Second!

Why should you second a motion? 

Every time we held a debate in class, I noticed that most people were very hesitant to second motions. I am not sure if this was because people were unsure as to whether or not motions should be seconded, or if people were just unsure of what seconding a motion means. 

Either way, fear no longer, because I am here to explain all of the above! 

The motions that require seconds are not too hard to remember. The motions that are seconded are 

Fix Time - 

Adjourn - 

Recess -  

*Question of Privilege - 

*Call for Orders - 

*Point of Order - 

*Object to the Consideration -

*Withdraw - 

*Parliamentary Inquiry - 

Appeal -

*Request for Information -

*Division of the Assembly -

Division of the Question -

Suspend the Rules -

Lay on the Table

Call for Previous Question

Limit/Extend Debate

Postpone Definitely

Refer

Amend

Postpone Indefinitely

Take From Table

Reconsider 

Rescind

Main Motion

All of the Subsidiary Motions, the Main Motion, and Motions that Bring Matter Back Before the Assembly are seconded. The only motions that are seconded in the Privileged and Incidental motion classes are the ones that require a majority vote to pass in most situations. 

Now, why second a motion? 

According to Robert's Rules of Order (11th Ed.), on page 35, a member who wishes to see a motion be considered seconds the motion. That is all there is to it. A member does not have to be in favor of the motion to second it, they simply must want to see the motion be considered. If no member wishes to see the motion be considered, the motion will die due to lack of second.