Committees and Sessions

[Tomm]

Is it correct to assume that because all of the meetings of a special committee constitutes a single session, you cannot make the same motion more than once regardless of how many times that special committee may meet? 50:23

This rule, however, does not apply to standing committees.

[Rob Elsman]

Yes, this is true; but, note the special rules for the motion, Reconsider, that apply to committees. RONR (12th ed.) 37:10.

[Rob Elsman]

It might also be worth saying that a special committee ordinarily does not have the power to permanently dispose of a main motion that is referred to it.  The proper course is for the committee to report back to its parent body with a recommendation that the main motion be rejected.

[Tomm]

On 3/1/2024 at 8:58 AM, Rob Elsman said:

note the special rules for the motion, Reconsider, that apply to committees.

Ah yes! But Reconsider must be made on the same day or the very next meeting. Can't do it after that.

[Tomm]

On 3/1/2024 at 9:01 AM, Rob Elsman said:

It might also be worth saying that a special committee ordinarily does not have the power to permanently dispose of a main motion that is referred to it.  The proper course is for the committee to report back to its parent body with a recommendation that the main motion be rejected.

I'm think in terms of a special committee established to revise/rewrite the bylaws that would consist of many meetings over a considerable length of time.

[Rob Elsman]

Re-read item (b).

[Josh Martin]

On 3/1/2024 at 10:02 AM, Tomm said:

Ah yes! But Reconsider must be made on the same day or the very next meeting. Can't do it after that.

The rules pertaining to Reconsider are different in committees.

"The making of this motion is subject to time limits, as follows: In a session of one day—such as an ordinary meeting of a club or a one-day convention—the motion to Reconsider can be made only on the same day the vote to be reconsidered was taken. In a convention or session of more than one day, a reconsideration can be moved only on the same day the original vote was taken or on the next succeeding day within the session on which a business meeting is held. These time limitations do not apply to standing or special committees (see 37:35). Except by unanimous consent, a motion to Reconsider that has not been finally disposed of cannot be withdrawn after it is too late to renew it; that is, it can be withdrawn only within the same time limits as for making the motion in the first place." RONR (12th ed.) 37:10, emphasis added

"Reconsideration in a standing or a special committee (50) differs from reconsideration in a meeting of the assembly in the following respects:

1) A motion to reconsider a vote in the committee can be made and taken up regardless of the time that has elapsed since the vote was taken, and there is no limit to the number of times a question can be reconsidered. Likewise, the rule requiring unanimous consent to renew a defeated motion to Reconsider does not apply in committees.

2) The motion can be made by any member of the committee who did not vote with the losing side; or, in other words, the maker of the motion to Reconsider can be one who voted with the prevailing side, or one who did not vote at all, or even was absent.

3) Unless all the members of the committee who voted with the prevailing side are present or have been given reasonable notice that the reconsideration will be moved, it requires a two-thirds vote to adopt the motion to Reconsider.

In other respects, reconsideration in a committee is the same as in a meeting of the society or its board. A vote cannot be reconsidered in a committee of the whole." RONR (12th ed.) 37:35