Chair error in stating vote pass/fail

[Guest Christy]

In a recent meeting, we had a vote for an amendment of the by-laws. We had 12 present- 8 were for and 4 against. Chair quickly stated count and that 2/3 vote was needed. Then stated not enough votes were received to pass. After the meeting a member showed up and asked about the vote. When she was told the count, she said that is 2/3! Do we make an amendment to the meeting correcting the chair's statement? Or..Do we need to appeal the chair's statement?

[Rev Ed]

A point of order should have been made right away. Now it is too late. However, the motion could be brought up again at the next meeting.

[Gary Novosielski]

In a recent meeting, we had a vote for an amendment of the by-laws. We had 12 present- 8 were for and 4 against. Chair quickly stated count and that 2/3 vote was needed. Then stated not enough votes were received to pass. After the meeting a member showed up and asked about the vote. When she was told the count, she said that is 2/3! Do we make an amendment to the meeting correcting the chair's statement? Or..Do we need to appeal the chair's statement?

No.

The chair's announcement of the result, even though incorrect, stands, because no Point of Order was raised at the time. The amendment was defeated.

However you can move to adopt it again, as long as the proper procedures for amending the bylaws (as provided in the bylaws) is followed. And this time, pay attention to the results DURING the meeting, when it's not too late to do something about them. Only a handful of situations create what is known as a "continuing breach" of the rules, which would allow an untimely point of order to be raised.

This isn't one of them.

[Chris Harrison]

The Chair's declaration of the motion being lost stands. See Official Interpretation 2006-18.