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Special Meeting called for previous tabled agenda point


Guest Ed Novy

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Can a Special Meeting be called for an agenda point that was tabled at a previous general meeting? What would be the correct procedure? Or is a Special Meeting the wrong way to handle a tabled agenda point?

Not withstanding whether the subsidiary motion "Lay On The Table," was actually applicable or in order at the time, See RONR/11: pg. 213 (line 12 - 17).

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Can a Special Meeting be called for an agenda point that was tabled at a previous general meeting?

Yes.

What would be the correct procedure?

The same as you would handle any other special meeting, with the added step that you would need to use the motion to Take from the Table to bring the motion before the assembly (assuming your meetings are held quarterly - if not, the motion is already dead and may simply be renewed).

Isn't Lay on the Table really just the poor man's Postpone Definitely (or to a Certain Time)?

No. The primary advantage of the motion to Lay on the Table is that it requires only a majority vote for adoption and yet is undebatable. While this accounts for its misuse, it also is of tremendous advantage when the motion is used for its indended purpose.

With a little thought, the latter could be used just as effectively, if not more so.

Well, this is correct unless there is some urgent business which must be attended to immediately, in which case the motion to Postpone Definitely will be ineffective if there is a strong minority determined to not immediately attend to that business.

Is there any advantage to retaining Lay on the Table, considering how often it's misused?

Yes. There are times when urgent business must be attended to, but yet the assembly might not receive the 2/3 vote needed to order the Previous Question on Postpone Definitely, or to Suspend the Rules and take up the business immediately.

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Yes. There are times when urgent business must be attended to, but yet the assembly might not receive the 2/3 vote needed to order the Previous Question on Postpone Definitely, or to Suspend the Rules and take up the business immediately.

Or situations where Postpone Definitely would be out of order, such as an large assembly that has ordered the Previous Question on a main motion which it is about vote on by roll call.
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What would be the correct procedure?

The same as you would handle any other special meeting, with the added step that you would need to use the motion to Take from the Table to bring the motion before the assembly (assuming your meetings are held quarterly - if not, the motion is already dead and may simply be renewed).

And Ed, just to be sure, the intent to Take From The Table must be included in the call of the special meeting. (RONR 11th Ed. p. 213 ll. 14-17)

Josh, thanks for the rest on Lay on the Table.

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