NEW FEATURE
In this new monthly feature we will post a question based on Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised (RONR) to help you become familiar with some basic Parliamentary Procedures for Chapter meetings and Division and International Annual Meetings.
Below is our first question and answer. Future questions with RONR page citations will appear for a two-week period, with the answer being posted following that time. Next question will be posted following Division Annual Meeting (approximately May 22).
QUESTION - What procedure do you use to "obtain the floor" in order to make a motion, address the membership in debate of a motion, or submit a report?
ANSWER - b. Stand and say "Madam President" and wait to be recognized
From RONR, Eleventh Ed. pps. 29 - 30
"Before a member in an assembly can make a motion or speak in debate--the parliamentary name given to any form of discussion of the merits of a motion--he must obtain the floor; that is, he must be recognized by the chair as having the exclusive right to be heard at that time. . . . The chair must recognize any member who seeks the floor while entitled to it.
"To claim the floor, a member rises at his place when no one else has the floor (or goes to a microphone in a large hall), faces the chair, and says 'Mr President,' or 'Mr. Chairman,' or 'Madam Chairman,' or whatever is the chair's proper title. If the member is entitled to the floor at the time, the chair recognizes him--normally by announcing, as applicable, the person's name or title, or the place or unit that he represents. This member then has the floor . . . ."