There are times in an assembly when the proceedings need to be immediately interrupted to deal with a problem. This can happen when someone else has the floor. Examples are “members can’t hear the speaker”, “members in the back of the room cannot see the power point  presentation”.  These examples involve several members and therefore a member may rise to “a question of privilege. “ Once stated, the chair must immediately respond to the issue being raised.

In rare occasions a member may raise a question of “personal privilege” on an issue that affects only the member.  An example is if the chair requests a standing vote and the member is unable to stand. The member may ask that her vote be counted by raising her hand. Again, the chair must immediately rule on the issue being raised. (The chair could have everyone vote by raising a hand).

Note that a member may not use a “question of personal privilege” to get around the rules of debate and request the privilege of jumping ahead or speaking first to a motion without a critical reason that must be publicly stated and agreed to by the chair, and in some cases, the assembly, as it is breaking the agreed upon rules.