Accepting a motion from the floor at AGM

[Guest betty D]

I was under the impression that notice of meeting for an AGM was just that and that you weren't allowed to accept "motions" from the floor even under the guise of "New Business" ? I thought that all members were to be give appropriate notice of all motions on the floor.  Not just members in attendance?

 

[Edgar Guest]

Some motions (e.g. motions to amend the bylaws) do require previous notice.

 

Most "ordinary" motions don't require previous notice. That's what "new business" is for. It's not a "guise".

 

But if a majority of the membership doesn't like a motion that was adopted in their absence they may be able to rescind (or otherwise amend) it at a subsequent meeting. Assuming they care enough to take the trouble to actually show up.

[Guest betty d]

Thank you for your quick response!

[Transpower]

Does the agenda have an item labeled "New Business"?  If so, then new motions could be made at that point.  Of course many organizations require that motions be made ahead of the convention--e.g., given to a Resolutions Committee.

[Edgar Guest]

Does the agenda have an item labeled "New Business"?

There was an agenda?

 

Of course many organizations require that motions be made ahead of the convention--e.g., given to a Resolutions Committee.

There was a convention?

[Richard Brown]

As Mr. Guest stated, RONR does not require previous notice of ordinary motions.   However, there is a possibility that your own bylaws do.

 

It is also possible that your organization has informally adopted a "custom" of not allowing motions to be made from the floor unless prior notice has been given of the intent to introduce said motions.  However, if someone makes a point or of order that the custom violates the society's rules or the rules in RONR, the custom must fall to the ground and yield to the actual rule. 

 

Edited to change "point or order" to "point of order".  I really need to proofread better.

[Transpower]

Edgar:  AGM = Annual General Meeting

[Dan Honemann]

Edgar:  AGM = Annual General Meeting

 

And, of course, an Annual General Meeting may or may not be a Convention.

[Gary Novosielski]

I was under the impression that notice of meeting for an AGM was just that and that you weren't allowed to accept "motions" from the floor even under the guise of "New Business" ? I thought that all members were to be give appropriate notice of all motions on the floor.  Not just members in attendance?

 

Not true, according to RONR.  But if you have some local rules that say so, well, maybe your impression was correct.  

 

You need to check your bylaws and special rules of order to see if your impression is actually a misconception.   It would be a pretty common one.