WSEA 92 MOTIONS AND VOTING PROCEDURES
What is a motion? A motion is a tool used to introduce business in a meeting.
Where can the Idea for a motion come from? The idea for a motion may come from an individual, group, district or from the floor of an Area Committee Meeting or Assembly.
Who can bring a motion? Any member in attendance or a Area Committee.
How should a motion be brought? A motion should be written clearly and should be easily understandable and should be presented with an explanation of current procedure (Area motions 77.4, 82.9) and all background information germane to the motion. All motions should be given to the secretary in triplicate (this includes 2 copies and one transparency) prior to 12 noon on the business day of the Assembly.
How are motions made and acted upon?
A member requests the floor from the Chair
The floor is assigned by the Chair
The motion is made
The motion is now open for a second from the floor
The Chair does not coerce the vote for a second
Motions should not be seconded that:
Repeat the same question on the same day
Conflict with an already adopted motion
Operate outside the scope or the objectives of the Area
Conflict or repeat motions held in committee
Appear dilatory, incorrect, frivolous, or rude
If the motion fails to receive a second it does not “make the floor”, no further action is taken on the motion and business proceeds.
If the motion is seconded the Chair restates the motion
Discussion is held
Members who wish to speak to the pending motion line up at the microphones and are called on in order. Each member may speak for three (3) minutes. No member may speak for a second time on a topic until all who wish to speak have spoken for the first time
After full discussion has been held, all germane information regarding the motion reviewed and amendment(s) made (if provided):
A member may call for the “previous question” (put the pending motion to a vote)
The Chair calls for a vote to end debate. Must have substantial unanimity (2/3 of voting members present)
If the motion to end debate succeeds the Chair puts the question (motion) to a vote
Chair restates motion
Votes are taken by a show of hands
The Chair announces the vote
The Chair asks for the minority opinion
Chair finalizes motion (if no further action is required)
What governs a motion?
Another member cannot interrupt a member who has been assigned the floor
Requires a second
Can be debated/discussed
Can be amended
An amendment may be amended (only 2 amendments may be pending at any one time)
Requires a majority vote (2/3 if motion affects Area policies, procedures or substantial monetary expense)
The maker of a motion has first right to speak to it
A member can vote against their own motion, but cannot speak against it
A member can modify their own motion before it is stated by the Chair.
The member can also offer an amendment after his motion has been stated by the Chair.
A member can withdraw their motion up to the time it has been stated by the Chair, and after that he must have permission of the assembled.
The Chair should rule out of order motions that:
Repeat the same question on the same day
Conflict with an already adopted motion
Operate outside the scope or the object of the organization
Conflict or repeat motions held in committee Appear dilatory, incorrect, frivolous, or rude
Who votes on motions?
At Area Assemblies:
All GSRs and the Area Committee comprised of all DCMs, Appointed and Elected officers.
The proxy vote from groups inside of correctional facilities.
If any GSR, DCM, or Elected officer is not able to bring their vote due to an absence their alternates may exercise the right to vote in place of the absent member.
One member one vote.
At Area Quarterlies:
The Area Committee comprised of all DCMs, Appointed and Elected, officers.
If any DCM, or Elected officer is not able to bring their vote due to an absence their alternates may exercise the right to vote in place of the absent member.
One member one vote.
Abstentions (a vote or voting neither for nor against a proposal)
Are not counted
Should be avoided
Silence is consent
Those members who do not vote agree to go along with the decision of the majority.
What types of motions require a majority vote?
Main Motion (unless the motion will affect Area policies, procedures or substantial monetary expense)
Housekeeping (if requiring more than a General Consent)
Change wording of a motion “Amend”
Send to committee “Commit”
Postpone Action “Postpone” (rarely used)
To put off acting on a motion until a designated future date and time
Out of order” when used to kill or avoid dealing with a motion indefinitely
Lay on the table “Table” (commonly misused)
A courtesy motion, allowing a group to set aside a question for something more important, during the current session, such as the arrival of a speaker.
Cannot be amended or debated
Out of order” when used to kill or avoid dealing with a motion indefinitely
Take Intermission “Recess”
Close Meeting “Adjourn”
What types of motions require a 2/3 majority vote (Substantial Unanimity)?
Main Motion (when the motion will affect Area policies, procedures or substantial monetary expense)
Limit Debate “Limit Debate”
End Debate “Previous Question” (cut off debate and bring the group to an immediate vote on the pending motion)
Must be made in order at the microphone. (Same individual may not speak to the question and then subsequently call for the question)
Cannot be debated
What is General Consent?
Used for matters of routine business or those matters where the sense of the group is in agreement (example: accepting minutes)
Informal agreement of the group
Method in which action is taken without a formal vote or on occasion without a motion.
What is a Housekeeping Motion?
Motion of a routine nature dealing with administrative or purely formal matters necessary to expedite Assembly or Quarterly business (see also routine motion).
Routine motion
Motion required for the observance of the proprieties of the Assembly or Quarterly, the maintenance of its authority, the management of its business, the arrangement of its proceedings, the establishing of the powers of its committees, the correctness of its records or the fixing of its sitting days or the times of its meeting or adjournment.
Motion that does not affect Area policies, procedures or substantial monetary expense
Motion that does not limit or take away the rights of any member
What happens after a vote is taken?
The Chair asks for minority opinion (opportunity to bring new information or insight to the floor regarding the motion)
Minority opinion is heard (if any)
Brought by members of the minority as a result of the vote Members who wish to speak line up at the microphones and are called on in order. Each person may speak for (3) minutes. No one may speak for a second time on a topic until all who wish to speak have spoken for the first time
What is a motion to Reconsider?
Motion allows a group to reconsider the “vote” on a motion.
It enables a majority of the members, within a limited time, to bring back a motion for further consideration after it has been acted upon.
Its purpose is to prevent hasty or ill-advised action.
What governs a motion to reconsider?
It can only be made by someone who voted on the “prevailing” or majority side (the Chair does not coerce the vote to reconsider)
Requires a second
It may be debated
Requires only a majority vote
If the motion to reconsider succeeds:
Discussion is held again on the motion
The motion is dealt with by the chair as any previous motion
Only new information should be discussed that may have not been available previously
A motion that has been voted on a second time as a result of a reconsideration may not be reconsidered a second time.
No minority opinion is called for by the Chair.