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The motion to amend.If a member wants to change a basic motion First,the chair would deal with the third(the last)motion on the
<br />that is before the body,they would move to amend it.A motion floor,the substitute motion.After discussion and debate,a vote
<br />to amend might be:"I move that we amend the motion to have a would be taken first on the third motion.If the substitute motion
<br />10-member committee"A motion to amend takes the basic motion passed,it would be a substitute for the basic motion and would
<br />that is before the body and seeks to change it in some way.eliminate it.The first motion would be moot,as would the second
<br />The substitute motion.If a member wants to completely do away
<br />motion(which sought to amend the first motion),and the action on
<br />with the basic motion that is before the body,and put a new motion
<br />the agenda item would be completed on the passage by the body of
<br />before the body,they would move a substitute motion.A substitute
<br />the third motion(the substitute motion).No vote would be taken on
<br />motion might be:"I move a substitute motion that we cancel the
<br />the first or second motions.
<br />annual fundraiser this year." Second,if the substitute motion failed,the chair would then deal
<br />Motions to amend"and"substitute motions"are often confused,but
<br />with the second(now the last)motion on the floor,the motion
<br />they are quite different,and their effect(if passed)is quite different. to amend.The discussion and debate would focus strictly on the
<br />A motion to amend seeks to retain the basic motion on the floor,but
<br />amendment(should the committee be five or 10 members).If the
<br />modify it in some way.A substitute motion seeks to throw out the
<br />motion to amend passed,the chair would then move to consider the
<br />basic motion on the floor,and substitute a new and different motion
<br />main motion(the first motion)as amended.If the motion to amend
<br />for it.The decision as to whether a motion is really a"motion to
<br />failed,the chair would then move to consider the main motion(the
<br />amend"or a"substitute motion"is left to the chair.So if a member
<br />first motion)in its original format,not amended.
<br />makes what that member calls a"motion to amend,"but the chair Third,the chair would now deal with the first motion that was placed
<br />determines that it is really a"substitute motion,"then the chair's on the floor.The original motion would either be in its original
<br />designation governs. format(five-member committee),or if amended,would be in its
<br />A"friendly amendment"is a practical parliamentary tool that is amended format(10-member committee).The question on the floor
<br />for discussion and decision would be whether a committee should
<br />simple,informal,saves time and avoids bogging a meeting down
<br />with numerous formal motions.It works in the following way:In the
<br />plan and put on the annual fundraiser.
<br />discussion on a pending motion,it may appear that a change to the
<br />motion is desirable or may win support for the motion from some To Debate or Not to Debate
<br />members.When that happens,a member who has the floor may The basic rule of motions is that they are subject to discussion and
<br />simply say,"I want to suggest a friendly amendment to the motion." debate.Accordingly,basic motions,motions to amend,and substitute
<br />The member suggests the friendly amendment,and if the maker and motions are all eligible,each in their turn,for full discussion before
<br />the person who seconded the motion pending on the floor accepts and by the body.The debate can continue as long as members of the
<br />the friendly amendment,that now becomes the pending motion on body wish to discuss an item,subject to the decision of the chair that
<br />the floor.If either the maker or the person who seconded rejects the it is time to move on and take action.
<br />proposed friendly amendment,then the proposer can formally move There are exceptions to the general rule of free and open debate
<br />to amend.on motions.The exceptions all apply when there is a desire of the
<br />body to move on.The following motions are not debatable(that
<br />Multiple Motions Before the Body is,when the following motions are made and seconded,the chair
<br />There can be up to three motions on the floor at the same time. must immediately call for a vote of the body without debate on the
<br />The chair can reject a fourth motion until the chair has dealt motion):
<br />with the three that are on the floor and has resolved them.This
<br />Motion to adjourn.This motion,if passed,requires the body to
<br />rule has practical value.More than three motions on the floor at
<br />immediately adjourn to its next regularly scheduled meeting.It
<br />any given time is confusing and unwieldy for almost everyone,
<br />requires a simple majority vote.
<br />including the chair.
<br />Motion to recess.This motion,if passed,requires the body to
<br />When there are two or three motions on the floor(after motions and
<br />immediately take a recess.Normally,the chair determines the length
<br />seconds)at the same time,the vote should proceed first on the last
<br />of the recess which may be a few minutes or an hour.It requires a
<br />motion that is made.For example,assume the first motion is a basic
<br />simple majority vote.
<br />motion to have a five-member committee to plan and put on our
<br />annual fundraiser."During the discussion of this motion,a member Motion to fix the time to adjourn.This motion,if passed,requires
<br />might make a second motion to"amend the main motion to have a the body to adjourn the meeting at the specific time set in the
<br />10-member committee,not a five-member committee to plan and motion.For example,the motion might be:"I move we adjourn this
<br />put on our annual fundraiser"And perhaps,during that discussion,a meeting at midnight"It requires a simple majority vote.
<br />member makes yet a third motion as a"substitute motion that we not
<br />have an annual fundraiser this year."The proper procedure would be
<br />as follows:
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