Reference Information:  Parliamentary Procedure

Call to Order - Meetings are called to order by the Chairman, generally the chief of the body in question. (Lodge or Chapter)
Minutes - The minutes of the previous meeting are read and approved.  A motion and second are required.

Old Business - Old business is always considered first.  Old business is defined as any item discussed at previous meetings and referred to the present for more discussion and/or a discussion. Must be handled under Motion Procedure discussed below.

Committee Reports - After Old Business, each standing committee and any ad-hoc committees are asked for reports.  They give their reports, however refrain from making any motions in the process.  Committee reports are accepted without need of a motion.

New Business - New Business comprises any recommendations needing action from committee reports and all issues which are newly brought before the group.  This is the only section of the meeting which is open to additions on the agenda.  Must be handled under Motion Procedure discussed below.

Discussion - Discussion is what really takes up time in meetings.  There are some ways to keep Discussion from getting out of hand.

Call the Question - When a member believes there has been sufficient Discussion for all sides of an issue to be fairly considered, he may Call the Question.  This is a motion.  It requires a Second, but no Discussion.  If Seconded it is immediately voted upon.  If the Motion carries, Discussion ends and you proceed to a vote on the issue.  Calling the Question does not constitute a vote on the issue.  If the Motion to Call the Question fails, Discussion continues.

Tabling - When a member believes a matter is out of hand or that discussion is going nowhere or that there is not enough information for the issue to be declared, he may make a Motion to Table the Motion.  (ex.  I move to table this motion.)  As with any Motion, it requires a Second.  It requires no discussion.  If seconded, the Motion to Table is voted upon immediately.  If it passes, the Motion is no longer considered.  However, at a later meeting, a Motion can be made to Remove the Motion from the Table.  It also requires a Second but no Discussion.  If the Motion to Table does not pass, Discussion continues.

Adjournment - Upon completion of all matters above, a motion for adjournment is in order.  However, such a motion is in order at any time and may be proposed and voted on without having completed all business on the agenda.

Reference Information: Motion Procedure

All business in a meeting run by the rules of Parliamentary Procedure must be conducted in the form of a motion.  When a member of the body wants an issue considered, he "makes a Motion." (Ex: I move that the Lodge raise its dues to $15.00 per year.) This motion is recorded in the minutes. The chairman then asks for a Second. A second means that another person agrees to the Motion.  This is acknowledged by another member saying "Second". Every Motion must have a Second.  Without a second, the Motion dies and that issue is not considered.  If a Second is given, the Chairman then calls for Discussion. During Discussion, any member may speak on the motion at hand.  If, during Discussion, it is discovered that the motion is not adequate, a Motion may be made to amend the Motion.  (ex. I move to amend the motion to read that the Lodge raises its dues to $15.00 per year for youth and $17.00 per year for adults.) This Amendment requires a Second and Discussion.  Discussion on the Amendment is immediately taken up.  Upon finishing Discussion on the Amendment, the Chairman calls for a vote. This vote is on the Amendment only. If the Amendment does not pass, Discussion resumes on the original Motion. If the Amendment does pass, the Amended Version of the Motion becomes the new Motion and Discussion continues.  At the conclusion of Discussion on the Motion, the Chairman calls a vote. This vote determines whether the Motion passes or fails.  The Chairman then moves on the next order of business.

This represents a very elementary introduction to Parliamentary Procedure as we try to implement it in Wahissa Lodge.  You should be cautioned about getting so tied up in Parliamentary detail as not to consider the business at hand.  Just remember: Motion, Second, Discussion, and Vote.  That's all there is to it.  The other stuff just opens some new avenues to you.

If you are interested in Parliamentary Procedure, the authoritative source is Robert's Rules of Order.