Motion Discussion

[Guest Len Kaner]

recently a matter was brought to the Board for purchasing an item. the Board discussed the matter in length then asked for a motion. there was no motion so the matter was closed. question is, shouldn't the matter have been accepted with a motion by the Board for discussion and then a vote taken counting the ayes and nays

[George Mervosh]

Typically, yes. Smaller boards can and do discuss matters without a motion though. RONR, pp. 470-471.

[Kim Goldsworthy]

recently a matter was brought to the Board for purchasing an item. the Board discussed the matter in length then asked for a motion. there was no motion so the matter was closed. question is, shouldn't the matter have been accepted with a motion by the Board for discussion and then a vote taken counting the ayes and nays

It is possible to:

• hear a report from some committee

• be made aware of some problem, deficiency, need, or other matter

• have the committee itself make no recommendation (coming out of its report)

• have no motion arise from the assembled members

• move on with the rest of the meeting, or the rest of the agenda

Whoever "brought up the matter" failed when he failed to close his presentation or his report with a motion addressing the issue in question.

That would have been normal and natural. - E.g., a committee recommends Solution S for Problem P, per its written report.

But if nothing happens, because of apathy, of ignorance, or of political correctness, then the proper step is to continue with the rest of the meeting.

You cannot force a body to make a motion.

"You can lead a board to matter, but you can't make it think."

- with apologies to a pun by Dorothy Parker, circa 1925