Simplified Rules of Order

Privileged Motions

Question or Point of Privilege

If a situation is affecting the comfort, convenience, integrity, rights or privileges of a meeting or of an individual member (for example, noise, inadequate ventilation, introduction of a confidential subject in the presence of guests, etc.), a member can raise a point of privilege, which permits him/her to interrupt pending business to make an urgent statement, request or motion. (If a motion is made, it must be seconded.) The motion might also concern the reputation of a member, a group of members, the assembly, or the association as a whole.

If the matter is not simple enough to be taken care of informally, the chair rules as to whether it is admitted as a question of privilege and whether it requires consideration before the pending business is resumed.

A point of privilege may also be used to seek permission of the meeting to present a motion of an urgent nature.