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Guest Lisa

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We have a 9 member board - in our sequence of events the staff members presents the recommendation, the chair states you have heard the staff request - usually a board member will make a motion for approval and then the second is made - then discussion between board members takes place and they ask staff questions they may have or the public may have a question about the recommendation, once discussion ends, the chair calls for the vote. Is this the correct sequence of events or -

Can the chair say "you have heard the staff recommendation and then discussion begin without a motion being made by the board member and seconded?

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Several points about your board meetings:

Seconding of motions is not required in meetings of less than about a dozen persons, although you can decide to operate by the more formal method.

In meetings of less than about a dozen persons, the chairman can make motions, speak in debate, and vote with the other members, although you can choose to operate with the more formal method.

"The public" does not have the right to speak in debate, although you can allow it.

Even in the more formal setting, the chairman may "assume" the motion. See Official Interpretation 2007-1..

-Bob

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We have a 9 member board - in our sequence of events the staff members presents the recommendation, the chair states you have heard the staff request - usually a board member will make a motion for approval and then the second is made - then discussion between board members takes place and they ask staff questions they may have or the public may have a question about the recommendation, once discussion ends, the chair calls for the vote. Is this the correct sequence of events or -

Can the chair say "you have heard the staff recommendation and then discussion begin without a motion being made by the board member and seconded?

In a small board like this, the motion and second can be dispensed with. See RONR (10th ed.), p. 470, l. 27; p. 470, l. 33, through p. 471, l. 4.

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But, Lisa, you want to be sure to formulate the required decision clearly, as a "motion" that says exactly what you want to do, support, endorse, buy, &c., before voting on it, even if, as Rob E. suggests, you start the discussion with only a general idea of what you have in mind.

And once the proposal is clearly formulated, members, when they see that "Oh, THAT is what we are deciding, is it!" are free to offer amendments (majority adopts them) to get the statement just right to most everybody's satisfaction.

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Several points about your board meetings:

Seconding of motions is not required in meetings of less than about a dozen persons, although you can decide to operate by the more formal method.

In meetings of less than about a dozen persons, the chairman can make motions, speak in debate, and vote with the other members, although you can choose to operate with the more formal method.

"The public" does not have the right to speak in debate, although you can allow it.

Even in the more formal setting, the chairman may "assume" the motion. See Official Interpretation 2007-1..

-Bob

But, isn't this the standard for larger meetings: Motion upon gaining the floor, Second, then discussion?

As noted by others the level of formaility is one thing but does that suspend the "natural order" of business?

I've learned that one shouldn't break a habit just because the scenery has changed. Maintain the discipline even if the formality is relaxed. Be regcognized, make the motion....

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But, isn't this the standard for larger meetings: Motion upon gaining the floor, Second, then discussion?

You're missing "chair states the question" after "second," but otherwise yes. (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 31, lines 10-23; pg. 40, lines 20-29)

As noted by others the level of formaility is one thing but does that suspend the "natural order" of business?

What you call the "natural order" of business is part of what RONR refers to as part of the formality that can hinder business in smaller assemblies. This order is relaxed in such assemblies. (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 470, lines 17-20)

I've learned that one shouldn't break a habit just because the scenery has changed. Maintain the discipline even if the formality is relaxed. Be regcognized, make the motion....

In small boards (about 12 members or fewer), seconds are not required and informal discussion without a motion pending is permitted. (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 470, lines 27, 31-32) RONR also notes that "Sometimes, when a proposal is perfectly clear to all present, a vote can be taken without a motion's having been introduced." (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 470, lines 33-35, emphasis added) The chair and the members should ensure that the proposal is clear before voting on it, and if it necessary a formal motion should be made (or assumed by the chair).

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