Robert's Rules of Order In Action: How to Participate in Meetings with Confidence

“You have the floor.”

The words of the motion will go into the minutes exactly as spoken.

This is not the time for the mover to tell the assembly why the motion deserves consideration.

When a main motion is on the floor, that piece of business is the only one that the assembly can discuss.

there can be no debate about an issue until someone has made a MAIN MOTION, which is a call to introduce a piece of business for the first time.

MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES.

Another member of the assembly must SECOND the motion before it can be considered.

Now that the motion has been made and the question has been stated for the assembly, the presiding officer can open the floor to debate.