During a meeting, what is the purpose of a motion?

A motion serves a vital role in the meeting process by formally requesting action or a decision on a specific issue. When a participant makes a motion, they are essentially proposing that the group take a specific course of action or reach a particular conclusion. This helps to organize the meeting’s activities, ensuring that discussions lead to concrete outcomes and decisions.

The formal nature of a motion often requires it to be seconded, which signals support for bringing the proposal before the group for consideration. This procedural aspect promotes clarity and accountability, ensuring that all members understand what is being proposed. Following the motion, members typically engage in discussion before voting on whether to adopt the proposal, thereby fulfilling the purpose of moving forward with collective decision-making.

While introducing a new topic for discussion, initiating voting procedures, or summarizing meeting notes are important aspects of meetings, they do not capture the primary function of a motion, which is to solicit actionable decisions from the group.