Reconsider and enter on the minutes

[Tomm]

Am I understanding this correctly that this motion has nothing to do with a motion that was previously offered (motion to reconsider) but with a brand new motion that is being presented to take advantage of quorum that has suddenly found the minority to be in the majority?

Another words, just because the word "reconsider" is used in both motions, the one motion has nothing to do with the other.

[Josh Martin]

On 11/6/2022 at 2:42 PM, Tomm said:

Am I understanding this correctly that this motion has nothing to do with a motion that was previously offered (motion to reconsider) but with a brand new motion that is being presented to take advantage of quorum that has suddenly found the minority to be in the majority?

Another words, just because the word "reconsider" is used in both motions, the one motion has nothing to do with the other.

No, this is not a correct understanding. The motions to Reconsider and to Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes are closely related.

The motion to Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes is used in regard to a vote which has already been taken, just like a motion to Reconsider. For the most part, the rules for these motions are identical. There are, however, several differences, which are described in 37:47. The key difference is that, unlike the motion to Reconsider, it cannot be called up on the same day it was made (with one exception).

While you understand correctly that it is used "to prevent a temporary majority from taking advantage of an unrepresentative attendance at a meeting," the motion to Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes is nonetheless is made after the vote has been taken on a motion. It cannot be used to delay action on a motion prior to the vote being taken.

[Tomm]

On 11/6/2022 at 3:21 PM, Josh Martin said:

The motions to Reconsider and to Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes are closely related.

Okay thanks. Got it!

It is in regards to a previously stated motion but is protection against reconsidering it if the make-up of the quorum suddenly changed!

[Richard Brown]

On 11/6/2022 at 4:35 PM, Tomm said:

Okay thanks. Got it!

It is in regards to a previously stated motion but is protection against reconsidering it if the make-up of the quorum suddenly changed!

Well, it's protection against reconsidering the motion sought to be reconsidered at the same meeting at which the motion to be reconsidered was adopted.  It prohibits taking up the motion to reconsider until at least the next day.

Edited November 7, 2022 at 12:35 AM by Richard Brown
re-worded second sentence.

[Gary Novosielski]

On 11/6/2022 at 5:35 PM, Tomm said:

It is in regards to a previously stated motion but is protection against reconsidering it if the make-up of the quorum suddenly changed!

Mmmmno.   There's nothing implying that the quorum suddenly changed.  Quorum rarely changes, since it is set by a rule, but it may be achieved or lost.  Still, that's not what is meant here.

The motion is used when a quorum is present, but for some reason the makeup of the attendees is heavily weighted in favor of a particular faction that, while they may be a majority of those present, are not representative of the assembly as a whole.  For example, some group of members who want to paint the clubhouse magenta with orange stripes.  Most of the membership would hate that, but due to some unexpected traffic on the Interstate, most of the sane members couldn't make it, but the magentanistas somehow showed up in force, and they do constitute a quorum, so business can be conducted.

Seeing an opportunity, one of their number, under New Business, rises and moves that the clubhouse be painted magenta with orange stripes.  The motion is apparently on its way to receiving a majority vote.  But someone from the sane faction, realizing what is about to happen, pulls out his copy of RONR and flips to the rarely used 37:46.  He realizes that in order to move to Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes, he must have voted on the prevailing side of the motion to paint the clubhouse, so even though he opposes it, he votes Yes.  The motion passes, and one of the purple gang offers to go buy the paint the next day.

But then our hero gains recognition, and says "I move to Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes the vote on the motion to paint the clubhouse."  Someone seconds the motion.   <whew>   This prevents any action (such as buying paint, or starting to paint) from taking place until the assembly has had the opportunity to Reconsider the motion to paint, re-debate it, and re-vote on it, which cannot take place on the same day. 

So, for the time being, the painting is delayed, and with any luck at the next meeting there will be enough normal people present to call up the motion to Reconsider and vote down the motion to paint the clubhouse magenta.

,

 

Edited November 7, 2022 at 01:20 AM by Gary Novosielski

[Tomm]

My misunderstanding came from reading the explanation in C. Alan Jennings book on Robert's Rules!

[Josh Martin]

On 11/6/2022 at 4:35 PM, Tomm said:

...if the make-up of the quorum suddenly changed!

This phrase makes no sense. The word "quorum" simply refers to the minimum number of members that must be present in order to conduct business. There is no "make-up" of the quorum and therefore it is not possible for the make-up of the quorum to change. Presumably what you intended to say is if the make-up of the members present suddenly changed.

(I also concur with Mr. Novosielski that, while a change in attendance during the meeting is certainly one possible reason why Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes would be appropriate, it is not the only reason.)

On 11/6/2022 at 7:56 PM, Tomm said:

My misunderstanding came from reading the explanation in C. Alan Jennings book on Robert's Rules!

The example given in Mr. Jennings' book is just that - an example. It is not the only circumstance in which Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes would be appropriate.

Edited November 7, 2022 at 02:15 AM by Josh Martin