Robert's Rules of Order · Chapter 20Art. XIV. Miscellaneous
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67. Forms of Stating and Putting Questions. Whenever a motion has been made and seconded, it is the duty of the chairman, if the motion is in order, to state the question so that the assembly may know what question is before them. The seconding of a motion is required to prevent a question being introduced when only one member is in favor of it, and consequently but little attention is paid to it in mere routine motions, or when it is evident that many are in favor of the motion; in such cases the chairman assumes that the motion is seconded.
Often in routine work the chairman puts the question without waiting for even a motion, as few persons like to make such formal motions, and much time would be wasted by waiting for them: (but the chairman can only do this as long as no one objects.) The following motions, however, do not have to be seconded: (a) a call for the orders of the day; (b) a call to order, or the raising of any question of order; and (c) an objection to the consideration of a question.
One of the commonest forms of stating a question is to say that, “It is moved and seconded that,” and then give the motion. When an amendment has been voted on, the chairman announces the result, and then says, “The question now recurs on the resolution,” or, “on the resolution as amended,” as the case may be. So in all cases, as soon as a vote is taken, he should immediately state the question then before the assembly, if there be any. If the motion is debatable or can be amended, the chairman, usually after stating the question, and always before finally putting it, inquires, “Are you ready for the question?” Some of the common forms of stating and putting questions are shown in §§ 46-48. The forms of putting the following questions, are, however, peculiar:
If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in this form: “Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?” so that on a tie vote they are struck out.
If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: “Shall the main question be now put?”
If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is put thus: “Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the assembly?” [convention, society, etc.] If the Orders of the Day are called for, the question is put thus: “Will the assembly now proceed to the Orders of the Day?”
When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: “Will the assembly consider it?” or, “Shall the question be considered?” [or discussed.]
If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question is put in a form similar to the following: “As many as are in favor of the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, answer yes [or aye]—those opposed will answer no.”
68. Motions requiring a two-thirds vote.* [See Two-thirds Vote, page 159, and § 39 of Rules of Order.]
All motions that have the effect to make a variation from the established rules and customs, should require a two-thirds vote for their adoption. Among these established customs should be regarded the right of free debate upon the merits of any measure, before the assembly can be forced to take final action upon it. The following motions would come under this rule:
To amend or suspend the rules. To make a special order. To take up a question out of its proper order. An objection to the consideration of a question. The Previous Question, or a motion to limit or close debate.
69. Unfinished Business. When an assembly adjourns, the unfinished business comes up at the adjourned meeting, if one is held, as the first business after the reading of the minutes; if there is no adjourned meeting, the unfinished business comes up immediately before new business at the next regular meeting, provided the regular meetings are more frequent than yearly.** [See Rules of Order, § 11, for a fuller explanation of the effect of an adjournment upon unfinished business, and the Congressional practice.] If the meetings are only once a year, the adjournment of the session puts an end to all unfinished business.
70. Session. Each regular meeting of a society constitutes a separate session. Any meeting which is not an adjournment of another meeting, commences a new session; the session terminates as soon as the assembly “adjourns without day.”* [In ordinary practice, a meeting is closed by moving simply “to adjourn;” the society meet again at the time provided either by their rules or by a resolution of the society. If they do not meet till the time for the next regular meeting, as provided in the By-Laws, then the adjournment closed the session, and was in effect an adjournment without day. If, however, they had previously fixed the time for the next meeting, either by a direct vote, or by adopting a programme of exercises covering several meetings or even days, in either case the adjournment is in effect to a certain day, and does not close the session.]
When an assembly has meetings for several days consecutively, they all constitute one session. Each session of a society is independent of the other sessions, excepting as expressly provided in their Constitution, By-Laws, or Rules of Order, and excepting that resolutions adopted by one session are in force during succeeding sessions until rescinded by a majority vote [see note to § 49].
Where a society holds more than one regular session a year, these rules limit the independence of each session as follows: (a) The Order of Business prescribed in § 72 requires that the minutes of the previous meeting, the reports of committees previously appointed, and the unfinished business of the last session, shall all take precedence of new business, and that no subject can be considered out of its proper order, except by a two-thirds vote; (b) it is allowable to postpone a question to the next session, when it comes up with unfinished business, but it is not allowable to postpone to a day beyond the next session, and thus interfere with the right of the next session to consider the question; (c) a motion to reconsider a vote can be made at one meeting and called up at the next meeting even though it be another session, provided the society holds its regular sessions as frequently as monthly.* [See Rules of Order, § 42, for a full discussion of this subject.]
71. Quorum. [See § 43 for full information on this subject.]
72. Order of Business. Every society should adopt an order of business adapted to its special wants. The following is the usual order where no special rule is adopted, and when more than one regular meeting is held each year:
(1) Reading of the minutes of the last meeting. (2) Reports of Boards of Trustees or Managers, and Standing Committees. (3) Reports of Select Committees. (4) Unfinished Business (including questions postponed to this meeting). (5) New Business.
Business cannot be considered out of its order, except by a two-thirds vote; but a majority can lay on the table the different questions as they come up, and thus reach a subject they wish first to consider. If a subject has been made a Special Order for this meeting, then it is to be considered immediately after the minutes are read.
73. Amendments of Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order, should be permitted only when adopted by a two-thirds vote, at a regular meeting of the society, after having been proposed at the previous regular meeting. If the meetings are very frequent, weekly, for instance, amendments should be adopted only at the quarterly meetings, after having been proposed at the previous quarterly meeting.