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Guest dcb2

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We have a contract meeting coming scheduled @ 7p.m. with voting starting @ 7:15.

How were these times determined? Is it in the bylaws as such? Was it in the call of the meeting? Is this customary procedure for your meetings? Was this adopted as (and I'm not sure how, nor if proper, but just asking, so be gentle with me guys) as a special order at the previous meeting?

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Was this adopted as (and I'm not sure how, nor if proper, but just asking, so be gentle with me guys) as a special order at the previous meeting?

It's not proper. While the time for taking up the special order could be set at the previous meeting (2/3 vote), it would not be proper to set the time for taking the vote at the previous meeting, as this would interfere with the freedom of each session (unless this is an adjourned meeting, but that seems unlikely). (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 85, lines 14-20; pg. 179, lines 18-20)

If this is a new session, the only way the time for the vote to be taken could have already been determined would be by a rule at least on the level of a special rule of order.

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  • 3 weeks later...

The president does not set the agenda, including the hour at which debate is to be closed and the question is to be put to a vote. See FAQ #14 at www.robertsrules.com, especially the second paragraph of the answer.

If our president is setting the agenda without providing the opportunity to have it adopted, how should one take issue with this during the meeting? Should one interrupt and state their objection at the start of the meeting?

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We have a contract meeting coming scheduled @ 7p.m. with voting starting @ 7:15.

...

Can you vote while still in discussion?

...

If our president is setting the agenda without providing the opportunity to have it adopted, how should one take issue with this during the meeting?

Should one interrupt and state their objection at the start of the meeting?

No, you cannot vote while still in discussion.

The steps are:

1. a motion is made (see Previous Question) to close debate and vote immediately.

2.a. if Previous Question is adopted, then you conduct a vote.

2.b. if Previous Question is defeated, then debate continues, until Step #1, or until a motion is made to defer action otherwise.

That's it.

***

Re agenda.

Certainly, someone ought to draft an agenda, just for the sake of not skipping over business due to one's poor memory.

The secretary, or the president, or both in tandem, can do this task.

The agenda so drafted is not binding.

However, the agenda can be binding if adopted at the top of the meeting.

But that adoption is optional, and certainly not necessary, and maybe not even desirable, depending on conditions.

The members are free to ADD or SUBTRACT items of business on their own agenda.

No president can force an agenda on the members.

The agenda is guideline, and is subject to AMENDMENT, as the members wish.

The standard default "order of business" in RONR includes a class of business called "new business" where members are free to make motions on non-agendized items.

The president cannot suppress new business.

As always, if you have rules in place which supersede the above, then obey your customized rules.

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If our president is setting the agenda without providing the opportunity to have it adopted, how should one take issue with this during the meeting? Should one interrupt and state their objection at the start of the meeting?

Yes, a Point of Order may be raised, and an appeal, if necessary. (RONR, 10th ed., pg. 247)

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