Special Note on Amendments:

“Amending a motion (or the bylaws, please refer to the latest CSBC bylaws for the present process), modifies wording of the motion; the motion to amend:

1. Must always be germane to the motion, meaning the convention/meeting cannot amend a motion that is not pending
2. Does not modify the motion if the amendment fails
3. Can be applied to any main motion, but cannot be applied to itself
4. Must always be seconded
5. Is out of order when another motion has the floor
6. Is debatable when the motion that is being amended is debatable; if the motion is not debatable, then the motion to amend is not debatable
7. May be amended, but secondary amendments are not allowed
8. Requires a majority vote
9. Can be reconsidered
10. When applied to a main motion, takes precedence over the main motion and the motion to postpone indefinitely but gives way to all other motions
11. When applied to a non-main motion, takes precedence over the motion that is seeks to amend but gives way to any other motion that would take precedence over the motion.

Improper Amendments (please see Robert’s Rules of Order 12th Edition Chapter VI, Section 12, p.119, for details)

When an amendment needs to be amended, or an amendment is applied to itself, a Secondary amendment, or an amendment to the amendment, results in

Voting – is when a chairperson calls for a vote on a motion after clarifying to the convention/members upon what they are voting; a convention/member votes using the following methods:

1. Voice, which is the usual method
2. Rising, which is used to determine the winner of an inconclusive voice vote
3. Show of hands, which is used instead of rising, usually in smaller groups
4. The chairperson then counts the votes and announces the vote:
   
   
   1. Usually, a motion needs a simple majority to pass, but some need a two-thirds majority (66%) to pass, as explained previously
   
   
   2. The convention/members can decide if there are restrictions on who may vote, such as limiting votes to only those present at meeting
   
   
   3. All messengers/members have the right to abstain, or decline from voting, if they have a personal interest in the outcome of the vote
   
   
   4. If the motion passes, it passes immediately
   
   
   5. A chairperson may vote when his/her vote will affect the result, such as to break a tie, but a chairperson may not vote twice

Next Week we conclude our Robert’s Rules Procedural training with:

Nominations & elections; form of popular motions, necessary knowledge of terminology, additional resources, and closing remarks.

As always, if you have any questions about these procedures, please contact me at ron.harvey@rightclubconsultingcompany.com or (661) 447-2480

Click here for Part 1 – “Robert’s Rules” Procedures for Conducting a Meeting

Click here for Part 2 – “Robert’s Rules” Procedures for Conducting a Meeting (Main Motions)