Convention rules at a special convention

[J. J.]

The society permits a specific number of local units to call a special convention.  The notice covers the items of business to be considered, but does not specify convention standing rules as one of those items.  May the convention adopt convention standing rules? 

[Atul Kapur]

In other words, are convention standing rules "subsidiary, incidental, or other motions that may arise in connection with the transaction of such business or the conduct of the meeting"? RONR (12th ed.) 9:15

I lean to "Yes" as they appear  to be "other motions that may arise in connection with ... the conduct of the meeting."

Edited March 10, 2024 at 04:31 AM by Atul Kapur

[Josh Martin]

On 3/9/2024 at 4:20 PM, J. J. said:

The society permits a specific number of local units to call a special convention.  The notice covers the items of business to be considered, but does not specify convention standing rules as one of those items.  May the convention adopt convention standing rules? 

I am inclined to think so, for two reasons:

• I concur with Dr. Kapur that a special meeting may consider "subsidiary, incidental, or other motions that may arise in connection with the transaction of such business or the conduct of the meeting." The adoption of convention standing rules, in my view, falls under "other motions that may arise in connection with... the conduct of the meeting.
• In addition, RONR provides that "The official organization of the convention is brought about by the separate consideration and adoption of the reports of three committees mentioned above—the Credentials Committee, the Committee on Standing Rules, and the Program Committee, in that order." RONR (12th ed.) 59:11

[J. J.]

To follow up a bit on this.

This is still a special convention.  Within the convention rules, the rule establishing a standing committee is included.  Under the society's bylaws, there is no specification of standing committees in the bylaws and 50:8 and 50:9 apply.  No notice is given of the rule. 

My questions are:

1.  May a special rule of order, included in convention standing rules, that has some application outside of a meeting, be adopted without notice at a special meeting. 

2.  May a special rule, that has application outside of a meeting, be properly included within convention standing rules.  That is, even at a regular meeting, would (or should) the assembly have to adopt the rule of order separately.

[Atul Kapur]

On 3/12/2024 at 9:45 AM, J. J. said:

2.  May a special rule, that has application outside of a meeting, be properly included within convention standing rules

No, because the bolded part of your question conflicts with the bolded part of RONR (12th ed.) 59:27

Quote

"The Standing Rules of the Convention,” which, as adopted, will apply to that one convention only. 

The answer to 1 is the same, as it is just a particular example of Q2.

As to your preamble about establishing a standing committee by special order, as it would have application outside of the convention, it could not properly be adopted as part of the convention standing rules.

[Josh Martin]

On 3/12/2024 at 8:45 AM, J. J. said:

This is still a special convention.  Within the convention rules, the rule establishing a standing committee is included.  Under the society's bylaws, there is no specification of standing committees in the bylaws and 50:8 and 50:9 apply.  No notice is given of the rule. 

Such a rule is not properly in the nature of a convention standing rule.

The convention is certainly free, if it wishes, to create committees of the convention, which will report back prior to the convention's adjournment. But a rule creating a standing committee of the organization is not a convention standing rule. Rather, it is a special rule of order.

On 3/12/2024 at 8:45 AM, J. J. said:

1.  May a special rule of order, included in convention standing rules, that has some application outside of a meeting, be adopted without notice at a special meeting. 

No.

On 3/12/2024 at 8:45 AM, J. J. said:

2.  May a special rule, that has application outside of a meeting, be properly included within convention standing rules.

No.

On 3/12/2024 at 8:45 AM, J. J. said:

That is, even at a regular meeting, would (or should) the assembly have to adopt the rule of order separately.

Yes.