Stated Clerk’s “Spotlight for Polity”
April 2025 Edition
“Point of Order!” What is it and are you using it correctly?
I’m guessing at some point in our Presbyterian journey, whether sitting around the table at a meeting or attending some form of gathering, we’ve heard someone use the phrase, “Point of Order!” I know I’ve heard it a time or two, and maybe even used it myself, and why not? It’s official sounding and reminds us as Presbyterians we love things in good order. Yet, how often do we use the phrase correctly? When is it appropriate to declare a “Point of Order?”
According to Robert’s Rules, a “Point of Order” is an incidental motion that is made when someone notices a violation of parliamentary procedure. For example, suppose you are in line at a Presbytery Gathering, waiting to be recognized by the Moderator to speak for or against a motion on the floor, or perhaps just to ask an important clarifying question that will help you decide how to vote. You’re just about to get to the microphone, and suddenly, someone from the back of the room shouts “Call the Question!” (a request to end the debate), which the Moderator hears and then says, “The Question has been called, we will now move to vote on the pending motion.”
Being the seasoned Presbyterian you are, you know there are all kinds of problems with what just happened. Time being important, you rush to the microphone, interrupting the current speaker if necessary, and say “Moderator, Point of Order!” From here, the Moderator should call upon you to make your case, which you can then respectfully point out the person who shouted had not been recognized by the Moderator, nor was there a second and vote on the request to Call the Question. When a “Point of Order” is raised, it is the Moderator’s responsibility to make a ruling on it, by either declaring “your point is well taken, or “not well taken” and providing a short explanation of the ruling. If the Moderator is unsure, they may need to check the bylaws (if applicable) or can check with the Stated Clerk or other parliamentarians present. As a last resort, if the moderator still feels unsure, they can defer it to the assembly for a vote.
Typically, a “Point of Order” is a non-debatable motion, however, if deferred to the body, in some cases it can be debated and the typical rules for debate would apply. It may also be helpful to know that “Point of Order” motions can interrupt whoever is currently recognized/ speaking and are time-sensitive. If a violation is observed without objection when it occurs, you lose the opportunity to object later. The only exception to the time rule is if the violation is what is called a “continuing breach” of the rules, which may include approving a motion that is in violation of the bylaws or other policies that govern the Presbytery, or in violation of any rules protecting the rights of individual members to vote, such as approving something when the body lacks a quorum. In these cases, a “Point of Order” can be raised at any time.
Lastly, it goes without saying even the best Moderator can make mistakes, and calling a “Point of Order” may not always generate the results you had hoped for. For instance, say the Moderator finds the case you made regarding the “Call the Question” motion well taken, but then instead of going back to the time of debate for the motion you were waiting to speak to, they instead call for a second on the request to Call the Question, and then vote to end debate. If the vote is approved, even though your Point of Order was well taken, the body has decided to end the debate. What then can you do? Well. Roberts Rules has more to say with other incidental motions that may be of help, but that’s a point for another day. So, stay tuned for next month’s “Spotlight for Polity,” and until then, stay decent and in good order!
Rev. Dr. Brandan Eddy
Stated Clerk
Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
