Calling for Motions

[cpnet]

Our Chamber bylaws state that meetings will be conducted according to Robert's Rules. Our bylaws also say that:

"The President shall preside at all General Meetings of the Chamber, Board and Executive and shall regulate the order of business at such meetings, receive and put lawful motions, and communicate to the meeting what may concern the Chamber".

I'd like to confirm the following as there has been some disagreement with our Board:

• The Chair (our President) can bring a draft/proposed Agenda to a General Meeting, but it must be approved by a vote of the Membership
  
  • Prior to accepting the Agenda, Members can ammend the Agenda and add Motions
    

  [*]Members can submit motions for inclusion in the Agenda prior to a meeting, and/or introduce new Motions later on during the meeting

  • Do new Motions not included in an Agenda have to be introduced during a "New Business" section of the Meeting?
    
  • Is there a requirement to have a "New Business" portion at a Meeting?
    

  [*]The Chair/President must accept all Motions proposed for the Agenda and/or introduced later in a meeting; of course, there will be no discussion or vote on Motions that do not get 'first' or 'second' support.

What is the recourse for Members if the Chair won't add Motions to the Agenda, and/or won't accept new Motions later during the meeting?

Thank you.

[Hieu H. Huynh]

An unanswered question is like a gift waiting to be opened...

[Josh Martin]

An unanswered question is like a gift waiting to be opened...

Well, I expect the original poster has moved on since March of 2012, but for others who are interested in these questions...

Do new Motions not included in an Agenda have to be introduced during a "New Business" section of the Meeting?

Generally speaking, yes.

Is there a requirement to have a "New Business" portion at a Meeting?

No... but refusing to permit New Business is not as simple as failing to include "New Business" on the agenda. An assembly may, if it wishes, adopt rules which do not permit the introduction of New Business during a meeting, or at least make it more difficult. An assembly could also simply adjourn before there is an opportunity to introduce New Business.

The Chair/President must accept all Motions proposed for the Agenda and/or introduced later in a meeting; of course, there will be no discussion or vote on Motions that do not get 'first' or 'second' support.

Not quite. The chair is not required to include motions on his proposed agenda based on a member's request. When the agenda is pending for adoption, adding a motion requires a majority vote. The chair can't decide whether to "accept" a motion made during the meeting based merely on his personal opinion.

What is the recourse for Members if the Chair won't add Motions to the Agenda, and/or won't accept new Motions later during the meeting?

As noted, the chair is not required to add motions to his proposed agenda based upon a member's request. If the chair refuses to add a motion to the agenda which the assembly has decided to add, or refuses to state the question on a motion, the proper recourse is a Point of Order, followed by an Appeal if necessary.