Motion passed but not acted upon, so

[Guest Shelley Pedersen]

During our 2014 term of office, a motion was made and passed to make a specific donation to a 501c3 for a specific program, but the check was never cut (treasurer error).  Now in 2015, the new VP didn't check into the matter beforehand, and recently proposed a new motion (which passed) to donate to the same entity for the same program - however with substantial/material changes in dollar amount and intent.  I was told that since the first motion wasn't acted upon/completed, it was moot/dead, and this new motion could just (basically) ignore that it ever existed and go forth in this new direction.  Is this correct? 

[jstackpo]

Not exactly.

 

If the first "donate" motion had a time limit or a date certain in it (which has expired or passed, of course), then it is indeed no longer in effect.

 

But if not, then it remains a valid motion and the second "donate differently" motion is void.  See p. 251, ( b ) ,  but read on there to see if the "unless" clause applies in your situation.

[Guest Shelley Pedersen]

- thanks very much!  There was no 'expiration date' so stated in the original motion.  I will look up the cited section...much appreciated!

[Hieu H. Huynh]

It may also be useful to note that the vote required to rescind or amend the previously adopted motion is a two-thirds vote, a majority vote with previous notice, or a vote of a majority of the entire membership. (p. 306)