Is a recommendation the same as a motion, if not does it need a second to be approved

[Guest Swebb]

What is the difference between making a recommendation and a motion?  Does a recommendation need a second?

[Shmuel Gerber]

See RONR, 11th ed., p. 507:

 

“When a report contains recommendations—except in cases where the recommendations relate only to the adoption or rejection of question(s) that were referred while pending (13) and consequently become pending again automatically when reported (pp. 516–19)—the reporting board or committee member usually makes the necessary motion to implement the recommendations at the conclusion of his presentation, provided he is a member of the assembly (see examples, pp. 514–16 and 519ff., in which it is generally assumed that the "reporting member" is a member of the assembly). If the report is read by the secretary or a reading clerk in such a case, the reporting member resumes the floor for the purpose of making the motion immediately after the reading is completed. No second is required in these cases, since the motion is made on behalf of the board or committee (see p. 36, ll. 15–23).

 

“If the person presenting the report is not a member of the assembly or for any other reason does not make the required motion to implement the recommendations as just described, any member of the assembly can do so; but the motion should then be seconded. Or, when the proper motion is a matter of clear-cut procedure and must necessarily be introduced to resolve the case, the chair may sometimes expedite matters by assuming the motion—that is, stating the question on it without waiting for it to be made—provided that the assembly is accustomed to this method.*

 

“*Such a practice is justified by the fact that more than one person must have voted for the recommendation within the board or committee and must therefore wish it to come before the assembly.”

[Guest Guest]

Thank you Mr. Gerber,

If a member of the board recommended something, say to thank someone for work or to have the meeting in a restaurant next time, would this need to be seconded?

[Chris Harrison]

If a member of the board recommended something, say to thank someone for work or to have the meeting in a restaurant next time, would this need to be seconded?

As the citation says it depends on if this "recommendation" is coming from the Board itself and if the Board member is also a member of the body which is (then) meeting.

[Edgar Guest]

As the citation says it depends on if this "recommendation" is coming from the Board itself and if the Board member is also a member of the body which is (then) meeting.

 

Perhaps the body that is meeting is the board?

 

If a member of the board recommended something, say to thank someone for work or to have the meeting in a restaurant next time, would this need to be seconded?

 

Is this taking place at a board meeting? If so the board member would make a motion to send a letter of thanks to "someone" or make a motion that the board meet in Joe's Tavern next time.

[Dan Honemann]

The problem with simply making a recommendation is that a motion needs to be made for its implementation.

[Josh Martin]

Thank you Mr. Gerber,

If a member of the board recommended something, say to thank someone for work or to have the meeting in a restaurant next time, would this need to be seconded?

As previously noted, someone (whether it is the board member or someone else) needs to make a motion to implement the recommendation. The motion may or may not need to be seconded, depending on the specific circumstances.

"Thanking someone" is an interesting example. The issue of recommendations aside, the requirement of a second is generally overlooked for courtesy resolutions, unless there is an objection.

[Guest Guest]

Thank you all. 

 

Would a Resolution be the same?  I don't have the book, that is why I'm on here, and VERY grateful for all of your knowledge.

[Dan Honemann]

Thank you all. 

 

Would a Resolution be the same?  I don't have the book, that is why I'm on here, and VERY grateful for all of your knowledge.

 

The same as what? It's essentially the same as a motion. Both are more then mere recommendations.

[Edgar Guest]

Would a Resolution be the same?

 

A resolution is a motion with a specific format. It often contains a "preamble" with one or more "whereas" clauses followed by one or more "resolved that . . . " clauses. A resolution might be what you want if you're going to thank someone. The "whereas" clauses would list all the wonderful things he did and the "resolved that" would be the "thank you".

[Guest Guest]

Perfect, thank you and have a great weekend.