Difference between revisions of "Making a Motion"

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# The Chair asks for a "second"
 
# The Chair asks for a "second"
 
# The Chair restates the motion to the assembly
 
# The Chair restates the motion to the assembly
# The motion is debated
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# The motion is debated (see ''Debate'' link)
# Debate is ended
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# Debate is ended (see ''End_Debate'' link)
# A vote on the motion is taken
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# A vote on the motion is taken (See ''Voting'' link)
 
# The Chair announces the result of the vote
 
# The Chair announces the result of the vote
  
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'''Chair:''' "Seeing no second to the motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity, we will move on to other business."
 
'''Chair:''' "Seeing no second to the motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity, we will move on to other business."
  
=== Restating the Motion ===
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== Restating the Motion ==
 
'''''If the motion receives a second, the Chair restates the motion to bring it before the Assembly.'''''
 
'''''If the motion receives a second, the Chair restates the motion to bring it before the Assembly.'''''
  
 
'''Chair:''' "A motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity has been made and seconded.  We will now move to a period of debate on the motion.  
 
'''Chair:''' "A motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity has been made and seconded.  We will now move to a period of debate on the motion.  
  
== Debating the Motion ==
 
'''''It is customary to offer the maker of the motion the first chance to speak on the motion.'''''
 
  
'''Chair:''' "Would the maker of the motion care to begin debate?"
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'''''<font size=4>The motion is now on the floor and the meeting will move into a period of debate.</font>'''''
  
'''Brother A:''' "Since the Chapter raised $50 more than expected at the bake sale, I think we should donate the funds to XYZ Charity, which benefits local schools."
 
  
'''''Debate continues with a speaker offering a contrary opinion ("con") followed by another opinion of support ("pro") until debate is exhausted or ended by a motion. Members wishing to speak should raise their hands, and the Chair should recognize each Member in turn. It is often helpful to use hand signals to communicate whether the Member wishes to debate in the pro or the con. Often, an open hand is interpreted to mean "pro" and a closed hand is interpreted to mean "con."'''''
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==Commonly Used Motions==
 +
===Making an Amendment to a Motion===
 +
Amendments to a motion on the floor may be made if a brother would like to see a change in the original motion before it is passed. For example, if a motion has been made to "order a cake to celebrate Founders’ Day", a brother may wish to amend the motion such that it would read, "order a cake and ice cream to celebrate..."
  
== Ending Debate ==
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While motions to amend are made during the debate phase of considering a motion, the amendment may not change the original intent of the motion.  For example, using the above example that motion has been made to "order a cake to celebrate Founders’ Day," an amendment  to the motion such that it would read, "order a cake to celebrate the President’s birthday" would change the intent of the motion because it changes the entire purpose for ordering the cake. (Interpretation of intent is the responsibility of the chair.)
'''''Debate may be ended in one of several ways'''''
 
=== Debate is Exhausted ===
 
'''''If a motion is not very controversial, the Membership may not wish to offer much debate. If the Chair realizes that no further debate is forthcoming, he/she should bring the period of debate to a close.'''''
 
  
'''Chair:''' "If there is no further debate on this motion, we will now close debate."
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[[Motion to Amend|Example of a Motion to Amend]]
  
'''''The Chair should pause to ensure that no Members wish to speak further on the pending motion, before putting the question.'''''
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===Adjourning a Meeting===
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A motion to adjourn is made at the end of the meeting after all business has been conducted.  It requires a majority of the Active members present in order to pass.
  
=== Debate is Ended by a Motion to Previous Question ===
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If the motion fails, it usually is because brothers have announcements or other items of business they feel must be addressed before the meeting is adjourned. After the motion fails, the floor remains open for any announcements or business that brothers wish to address.  When it appears that all business has been completed, the Chair could then ask again for a motion to adjourn.
'''''A Member who feels that debate on a motion has gone on long enough may make a Motion to Previous Question. If the Motion to Previous Question is carried, debate is closed. For more information on the Motion to Previous Question, see the [[Previous Question|full article]].'''''
 
  
== Putting the Question ==
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[[Motion to Adjourn|Example of a "motion to adjourn"]]
'''''When debate is ended, the motion is restated again by the Chair, who leads the Assembly in voting on the motion.'''''
 
  
'''Chair:''' "Debate is closed. We will now vote on the motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity."
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{{Resource Guides Footer}}
 
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[[Category:Resource Guides]]
'''''The Chair calls for votes for and against the vote in turn. The Chair may use discretion in which method of voting to employ, based on his/her observation of the debate on the motion. If the Assembly is not strongly divided, a voice vote is appropriate. A rising vote (show of hands) may be used if many points of debate were raised both in the pro and in the con on the motion.'''''
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[[Category:Parliamentarian Resource Guide]]
 
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[[Category:Chapter President Resource Guide]]
=== Voting by Voice ===
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[[Category:Vice President Resource Guide]]
'''Chair:''' "All those in favor of donating $50 to XYZ Charity, please say 'aye'"<br>
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[[Category:RONR]]
'''Members in Favor:''' "Aye."<br>
 
'''Chair:''' "All those opposed to donating $50 to XYZ Charity, please say 'nay'"<br>
 
'''Members in Opposition:''' "Nay."
 
 
 
=== Rising Vote ===
 
'''''The Chair asks Members in favor to to rise (or raise hands) and makes a count, then asks Members opposed to rise (or raise hands) and makes a count.''''''
 
 
 
(for information about other types of voting, see [[Voting]].)
 
 
 
'''''Abstentions are never called for, since they can be determined mathematically.'''''
 
 
 
== Announcing the Result ==
 
'''''The Chair announces the result of the vote according to the method of voting employed.'''''
 
 
 
=== Voting by Voice ===
 
'''Chair:''' "It is the opinion of the Chair that the motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity has passed/failed (alternatively 'been carried'/'been lost')."
 
 
 
=== Rising Vote ===
 
'''Chair:''' "The motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity has been carried by a vote of 10-2 (or 'been lost by a vote of 3 members for the motion and 7 against')."
 

Latest revision as of 23:33, 29 December 2008

A Main Motion is a motion that brings business before the assembly. Main motions are in order only when no other business is pending. When a member wishes to introduce business via a main motion, it should be handled via the following steps.

  1. The member gains recognition from the Chair, and states the motion
  2. The Chair asks for a "second"
  3. The Chair restates the motion to the assembly
  4. The motion is debated (see Debate link)
  5. Debate is ended (see End_Debate link)
  6. A vote on the motion is taken (See Voting link)
  7. The Chair announces the result of the vote

See the following annotated example of handling a Main Motion. The example used is a motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity.

Stating the Motion

Brother A raises his hand and is recognized by the Chair

Brother A: "I move that we donate $50 to XYZ Charity."

Seconding the Motion

Chair: "A motion has been made to donate $50 to XYZ Charity. Is there a second?"

Brother B: "I second the motion." (or simply 'second')

If No Second is Given

If the motion does not receive a second, then the motion is lost and cannot be debated or voted upon.

Chair: "Seeing no second to the motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity, we will move on to other business."

Restating the Motion

If the motion receives a second, the Chair restates the motion to bring it before the Assembly.

Chair: "A motion to donate $50 to XYZ Charity has been made and seconded. We will now move to a period of debate on the motion.


The motion is now on the floor and the meeting will move into a period of debate.


Commonly Used Motions

Making an Amendment to a Motion

Amendments to a motion on the floor may be made if a brother would like to see a change in the original motion before it is passed. For example, if a motion has been made to "order a cake to celebrate Founders’ Day", a brother may wish to amend the motion such that it would read, "order a cake and ice cream to celebrate..."

While motions to amend are made during the debate phase of considering a motion, the amendment may not change the original intent of the motion. For example, using the above example that motion has been made to "order a cake to celebrate Founders’ Day," an amendment to the motion such that it would read, "order a cake to celebrate the President’s birthday" would change the intent of the motion because it changes the entire purpose for ordering the cake. (Interpretation of intent is the responsibility of the chair.)

Example of a Motion to Amend

Adjourning a Meeting

A motion to adjourn is made at the end of the meeting after all business has been conducted. It requires a majority of the Active members present in order to pass.

If the motion fails, it usually is because brothers have announcements or other items of business they feel must be addressed before the meeting is adjourned. After the motion fails, the floor remains open for any announcements or business that brothers wish to address. When it appears that all business has been completed, the Chair could then ask again for a motion to adjourn.

Example of a "motion to adjourn"

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