In parliamentary procedure, how must a member obtain the floor?

In parliamentary procedure, a member must be recognized by the chair in order to obtain the floor. This means that a member should wait for their turn to speak, and only once recognized by the chair or presiding officer can they address the assembly. This process is crucial to ensure order and clarity during discussions, as it helps manage who is speaking and when, reducing the chance of chaos or simultaneous speaking that can hinder effective communication. The recognition process allows the chair to maintain control of the meeting and facilitate structured dialogue among members.

Obtaining the floor in other ways, such as raising a hand, speaking loudly, or standing up, may not comply with standard parliamentary rules and can lead to misunderstanding or interruption, as those actions do not guarantee that the member will be formally recognized to speak.