Discussion of Motion

[Guest harold sokitx]

During the discussion phase, prior to voting on a motion, the Presisent argued with members who were staing opposing positions to the motion up for the vote. He obviously had a bias against any alternative viewpoints. I always thought the President can state his position, but cannot, should not, argue with a member who states his own position.

[Robert B Fish]

Not quite.

In meetings of more than about a dozen, the chairman maintains the appearance of impartiality by not making motions, not speaking in debate, and not voting unless his/her vote would affect the outcome. (this means he should not even state his position.)

In such meetings, if the chairman feels he must speak about an issue of great importance, he must relinquish the chair and remain out of the chair until the motion has been disposed of.

In smaller meetings, less formal rules apply and the chairman enters the debate along with the others.

-Bob

[David A Foulkes]

As Mr. Fish notes, in smaller board meetings the President can participate more actively, and often does, including making motions and debating. What is NOT acceptable is arguing (if by which you mean yelling and being abusive) with other members. It could be said that two people debating different sides of an issue are "arguing" their points. But the rules of decorum still apply, and such behaviors as would be deemed "mis-behaviors" should not be tolerated.

If this is not a small board meeting (about a dozen or fewer members attending), but rather a larger board meeting or a meeting of the membership, then the chair should be maintaining an "air of impartiality" and stick to presiding over the meeting. He can have opinions, but keep them to himself unless he relinquishes the chair (steps down) to participate, which should happen only very rarely.

[Josh Martin]

What is NOT acceptable is arguing (if by which you mean yelling and being abusive) with other members. It could be said that two people debating different sides of an issue are "arguing" their points.

Argue is indeed a synonym for debate. The word itself does not necessarily imply "yelling and being abusive."

[Gary Novosielski]

Argue is indeed a synonym for debate. The word itself does not necessarily imply "yelling and being abusive."

Right.

Think: "The defense attorney made a well-reasoned closing argument."