rescinding proposed changes

[Guest KY Homemakers]

Our by-laws committee sent out to the membership a copy of the by-laws with proposed changes.  After this was done, it was brought to our attention that some changes could not be made due to our registration with the state (changing association to organization) as it would be considered a name change.  We had our meeting and voted on what could be changed and "lay on the table" the changes that could not be made.  We made the corrections that were voted on and now need to know how to deal with the changes that are still hanging out there.  Thank you for your advice.

[Joshua Katz]

Well, as a purely parliamentary matter, I would say that changes that conflict with registration with the state are not prohibited. Any laws or rules preventing you from making those changes are, I think, substantive, not procedural. Your organization, then, gets to vote on whether they are a good idea or not, just like an organization may vote to hire an assassin (but probably shouldn't).

On 5/23/2023 at 6:09 PM, Guest KY Homemakers said:

"lay on the table"

Regardless of everything else, this was a misuse of the motion.

On 5/23/2023 at 6:09 PM, Guest KY Homemakers said:

We made the corrections that were voted on and now need to know how to deal with the changes that are still hanging out there. 

By the terms the organization used, they are not hanging out there. Items laid on the table (even if erroneously, I would submit) may be taken from the table at the next session, if within a quarterly time period. If not taken off the table at such a meeting, they die, and would need to be made anew if there's still interest in making them.

But back up. In most organizations, the bylaws committee issues a report suggesting changes, and then, when its chair delivers the report, the chair (of the committee) moves that the recommendations be adopted. Is that how it works for you? If so, were they moved? If not, it was improper to lay them on the table, since they were never moved in the first place. But also, there's nothing to do with them. Only things that are moved count.

[Guest KY Homemakers]

A motion was made to lay the items on the table, seconded, and voted on.  Is it appropriate to not do anything with them? Our next meeting is in 30 days.  I am just trying to be sure we handle this the correct way.

[Joshua Katz]

But was the motion ever made? Did anyone move to change, for instance, the name from association to organization?

Assuming yes, you've stumbled upon the rare case where it is, in fact, "on the table." Someone could move to take it up, which would require a majority vote, and then you'd vote on the motion. If no one makes such a motion, it dies when the meeting ends. This only really matters if your bylaws have rules requiring amendments go through the committee or have a certain amount of notice, or if someone wants to make a motion that would conflict with or have the same effect as this one while it has not been finally disposed of.

[Guest KY Homemakers]

A motion was never made to change the name.  The only motion made was to lay on the table the proposed change.

[Joshua Katz]

Then, in my opinion, nothing was laid on the table, as there was no motion to dispose of, and the assembly should just continue on as if nothing had happened.

[Gary Novosielski]

On 5/23/2023 at 8:28 PM, Guest KY Homemakers said:

A motion was never made to change the name.  The only motion made was to lay on the table the proposed change.

Well, you can't lay anything on the table which was not currently pending, so technically there is nothing on the table at this point, and nothing need be done unless you want to actually move those questions for some reason.

[Atul Kapur]

Quick and dirty answer: whatever was laid on the table, if ignored, will die of neglect at the adjournment of the next meeting.