amendments to proposed revision of bylaws

[Guest Frances]

I need some clarification on types of amendments we can make from the floor, without prior notice,  when debating a revision of our bylaws.

 

1.  The revision proposes changing the terms of office from two years to only one year. Can we move to change it back to two years?  This is a lesser change, actually no change at all from the previous constitution. Therefore, I think we can do this.

 

2.  The revision contains a slightly changed  provision from our existing constitution that would allow 10 chapter presidents to call for a special meeting of the Board of Directors to recall an officer and another provision that a vote of 3/5 would be required to recall.the officer. 

 

a)  If we had time to give notice, could we have proposed an amendment to require a larger number of chapter presidents and/or added a requirement that they had to represent a certain percentage of total membership?

 

if we missed the deadline for giving notice (two weeks in advance), my reading of Robert's rules would appear to indicate that we couldn't do this because it would exceed the scope of the original notice calling for a greater change. Is this correct?

 

c)  Also, could we propose a change from 3/5 to 2/3?  We probably could have done so with notice but probably not without?

 

thanks. 

[Timothy]

1. This is a case where you could probably ask that this be considered separately and then you would need only to vote against the change.

 

2. I don't really see anything wrong with what you are proposing to do. Amending to change numbers or to make wording changes within a bylaw that is under consideration is not "greater scope."

[Bruce Lages]

 

2. I don't really see anything wrong with what you are proposing to do. Amending to change numbers or to make wording changes within a bylaw that is under consideration is not "greater scope."

 

Huh?

 

RONR, p.595, ll.3-31 says otherwise.

[jstackpo]

I need some clarification on types of amendments we can make from the floor, without prior notice,  when debating a revision of our bylaws.

 

If (perhaps a big "IF") the previous notice, for the meeting at which the "new" bylaws were to be considered, made it clear that you were presenting a "Revision" (or perhaps a "general revision") of the bylaws, then no detailed notice about specific changes was necessary at all.  The whole "scope of notice" business doesn't make any difference for a revision and ANY portion of the "new" bylaws can be amended from the floor.  P. 593

[Edgar Guest]

Amending to change numbers or to make wording changes within a bylaw that is under consideration is not "greater scope."

 

Changes to numbers can, indeed, fall outside the scope of the notice. But, as Mr. Stackpole noted, if notice of a revision is given, the "scope of the notice" restriction is moot. 

[Guest Frances]

In the case of the provision regarding officer recall, this is a completely new section in the proposed bylaw revision. There was nothing in our current constitution providing for officer recall just a provision for 10 members to call for a special meeting of the board of directors.  So does this affect whether motions to change any of these completely new provisions would have to be "within the scope" or not?

[George Mervosh]

In the case of the provision regarding officer recall, this is a completely new section in the proposed bylaw revision. There was nothing in our current constitution providing for officer recall just a provision for 10 members to call for a special meeting of the board of directors.  So does this affect whether motions to change any of these completely new provisions would have to be "within the scope" or not?

 

There is no scope of the proposed change when a revision is presented for adoption, as Dr. Stackpole and Mr. Edgar mentioned.  New sections can be amended, including being stricken in their entirety.  Amend away.