The Provincial ASB Committee offers the following excerpts from Robert’s Rules of Order
as well as a few other suggestions for clarification of the resolution process. The intent is
for the entire assembly to have a clearer understanding of the rules of procedure in order
for each member to participate to the fullest extent.
MOTIONS & RESOLUTIONS
·
A motion is a proposal that the assembly take certain action, or that it express itself as holding
certain views.
·
It is made by a member obtaining the floor and saying, "I move that,” and then stating the action
he proposes to have taken.
o
Thus a member "moves" that a resolution be adopted, or amended, or referred to a
committee, or that a vote of thanks be extended, etc.;
HANDLING OF A MOTION
What precedes a debate?
·
Before any subject is open to debate it is necessary for the following 3 actions to occur;
1.
A motion is made by a member who has obtained the floor;
2.
The motion is seconded (with certain exceptions);
3.
The question is stated by the chair.
·
The chair must either rule the motion out of order, or state the question on it so that the
assembly may know what is before them for consideration and action, that is, what is
the
immediately pending question.
Stating of the question by the chair:
·
When the motion that is in order has been made and seconded, it is the duty of the chair
to formally place it before the assembly by “
stating the question
”;
that is, he states the
exact question that is before the assembly for its consideration and action.
o
For example, in the case of a resolution, the chair may state the question by
saying, “It is moved and seconded to adopt the following resolution”.
·
Until the chair states the question,
o
the mover has the right to modify his motion/resolution as he pleases, or to
withdraw it entirely.
o
when the mover modifies his motion, the seconder has a right to withdraw his
second.
·
After the question has been stated by the chair, the motion becomes the property of the
assembly,
o
the maker can not modify or withdraw his motion/resolution without the
assembly’s consent.
·
While the motion is pending or being debated,
ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER – Excerpts
&
CLARIFICATION OF PROCESSES
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