This motion aims to temporarily set aside a resolution with the intention of returning to it later. (e.g., delegates feel that other resolutions on the agenda are more urgent and should be debated sooner).
It applies only to Resolutions not working papers.
It may only be brought up during debate time against the resolution, upon which debate time is frozen.
The Chair says, “There is a motion to table this resolution, is there a second?”
If seconded, the Chair asks for the vote, saying, “All those in favor of tabling this resolution please raise your placards.”
A resolution that was tabled can be brought back to the agenda by a motion to Take from the Table.
If an Objection to Consideration has been voted on and failed for a given resolution, then Lay on the Table is out of order for that resolution as the assembly has previously demonstrated its interest in debating the resolution.
If the Lay on the Table fails, it may not be called again for the same resolution at the same stage of debate.
Motion to Take from the Table
This is a motion to bring back a previously tabled resolution. The procedure is similar to that for a motion to Lay on the Table, however, a % + 1 vote is required. May be called in time for or against any other resolution.
The mover must have the floor, and when this motion is brought up debate time is frozen.
The sponsor of the tabled resolution, as well as any other delegate, may propose this motion. If a motion is successfully taken from the table it will be debated at the end of the agenda, but only if time permits. Otherwise, the Chair will announce, “The Chair regrets that there will not be enough time to debate this resolution.”
Motion to Extend Debate
This is a request for additional debate time on a Main Motion or an Amendment.
Debate time in the General Assembly and in committees is limited to specific times for and against. However, one extension of the debate time per resolution is possible in the General Assembly, and in the committee, stages it is up to the discretion of the Chairperson.
In both committees and in the General Assembly, extensions of debate can be offered at the discretion of the Chair, depending on the time available, the length of the agenda, and the quality of debate.
If debate time is extended the assembly will proceed into an additional session of open debate after debate time against has expired. This motion can be called after time for or against, but will only be entertained if raised 5 minutes before debate time against has expired.
The Chair can call for an extension of debate, and this motion should be encouraged if the quality of debate has been good.
Motion to Postpone Indefinitely
This is a motion to discontinue debate on a motion and discard it, as the delegate feels that it does not deserve more of the assembly’s time. It applies only to the Main Resolution in General Assembly and not in committee rooms, It requires recognition and a second.
It interrupts the debate on the resolution, hence debate time for the resolution is suspended.
It can only be brought up in debate time against the resolution.
Procedure
The delegate proposes to postpone a resolution indefinitely.
The Chair asks for a second.
If seconded, the assembly moves into debate time for and against the motion.
Once debate is complete, a vote is taken. The motion requires a majority vote to pass
If the motion passes, the resolution is discarded from the agenda and may not be brought up again at any time.
On the other hand, if the motion is fails, debate will continue on the Main Motion and the Chair asks the speaker if they would like to speak in time against. The Chair may choose not to entertain this motion if there is little time remaining or a long agenda exists.
If Lay on Table is voted on and failed for a given resolution, Postpone Indefinitely is automatically out of order, as the assembly has already proved its interest towards debating the resolution.
Motion to Reconsider a Resolution
This is a motion to bring back a passed or failed resolution to the agenda. This motion means that someone on the winning side has changed his or her mind and wishes to redebate and revote on a certain resolution.
Procedure
Delegate says, “I would like to reconsider a resolution.” Mover must have the floor during debate time for or against any other resolution.
The chair says, “Which resolution are you referring to?”, to which the delegate responds with the title of the resolution.
The Chair asks the delegate to state which way he/she voted. It must be the winning side (i.e. if the resolution failed, you should have voted against it, and vice versa).
The Chair asks for a second.
Then the Chair says, “You have thirty seconds to explain why we should reconsider this motion.” This is an uninterrupted speech.
If there is a valid reason, then the assembly moves into voting procedures.
Before the vote is taken on the reconsidered resolution, there should be six minutes of open debate to remind the assembly of the aspects of the resolution.
A motion to Reconsider is not debatable as debating the Reconsider would mean debating the Resolution again.
