Laying reports on the Table

[Sean Hunt]

Frank is a member of a society with a fairly active membership. At one particularly busy meeting, the hour is getting late, but a few members have items that they would like to bring up. They have also waited quite a while. In the interests of ensuring that these members are not ignored, Frank quickly obtains a list of the business to be brought up and moves that the matters be made general orders for the next meeting; the motion is adopted without much debate, and everyone goes home and gets some rest.

At the next monthly meeting, Frank has a piece of urgent business that he believes should take precedence over all the other items of business, even the general orders carried over from the previous meeting. After the minutes are approved, Frank seeks recognition before the President's report, and he subsequently moves to Suspend the Rules and take up his business immediately. The motion fails with only a majority, but not two thirds, in favour. Seeing this, he realizes he will not be able to take it up directly, but knowing RONR well, he knows he can make motions to Lay on the Table all intervening business until his item can be dealt with, supported by the majority.

The President again prepares to deliver his report. Can Frank at any point move to Lay on the Table the report from the President, or is he required to wait until reports are finished before he can embark on his quest to fill the table with all the business that is not his motion?

[Dan Honemann]

Frank is a member of a society with a fairly active membership. At one particularly busy meeting, the hour is getting late, but a few members have items that they would like to bring up. They have also waited quite a while. In the interests of ensuring that these members are not ignored, Frank quickly obtains a list of the business to be brought up and moves that the matters be made general orders for the next meeting; the motion is adopted without much debate, and everyone goes home and gets some rest.

At the next monthly meeting, Frank has a piece of urgent business that he believes should take precedence over all the other items of business, even the general orders carried over from the previous meeting. After the minutes are approved, Frank seeks recognition before the President's report, and he subsequently moves to Suspend the Rules and take up his business immediately. The motion fails with only a majority, but not two thirds, in favour. Seeing this, he realizes he will not be able to take it up directly, but knowing RONR well, he knows he can make motions to Lay on the Table all intervening business until his item can be dealt with, supported by the majority.

The President again prepares to deliver his report. Can Frank at any point move to Lay on the Table the report from the President, or is he required to wait until reports are finished before he can embark on his quest to fill the table with all the business that is not his motion?

I think the short answer to this question is no, although a motion arising out of his report might be laid on the table.