Assume you are the chairman at a meeting and a member briefly explains reasons for making a main motion before moving it. Explain any action you would take.

• A. No action would be taken. A Main Motion can be prefaced by a few words of explanation. However, it can not be a speech.
• B. The chair must stop the explanation and require a formal speech.
• C. The chair should require the explanation to be a full speech.
• D. The chair should require a second debate before moving.

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is that a main motion can be introduced with a brief preface to help others understand the purpose, but it should not become a full debate or long speech before the motion is actually moved. As chair, you should recognize the member and allow a concise explanation of why they’re proposing the motion—just a few sentences to clarify intent. After that brief preface, you would prompt them to move the motion so it can be properly seconded and brought before the group for consideration.

If the explanation stays within a short, factual preface, there’s no need to interrupt or demand a formal speech. Should the member start delivering a longer argument, you would politely steer them back, reminding that only a brief preface is allowed before the motion is moved, and then you’d proceed to have them move the motion.

This approach keeps the meeting efficient, respects the rules about what can be discussed before a motion is on the floor, and ensures everyone understands the purpose without turning the moment into debate before the motion exists for debate.