Motion Withdrawal

[Guest Beverly Smith]

Member made motion that was seconded, discussion followed, vote called and motion passed.  Members raised issue of about 15 members of the body were out of the room counting votes on officer's elections and missed the very important vote.  Parliamentarian ruled vote stands because those out the room during a business meeting missed the benefit of the discussion, even though they were conducted business of the organization. These absent members started coming into the room to vote and to be counted.  Meanwhile, maker of the motion withdrew her motion so the President announced the motion was withdrawn and the vote passing the motion did not stand. Now, due to changed circumstances, those who lost the vote now want the vote back on the floor to stand and are saying the motion cannot be withdrawn after it was voted on. Is that right? 

[Josh Martin]

Member made motion that was seconded, discussion followed, vote called and motion passed.  Members raised issue of about 15 members of the body were out of the room counting votes on officer's elections and missed the very important vote.  Parliamentarian ruled vote stands because those out the room during a business meeting missed the benefit of the discussion, even though they were conducted business of the organization.

 

It is correct that it is in order to conduct business (including voting) while some members of the assembly are out of the room to count votes. I would note, however, that whether a member "missed the benefit of the discussion" has nothing to do with whether he can vote. If the members had been at the meeting when the vote was taken, they could have voted, even if they had missed most or all of the debate.

 

Meanwhile, maker of the motion withdrew her motion so the President announced the motion was withdrawn and the vote passing the motion did not stand. Now, due to changed circumstances, those who lost the vote now want the vote back on the floor to stand and are saying the motion cannot be withdrawn after it was voted on. Is that right? 

 

It is correct that the motion could not be withdrawn after the vote was taken, but it's too late to complain about that now. Generally speaking, a Point of Order must be raised at the time of the violation. If some members still support this motion, someone should just make it again at the next meeting.

[Gary Novosielski]

Member made motion that was seconded, discussion followed, vote called and motion passed.  Members raised issue of about 15 members of the body were out of the room counting votes on officer's elections and missed the very important vote.  Parliamentarian ruled vote stands because those out the room during a business meeting missed the benefit of the discussion, even though they were conducted business of the organization. These absent members started coming into the room to vote and to be counted.  Meanwhile, maker of the motion withdrew her motion so the President announced the motion was withdrawn and the vote passing the motion did not stand. Now, due to changed circumstances, those who lost the vote now want the vote back on the floor to stand and are saying the motion cannot be withdrawn after it was voted on. Is that right? 

 

Yes, and "mistakes were made" as the Governor likes to say, but that's all water under the G.W. Bridge at this point. If there are members who want this matter voted on, they can simply make the motion at the next meeting.  That's a lot easier than worrying over what coulda shoulda woulda happened if everything had been done properly.

 

And get a parliamentarian who knows something about parliamentary procedure, this time, who won't make up rules out of thin air.