Moving an item to action after the agenda has been adopted

[Guest School Superintendent]

This question arose from a school board. After adopting an agenda with, among other things, a section of discussion only items and discussion and action items. Is it possible, within roberts rules of order, to move an item to discussion and action during the same item. If so, how would you do it. Emphasis on after the agenda has been adopted and the meeting is underway.

[Guest Edgar]

Is it possible, within roberts rules of order, to move an item to discussion and action during the same item. If so, how would you do it.

The adopted agenda can be amended by, you guessed it, a motion to amended something previously adopted (ASPA). It will take either a two-thirds vote, the vote of a majority of the entire membership (of the board) or unanimous consent.

[Sean Hunt]

This question arose from a school board. After adopting an agenda with, among other things, a section of discussion only items and discussion and action items. Is it possible, within roberts rules of order, to move an item to discussion and action during the same item. If so, how would you do it. Emphasis on after the agenda has been adopted and the meeting is underway.

Any action item should properly include debate; is there any reason you cannot debate it when the motion is made?

[Dan Honemann]

I'm inclined to think that an agenda which includes "discussion only items and discussion and action items" would require a two-thirds vote for its adoption in order to be effective as to such limitations.

[Robert B Fish]

Many school boards have only a small number of members, say as few as 3 or as many of 7 to 9. By a number of routes, esp. ASPA but also suspend the rules, the motion could be moved to consideration by a majority of the entire membership unless you have a number of absent members.

However, statutes applicable to your situation are probably more controlling and that should be addressed by your board's attorne.. For example, before voting, notice is frequently required.

-Bob

[Guest School Superintendent]

Thank you all very much for your time and help. It is greatly appreciated.

[Gary Novosielski]

There's no reason to move an item from "action" to "discussion" because action items can be almost always be debated before the vote takes place.

The "discussion only" items may be classified as such for a variety of reasons. In some cases public bodies such as school boards have extended requirements for previous notice so that the public can be present to observe, and sometimes to comment on, businesses in which they have an interest as it is is discussed, or acted upon. Statutes or other procedural rules may supersede RONR and prevent a school board from acting prematurely on an item that was listed for discussion only. But such rules (if any) would be beyond the scope of this forum, which deals with the rules in RONR. Under the rules in RONR, changing an adopted agenda is a motion to Amend Something Previously Adopted.

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Mr. Honemann (as usual) raises an interesting question: Would initial adoption of the agenda require a two-thirds vote, suspending the rules of the ordinary conduct of business, which normally permit voting on any item? And would that answer change if there were special rules of order in place governing discussion vs.action items, thereby defining this distinction as "normal"?

[Tim Wynn]

I'm inclined to think that an agenda which includes "discussion only items and discussion and action items" would require a two-thirds vote for its adoption in order to be effective as to such limitations.

I concur, if the effect would be to prevent the introduction of any motion.

However, "discussion only" has no place in a deliberative assembly, since it's inconsistent with the first characteristic on page 1.

Also, I think that if it's not clearly put as something tantamount to objecting to the consideration, the matter can still be introduced for consideration by a motion by any member.

[Rob Elsman]

I'm inclined to think that an agenda which includes "discussion only items and discussion and action items" would require a two-thirds vote for its adoption in order to be effective as to such limitations.

I also agree with the others.

[tctheatc]

I agree with those who agree with the others.

[Guest Nancy N.]

So it's all settled?

[Shmuel Gerber]

So it's all settled?

No. Of course, I agree with Dan, but I disagree with the others, merely for the sake of form.