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Conduct required of losing minority


Guest Fred Pugh

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In a situation where a vote is taken, are there any protocols for how the minority handles defeat? Are they expected to uphold the majority decision or at least not work to undermine the majority decision in the larger assembly? Isth2e minority allowed to continue to lobby against the decision in hopes of overturning the majority decision? Are there any defined protocols?

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Are they expected to uphold the majority decision or at least not work to undermine the majority decision in the larger assembly?

 

No. If, for example, a committee submits a report to the "larger assembly" recommending a certain action, any member of the committee (who is also a member of the larger assembly) is free to argue against, and vote against, the committee's recommendation, regardless of how he voted in committee.

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Are they expected to uphold the majority decision or at least not work to undermine the majority decision in the larger assembly?

 

No.

 

Is the minority allowed to continue to lobby against the decision in hopes of overturning the majority decision?

 

Yes.

 

Are there any defined protocols?

 

The minority members of the committee have the same right to speak in debate against the motion and vote against the motion as any other member of the assembly. They may also seek permission from the assembly (which may be granted by majority vote) to formally submit a minority report expressing their views. See RONR, 11th ed., pgs. 527-529 for more information.

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I'm wondering if the OP, rather than talking about the minority position of a committee, is talking about the "losers" of a vote.  IOW if an assembly adopts a motion  by a vote of 25-15, how are the 15 supposed to act?

 

One would think/hope they'd respect the will of the majority.  They could move to rescind or amend the adopted motion, but perhaps "undermining" the decision is going too far. Rules of decorum would still apply.

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The nice quote, in the introduction p. xlix reads:

 

"the minority, having failed to win a majority to their views, gracefully to submit and to recognize the action as that of the entire organization, and cheerfully to assist in carrying it out, until they can secure its repeal.”**

Would that it always worked that way...

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I'm wondering if the OP, rather than talking about the minority position of a committee, is talking about the "losers" of a vote.  IOW if an assembly adopts a motion  by a vote of 25-15, how are the 15 supposed to act?

 

One would think/hope they'd respect the will of the majority.  They could move to rescind or amend the adopted motion, but perhaps "undermining" the decision is going too far. Rules of decorum would still apply.

 

The original poster's question specifically asks whether the members can "work to undermine the majority decision in the larger assembly." This implies that the OP is asking about a majority decision reached in a committee or similar body.

 

If the OP was asking about a majority vote within the society itself, I agree that would change things somewhat.

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