MadamMember Posted January 22, 2019 at 01:09 PM Report Share Posted January 22, 2019 at 01:09 PM The maker of this bylaw years ago moved this bylaw to allow for a minority to call for a roll call vote. The parliamentarian now says that this vote must have the 25% in order to even make the motion, and then that requires a majority to call for the roll call vote. This in effect makes it require more than one person (25%) to second a motion, and then go for a majority vote. Does that seem correct to require 25% to second a motion with this language instead of allowing the minority to call for the roll call vote? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted January 22, 2019 at 01:24 PM Report Share Posted January 22, 2019 at 01:24 PM We can't interpret your rules here but I would not be inclined to view the language the same way your parliamentarian does. I would probably view it the same way as RONR p. 420 ll. 10-15 does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstackpo Posted January 22, 2019 at 01:26 PM Report Share Posted January 22, 2019 at 01:26 PM Correct? No. Your parliamentarian has it wrong. The "request" (a poor choice of words, to be sure) is equivalent to the vote to adopt the motion for a roll-call vote. But if the membership (not the parliamentarian alone) wishes to interpret the bylaw as requiring a "25% second" (whatever that means), so be it. See page 588. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Zev Posted January 22, 2019 at 11:09 PM Report Share Posted January 22, 2019 at 11:09 PM In my opinion the ruling by the parliamentarian renders the bylaw language absurd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadamMember Posted January 23, 2019 at 06:57 PM Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2019 at 06:57 PM Guest Zev, and by doing so, it is meaningless, right? Is that what you mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadamMember Posted January 23, 2019 at 07:04 PM Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2019 at 07:04 PM Chris Harrison, it appears that our bylaws do specify the minority that can adopt the motion to use a roll call vote. THANK YOU for the RONO citation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted January 23, 2019 at 07:14 PM Report Share Posted January 23, 2019 at 07:14 PM (edited) On 1/22/2019 at 8:09 AM, MadamMember said: The maker of this bylaw years ago moved this bylaw to allow for a minority to call for a roll call vote. The parliamentarian now says that this vote must have the 25% in order to even make the motion, and then that requires a majority to call for the roll call vote. This in effect makes it require more than one person (25%) to second a motion, and then go for a majority vote. Does that seem correct to require 25% to second a motion with this language instead of allowing the minority to call for the roll call vote? I'm not a member of your organization, and so my opinion is not worth the electrons it's printed with, but it seems clear to me that a roll call vote is required upon the demand of 1/4 of the members present. Only the threshold is specified here, so the motion itself would require only the normal mover and a seconder, and an affirmative vote of 25% or more of those members present. There is nothing optional about it, and no mention of any majority requirement. For what it's worth, this is a fairly common parliamentary provision, where a minority of those present may demand a roll-call vote. Thresholds of 1/4, or 1/5, or even less are not uncommon. Edited January 23, 2019 at 07:15 PM by Gary Novosielski Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadamMember Posted January 23, 2019 at 07:48 PM Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2019 at 07:48 PM THANK YOU! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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