What is the purpose of a point of order?

A point of order serves to identify and correct a mistake made in the conduct of business during a meeting, ensuring that the established rules and procedures are followed. When a member raises a point of order, they are alerting the presiding officer and other members to a potential violation of parliamentary procedure, which helps maintain order and fairness in the meeting.

In this context, the intention is not to disrupt or dismiss the speaker but to uphold the integrity of the meeting by ensuring that all actions and discussions are compliant with agreed-upon rules. This contributes to effective communication and decision-making within the group.

On the other hand, proposing new legislation involves the introduction of a motion and is distinct from the purpose of a point of order. Interrupting a speaker is not the primary aim of raising a point of order, as it focuses more on the procedural aspects rather than individual comments. Closing the debate is another separate motion with its procedures and intentions, and it does not relate to the identification of errors in procedure.