Seconding a Motion

[spe9223783]

Must the person who seconds a motion be in favor of that motion? We have a motion on the table and seconded by a board member who is not in favor of the motion. Another board member is questioning the validity of his second. In short, must the second come only from one in favor of said motion or can it come from anyone?

[David A Foulkes]

Must the person who seconds a motion be in favor of that motion? We have a motion on the table and seconded by a board member who is not in favor of the motion. Another board member is questioning the validity of his second. In short, must the second come only from one in favor of said motion or can it come from anyone?

The member who seconds need not be in favor of, nor vote affirmatively for, the motion. By seconding, the member simply indicates an interest in bringing it before the assembly for debate and vote, and may in fact hope it gets voted down.

[Rob Elsman]

In small boards, a second for a motion is not required. See RONR (10th ed.), p. 470, l. 27.

[Robert B Fish]

In boards where the number of persons meeting is less than about a dozen, seconding of motions is not required.

-Bob

[Rev Ed]

I concur, the seconder need not vote in favour, but as RONR claims that the actual person who seconds a motion is not important, why worry.