Rescind Motion

[Guest Juanita]

At our last meeting a member made a motion, another member seconded the motion and it passed to appoint a member to another board.

However, following the meeting it was discovered the other board did NOT have a vacancy and already had a full list of members. They did not need another member.

Therefore, at the next meeting we intend to have the motion to appoint a new member rescinded, as it was not needed.

The question is: Does the member making the motion and the member making the second have to be present and be the ones making another motion and second in order for this action to be rescinded? I know the person making the second will not be in attendance at the next meeting. Thanks!

[tctheatc]

The motion to rescind can be made by persons not involved with the original motion to appoint. Same for seconding.

[Chris Harrison]

Does the member making the motion and the member making the second have to be present and be the ones making another motion and second in order for this action to be rescinded?

No. Anyone can make a motion and second a motion to Rescind.

However, it is unclear whether the motion can be Rescinded now. First, if the member has already notified of his or her appointment to an office the appointment cannot be Rescinded [RONR p. 298] although it is unclear if that rule applies to an appointment to an external body (not part of the organization). But, the election/appointment of a member to a committee (of the organization) can be Rescinded. However, it is unclear whether the appointment to an external body can be Rescinded because at that point they are already a member of that body and there is no parliamentary mechanism for one organization forcing the member of an external organization to lose their membership (unless the bylaws of the external organization permits it or the person is an ex officio member of that external body).

[Gary c Tesser]

No. Anyone can make a motion and second a motion to Rescind.

However, it is unclear whether the motion can be Rescinded now. First, if the member has already notified of his or her appointment to an office the appointment cannot be Rescinded [RONR p. 298] although it is unclear if that rule applies to an appointment to an external body (not part of the organization). But, the election/appointment of a member to a committee (of the organization) can be Rescinded. However, it is unclear whether the appointment to an external body can be Rescinded because at that point they are already a member of that body and there is no parliamentary mechanism for one organization forcing the member of an external organization to lose their membership (unless the bylaws of the external organization permits it or the person is an ex officio member of that external body).

But Chris, he was elected to a seat that was not vacant. It's maybe like furiously debating the motion to paint the fire engine teal, then furiously debating the amendment to change the proposed color from teal to red, and finally adopting it all, later to notice that we don't have a fire engine; remember we're the orchid fanciers, not the volunteer fire department. We sometimes get them mixed up, so don't let me get started on the Bank Robbers Guild, who would have no interest in having a fire engine, except maybe to steal one. Or like electing someone treasurer when we don't have an office of treasurer, or, for that matter, any money. (Chris and I could sure commiserate on that one.)

[Edited for clarity.]