Can discussion continue after motion & second before vote?

[Guest Gayle Pedemonte]

Once a motion is made and seconded do we need to call for a vote. Sometimes non-board members will start discussion that may confuse the issue up for a vote. I'm confused as to when discussion can take place.

[Rob Elsman]

In an executive board, debate is limited to members of the board.  A visitor is not allowed to make a speech in debate unless the rules are suspended by a two-thirds vote.

As to your question, though, debate, if allowed under the rules, commences after a motion has been made, seconded, and stated by the chair.

[jstackpo]

In (very) concise terms, the normal procedure for handling a motion, once it has been moved (after proper recognition of the mover) and seconded is...

STATE

DEBATE

TABULATE the vote

ANNUNCIATE the result

See RONR page 37 ff. for the details (using slightly different headings that don't rhyme as nicely).

Part of Gayle's problem is that the chair seems to have skipped the "STATE" step, and then (improperly) let non-board members (presumably in a Board meeting) debate (without permission).  Debate is a right of the board members only.   Only AFTER the debate has ended, the chair calls for the vote and figures out ("TABULATES") which side won. Then announces (ANNUNCIATES) the result so that all the members know what it is.

You DON'T skip the DEBATE step, except for certain undebatable motions - see the book for them.

[Shmuel Gerber]

15 minutes ago, jstackpo said:

STATE

DEBATE

TABULATE the vote

ANNUNCIATE the result

See RONR page 37 ff. for the details (using slightly different headings that don't rhyme as nicely).

Rhyme, shmime. 🙂

That's not an accurate summary of the process, for a couple of reasons. First, before there are any votes to tabulate, the members have to vote, which happens only when the chair puts the question, clearly indicating what is being voted on.

Second, in a great many instances (nobody, AFAIK, has tabulated exactly what percentage), there is no tabulation involved in deciding which side has prevailed in the vote; the chair simply estimates which side is greater by looking at the members who have risen or listening to the members who have responded to a voice vote.

[Gary Novosielski]

2 hours ago, Shmuel Gerber said:

Rhyme, shmime. 🙂

That's not an accurate summary of the process, for a couple of reasons. First, before there are any votes to tabulate, the members have to vote, which happens only when the chair puts the question, clearly indicating what is being voted on.

Second, in a great many instances (nobody, AFAIK, has tabulated exactly what percentage), there is no tabulation involved in deciding which side has prevailed in the vote; the chair simply estimates which side is greater by looking at the members who have risen or listening to the members who have responded to a voice vote.

Okay, how about:  STATE, DEBATE, RECAPITULATE, EVALUATE, ESTIMATE (or TABULATE); ANNUNCIATE; EXPLICATE ?

[Shmuel Gerber]

9 minutes ago, Gary Novosielski said:

Okay, how about:  STATE, DEBATE, RECAPITULATE, EVALUATE, ESTIMATE (or TABULATE); ANNUNCIATE; EXPLICATE ?

It's too soon to recapitulate -- I haven't even capitulated yet.

[Gary Novosielski]

3 minutes ago, Shmuel Gerber said:

It's too soon to recapitulate -- I haven't even capitulated yet.

Resistance is futyle.