What must a member do before making a motion?

Before making a motion, a member must wait to be recognized by the chair. This is crucial in maintaining order and ensuring that everyone has a fair opportunity to speak during a meeting. The process allows the chair to control the flow of discussion, enabling members to participate appropriately without interruptions. Recognizing members helps to manage the meeting effectively, as it indicates whose turn it is to speak and ensures that all voices are heard in an organized manner.

While obtaining majority approval, discussing the topic with others, and having a second ready are important aspects of parliamentary procedure, they occur after a member is recognized and begins the formal process of making a motion. Thus, gaining recognition is the essential first step in the motion process.