Discussion with no motion

[Guest Samantha Marie]

Must all discussion be related to a motion?  For example, a member was recognized.  She asked why a prospect was not contacted by the president.  The president explained his reasoning.  Discussion ensued.  The group seemed unanimous in their opinion that president should have contacted the prospect.  He agreed that he should have done so, and said he would initiate contact.  This occurred with no motion on the floor.  Should the member raising the topic have presented it in the form of a motion, or could the rules have been suspended?

[George Mervosh]

Must all discussion be related to a motion?  For example, a member was recognized.  She asked why a prospect was not contacted by the president.  The president explained his reasoning.  Discussion ensued.  The group seemed unanimous in their opinion that president should have contacted the prospect.  He agreed that he should have done so, and said he would initiate contact.  This occurred with no motion on the floor.  Should the member raising the topic have presented it in the form of a motion, or could the rules have been suspended?

 

This could have been a legitimate Request for Information depending on what exactly was pending or going on when the question was asked. 

 

"A Request for Information (also called a Point of Information) is a request directed to the chair, or through the chair to another officer or member, for information relevant to the business at hand but not related to parliamentary procedure."  RONR (11th ed.), p. 294

 

After the president answered the question he should not have allowed a discussion to take place without a motion pending, perhaps, in this case, some motion directing the president to initiate contact.

[Gary Novosielski]

Must all discussion be related to a motion?  For example, a member was recognized.  She asked why a prospect was not contacted by the president.  The president explained his reasoning.  Discussion ensued.  The group seemed unanimous in their opinion that president should have contacted the prospect.  He agreed that he should have done so, and said he would initiate contact.  This occurred with no motion on the floor.  Should the member raising the topic have presented it in the form of a motion, or could the rules have been suspended?

Well, suspending the rules would have required a motion anyway.