Who is allowed to speak first when debating a motion in a formal business meeting?

In a formal business meeting, the correct protocol dictates that the maker of the motion is allowed to speak first when a motion is being debated. This person advocates for the motion they proposed and provides the rationale behind it, allowing them to outline their thoughts and arguments clearly for the members present.

By granting the maker of the motion the first opportunity to speak, the meeting respects their role in initiating the discussion and ensures that their intentions and reasoning are understood by all attendees. This practice fosters transparency and encourages a respectful exchange of ideas, which is essential to the decision-making process in a formal setting.

The role of the chairperson is to facilitate the discussion and ensure that the rules are followed, but they do not take precedence in speaking about a motion unless they are also the maker. Similarly, while majority members and the secretary have important roles, they do not have the right to speak first on the motion being considered.