An order of the day is that item of business that has been previously scheduled to be brought up at a specific time, meeting, and date. The only time something different can then take precedence is if other business has more importance or if the membership votes to set it aside when its time to come up arrives. However, an order of the day can't be taken up before the time it's set for unless a motion to reconsider the vote is made (and possible) or the rules are suspended by a two-thirds vote of the membership. There are general orders and special orders.

General Orders

General orders are any questions (motions) that have been made an order of the day because of postponement. Under the agenda heading of “Unfinished Business and General Orders,” you might find the question that was pending when the previous meeting was adjourned and any questions that were unfinished business items at the previous meeting.

General orders might also be any questions that were made general orders because they weren't completed at the previous meeting, and anything that was set as a general order for the upcoming meeting. The general orders should be taken up in the order just listed.

Special Orders

A special order is an order of the day made with the provision that any rules that might interfere with its being taken up will be suspended except for adjournment or recess, questions of privilege, special orders made before this special order, or a question that has priority by being made the most important special order of the day. Since the making of a special order in effect suspends rules that interfere, it requires a two-thirds vote.

Sometimes a special order is business that is addressed once a year, such as nominations and elections. The only way it can't be taken care of at the time prescheduled is if something else is more important and takes precedence over it.

If a member feels a matter is important and wants to make certain that it is addressed at a particular meeting (perhaps to make certain he or she can get those who agree in attendance at the meeting), it's easy to make it a special order. The process is made by making a simple motion. The member should say: “I move that [the matter] be made a special order for [the time and date of the next meeting].”