
“I move to
…[precisely
name the
motion in
accordance
with the
written
proposal]”
No No Yes Yes majority/
matters of
medical
ethics
1
or
matters of
urgency
2
: 3⁄4
of the General
Assembly (!)
delegates
present and
voting
Subsidiary motions – In the order of precedence!
postpone
temporarily
“I move to
postpone this
motion
temporarily.”
No Yes No No majority
terminate debate
and vote
immediately on
the pending
motion (only)
“I move to
terminate
debate and
vote
immediately“
No Yes No No 2/3 majority
postpone to a
definite time 


“I move to
postpone this
motion
until…”
No Yes Yes, but only
on the issue of
postponement
Yes, but only
on the issue
of timing
majority
refer to another
body 


“I move to
refer this
motion to…”
No Yes Yes, only on
the question
of referral 




Yes, as to
any
provision of
the
proposed
referral
majority
amend
(first degree)
“I move to
amend this
motion” (by
adding,
eliminating,
substituting)
No Yes Yes, limited to
the proposed
amendment 


Yes (second
degree
amendment)
must be
disposed of
first
majority
postpone
indefinitely
(final disposition
and equivalent to
a negative vote)
“I move to
postpone this
motion
indefinitely.”
No Yes Yes No majority

These tables are for orientation only. They do neither substitute nor replace the text of any WMA statutory document.

1
ARTICLES AND BYLAWS of THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.,( Doc. 32.2/Oct2012), CHAPTER IV – GENERAL
ASSEMBLY, Section 6. Voting in the General Assembly item C
2
ARTICLES AND BYLAWS of THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.,( Doc. 32.2/Oct2012), CHAPTER IV – GENERAL
ASSEMBLY, Section 6. Voting in the General Assembly item D

Incidental motions
To do this You say this May you
interrupt the
discussion?
Must you
be
seconded?
Is the
motion
debatable?
Is the
motion
amendable?
What vote
is
required?
to vote by
secret ballot
3



“I move to vote by
secret ballot on this
motion”
(No) (No) (No) (No) majority
reconsider a
matter already
voted upon
(same session)
“I move to reconsider
item [name
precisely]”
Yes Yes Yes No majority
divide the
question and
vote on each
part separately
*see privileges
of the chair
“I move to divide the
question and vote on
each part
separately.“
No No No No Immediate
decision by
the chair –
no vote
request
information
“Point of
information!”
Yes No No No To be
answered
by chair.
No vote
suspect
mistake, error
or omission
“Point of order!” Yes No No No To be ruled
by chair.
ruling by the
Chair is in error



“I appeal the ruling
by the chair.”(must
be done immediately
after the ruling by
the chair)
Yes Yes Yes (No) majority
withdraw the
motion 

*see privileges
of the chair
“I request permission
to withdraw my
motion. [please
name]”
Yes Yes, if
with-drawl
is not
granted by
chair
(No) (No) majority
recess the
meeting
“I move to recess the
meeting until [give
exact time or
duration]”
Yes Yes No Yes, but
only
concerning
the timing
majority
adjourn the
meeting 

“I move to adjourn
the meeting”
Yes Yes No No majority

Privileges
of
the chair:
• When a main substantive motion has two or more independent parts, the Chair may rule that
each part be voted on separately.
4


• If there is no objection to withdrawing the motion, the Chair may grant the request
5


• If a vote is equally divided on matters other than elections, and the Chair has not voted,
he/she shall have the right to cast the deciding vote to break the tie.
6

Majority
rule:
The majority is calculated from votes cast by those present and voting. Members who abstain from
voting are considered not voting.
7

Special rules including timelines apply for the amendment of Articles and Bylaws, the Rule of Procedures and the
Operating Policies of the Association.

3
ARTICLES AND BYLAWS of THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.,( Doc. 32.2/Oct2012), CHAPTER V – COUNCIL,
Section 6. Voting in the General Assembly.
4,5
RULE OF PROCEDURE for
ALL DELIBERATIVE BODIES
of
THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC. (Doc. 30.70)
Rule 10
5,

7
ARTICLES AND BYLAWS of THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.,( Doc. 32.2/Oct2012), CHAPTER V – COUNCIL,
Section 7. Voting in the Council.