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Quashing a motion


Guest KEN

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Does any member or officer of a committee/organization have the right to completely quash or prevent legitimate members of that committee from making a motion? If so, can that member or officer limit or decide when or how a motion is made?

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No single member can do that under RONR. However, as a disciplinary option the members of the organization (committees cannot discipline their own per RONR p. 484) can by majority vote (or it might be a 2/3 vote-stay tuned) remove a particular member's right to make motions, speak in debate, vote, or even attend the meeting (RONR p. 625).

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No single member can do that under RONR. However, as a disciplinary option the members of the organization (committees cannot discipline their own per RONR p. 484) can by majority vote (or it might be a 2/3 vote-stay tuned) remove a particular member's right to make motions, speak in debate, vote, or even attend the meeting (RONR p. 625).

Thank you. That's very helpful. Our organization's president told the board that he has the right to quash and/or prevent any motion from being made, seconded, discussed or voted on for any reason at any time. I know motions can be 'out of order' but to completely prevent them without rhyme or reason at any given time doesn't make sense. If that were the case, why even have a board? Even if a motion is out of order, it can be brought up at an appropriate time again, can't it?

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Even if a motion is out of order, it can be brought up at an appropriate time again, can't it?

Yes. However, even if the President rules a motion out of order you can Appeal such a ruling (RONR pp. 247-252). Also, you should take a look at p. 642 under "Remedies Against Misconduct or Dereliction of Duty in Office" in case if the President persists on not permitting a motion. If you all want to rein in the President a bit you can Suspend the Rules to have someone else preside (takes a 2/3 vote). See Official Interpretation 2005-2 and this script for details. Finally, if you all are just tired of having him as President see FAQ #20.

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Thank you. That's very helpful. Our organization's president told the board that he has the right to quash and/or prevent any motion from being made, seconded, discussed or voted on for any reason at any time. I know motions can be 'out of order' but to completely prevent them without rhyme or reason at any given time doesn't make sense. If that were the case, why even have a board? Even if a motion is out of order, it can be brought up at an appropriate time again, can't it?

The president has the duty to state and put each and every question that legitimately comes before the assembly and is in order under the rules in the current parliamentary situation. See RONR (10th ed.), p. 434, ll. 7-15. If a motion is ruled out of order, it can be made again when there is a change in time or circumstances that would make the motion to be in order.

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