agenda

[mrttownsend]

The agenda at our American Legion Post has "Old Business" and then "New Business" for making motions. They are followed by "Good of the Legion" for notices, remarks, etc. where motions are not allowed. If it is determined at this point that a motion is needed, is it possible to re-open "New Business" for the purpose of making a motion?

[Rob Elsman]

The agenda at our American Legion Post has "Old Business" and then "New Business" for making motions. They are followed by "Good of the Legion" for notices, remarks, etc. where motions are not allowed. If it is determined at this point that a motion is needed, is it possible to re-open "New Business" for the purpose of making a motion?

The special rule, "...where motions are not allowed", can be suspended by a two-thirds vote to admit an original main motion during the "Good of the Legion". See RONR (10th ed.), §25, pp. 252ff.

By the way, the heading, "Old Business", in the order of business should not be used. See RONR (10th ed.), p. 346, footnote.

[Kim Goldsworthy]

The agenda at our American Legion Post has "Old Business" and then "New Business" for making motions.

They are followed by "Good of the Legion" for notices, remarks, etc. where motions are not allowed.

If it is determined at this point that a motion is needed, is it possible to re-open "New Business" for the purpose of making a motion?

First, let's cover what The Book says.

"No, not directly" -- it isn't necessary for such a motion, "to re-open 'new business'".

Why not?

Because you cannot re-open a CLASS OF BUSINESS.

"New Business" and "Unfinished Business and General Order" are CLASSES of business.

They are not to be opened or closed.

They are closer to being a calendar, or an egg timer or an hourglass.

If the passing of a CLASS of motions has come and gone, then, to make a motion appropriate to that class (as your organization must, since it has a customized rule), you would have to suspend the rules, first.

But, "Catch-22", your rule says that no motions are allowed, which suggests that not even a suspension of the rules can be moved.

If that rule is taken to mean 100% of any motions, then that is that.

If that rule is taken to mean, "No new business and no re-addressing previously-handled business", then that interpretation would allow you make a motion "To suspend the rules for the purpose of _______ (insert your hot issue here)."

So, you (collecively) will have to determine the intend and application of your "no motions" rule.

Does it indeed prohibit the motion "Suspend the Rules"?