Rediscussion of a voted down subject

[Guest Alan Armstrong]

In our lodge, a dress code discussion was brought to the floor. There are no rules in our by-laws that state a mandatory dress requirement for officers. We have been wearing what the Lodge prescribed by membership vote about 35 years ago. After short discussion, a member made a motion to not change the attire and was approved by vote. How soon can it be brought to the floor again by another member that has prepared a different idea of dress attire.

[Weldon Merritt]

The "motion to not change the attire" was out of order, as the same result could have been achieved by doing nothing. But regardless, a motion to change the dress rules can be made at the very next meeting. This would be a motion to amend someting previously adopted (the original dress code), which could be adopted by a majority vote if previous notice is given. Without previous notice, it would requre either a two-thirds vote or a vote of a majority of the entire membership.

[Guest Alan Armstrong]

The "motion to not change the attire" was out of order, as the same result could have been achieved by doing nothing. But regardless, a motion to change the dress rules can be made at the very next meeting. This would be a motion to amend someting previously adopted (the original dress code), which could be adopted by a majority vote if previous notice is given. Without previous notice, it would requre either a two-thirds vote or a vote of a majority of the entire membership.

[Gary Novosielski]

In our lodge, a dress code discussion was brought to the floor. There are no rules in our by-laws that state a mandatory dress requirement for officers. We have been wearing what the Lodge prescribed by membership vote about 35 years ago. After short discussion, a member made a motion to not change the attire and was approved by vote. How soon can it be brought to the floor again by another member that has prepared a different idea of dress attire.

The way a discussion gets brought to the floor is by a motion. You were doing things backward by having the discussion first, and then the motion. Doing things that way is likely to cause you to do silly things, like making motions NOT to do things.

The proper way to cause discussion of the dress code is to make a motion to change it. (No motion is necessary to leave it alone, so a motion to leave it alone, or to do nothing in some other way, would be out of order.) The motion to change it is then open for discussion, amendment, postponement, referral to a committee, etc.--and probably, at some point, a vote.

That's the normal order: Motion, then debate, then vote.

Since nothing was adopted this time, you can bring it up again at the very next meeting.

[hmtcastle]

The proper way to cause discussion of the dress code is to make a motion to change it.

Such as to raccoon caps and jackets with epaulets.

Though changing attire seems a subject better suited to NAPA, not the NAP.

[Tim Wynn]

Though changing attire seems a subject better suited to NAPA, not the NAP.

Clever.