out of order for the reason of financial responsibility

[Guest E-Board]

Can a motion to frivolously spend an organization's funds be ruled out of order for the reason of financial responsibility?

For example if a member rises to make a motion that everyone present gets $1000 for attending the meeting? Can that be ruled out of order because itis not financially responsible for the organization?

[Rob Elsman]

One man's spending frivolity is another man's dire need. The deliberative process is used by the assembly to reach a collective judgement on the advisability of the proposed spending.

[Richard Brown]

I don’t know that the motion would necessarily be out of order – in fact, I doubt that it is out of order. However, it can certainly be amended or voted down!

Edited April 18, 2024 at 02:56 PM by Richard Brown
Added the option to amend the motion

[Atul Kapur]

On 4/18/2024 at 10:05 AM, Guest E-Board said:

Can a motion to frivolously spend an organization's funds be ruled out of order for the reason of financial responsibility?

The fact that an idea is very bad (because of financial responsibility or other reasons) is not a reason to rule it out of order. Parliamentary Procedure Protects the Process (TM Pending); it does not protect the organization from following the proper process to make a bad decision.

[Josh Martin]

On 4/18/2024 at 9:05 AM, Guest E-Board said:

Can a motion to frivolously spend an organization's funds be ruled out of order for the reason of financial responsibility?

Generally speaking, no.

I suppose one might imagine particularly ridiculous circumstances where the chair might rule a financial motion out of order on the grounds that it is frivolous or absurd or contains no rational proposition. But a motion cannot be ruled out of order simply on the grounds that it is financially irresponsible.

On 4/18/2024 at 9:05 AM, Guest E-Board said:

For example if a member rises to make a motion that everyone present gets $1000 for attending the meeting? Can that be ruled out of order because itis not financially responsible for the organization?

No, the motion cannot be ruled out of order (at least not for this reason).

Edited April 18, 2024 at 10:12 PM by Josh Martin

[Dan Honemann]

On 4/18/2024 at 10:05 AM, Guest E-Board said:

For example if a member rises to make a motion that everyone present gets $1000 for attending the meeting? Can that be ruled out of order because itis not financially responsible for the organization?

My guess is that such a motion will most likely violate some rule in the organization's governing documents or applicable law.   

[Gary Novosielski]

On 4/18/2024 at 10:05 AM, Guest E-Board said:

Can a motion to frivolously spend an organization's funds be ruled out of order for the reason of financial responsibility?

For example if a member rises to make a motion that everyone present gets $1000 for attending the meeting? Can that be ruled out of order because itis not financially responsible for the organization?

No, that's not sufficient reason to rule the motion out of order.