Report of the Committee to Develop a Guide to Parliamentary Procedure
Committee Appointment: [1991 Year Book, Page 36]
RESOLVED, that a Committee be appointed by the Chairman to develop and distribute a guide on parliamentary procedure for use at Annual Conference.
The Chairman appointed the following Committee to develop a guide to parliamentary procedure: Calvin T. Reed, Carl J. Fischer, Jr., Jansen E. Hartman.
1. Intent of the Following Material: The Annual Conference, its boards, its committees, and its local congregations employ parliamentary law which is an accepted system of rules for conducting business in deliberative and legislative bodies.
The Annual Conference acknowledges the authority of Jesus Christ as the Head of the church. Parliamentary law is employed as a means of determining the mind and will of the Lord through the deliberations of qualified members. Parliamentary law seeks to insure the rule of the majority while providing opportunity for the minority to express itself and try to influence the thinking and action of the Assembly. In all things the will of the Lord is sought.
Parliamentary procedures are designed for the orderly and expeditious transaction of business with fairness, justice and courtesy.
The Committee wants to acknowledge its dependency on the work A Primer of Parliamentary Procedure for Use in Simply Organized Groups published by the Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. Further, it should be understood that the bulk of the committee’s paper is at times an adaptation and often is a direct quote of the aforementioned primer. This disclaimer is in lieu of multitudinous quotation marks. Permission has been sought and granted for this use.
2. The Organization
a. The Chairman The chairman, as the title indicates, presides at business sessions. It is his responsibility to be impartial and neutral regarding matters before the body. Therefore, as a rule, he is not to express his opinion on any subject being discussed. To emphasize the fact that he is acting impersonally and impartially, he does not refer to himself as “I,” but as “your chairman,” or “the chair.” He listens to the voice of the minority as well as of the majority, but obeys the voice of the majority.
Should the chairman feel it wise at any time to express his opinion during a discussion, he should ask another member — usually the vice chairman or a former chairman — to take the chair while he speaks, and he should not return to it until a vote has been taken on the matter under consideration and the result has been announced.
A chairman should be the soul of tact, but at the same time should be firm in his decisions. He should know the bylaws of the organization and parliamentary law so that he can preside with assurance.
The chairman stands when calling a meeting to order, when stating motions and putting them to vote, and when making announcements. When in the course of a discussion someone holds the floor more than ten minutes, he should be seated.
He appoints committees only when authorized by vote of the organization to do so, or when he is given authority by the bylaws. Bylaws of many organizations indicate that the chairman shall be an ex officio member of all standing committees except the nominating committee. In the role of an ex officio member he may attend meetings, participate in discussion, and vote, but he is not counted in determining a quorum. He should take care not to pre-empt the chairman’s place.
A chairman may vote by secret ballot (as in an election), when a roll call vote is taken, or when there is a tie. However, he does not have to vote to break a tie, but may elect to declare the motion lost.
Should there be a motion concerning himself before the house, he will leave the chair until disposition has been made of it. However, if a motion concerns him and others as well, he does not leave the chair.
A chairman states each motion at least three times, so there can be no confusion in the minds of the members as to what the question before them is or what disposition is made of it.
First, after the motion is made and seconded, he states it and asks for discussion. Then, after the discussion has been completed, he restates it when calling for the vote. And lastly, in announcing the result of the vote, he states it the third time. If the motion is long, or involved, he may ask the secretary to read it. Also he may ask the maker to put it in writing and submit it to the secretary.
For example, after a motion has been made and seconded, the chairman may say: “It has been moved and seconded that our body invite William H. Brown to speak to us about the work of our missionaries in Africa at our meeting on Wednesday evening, July 6. Is there any discussion?” After the discussion is concluded, he puts the vote thus: “All in favor of inviting William H. Brown to speak at our meeting on Wednesday, July 6, about the work of our missionaries in Africa, say ‘aye’.” Then, after the affirmative votes have been counted, “All opposed, say ‘no’.” And finally, “The motion is carried (or lost) and we shall (or shall not) invite Mr. Brown to speak on the work of our missionaries in Africa at our July 6 meeting.”
Note that in calling for the negative vote the chairman used the word “opposed” and does not use the word “contrary.”
In the well-conducted business session one does not hear such expressions as “You have heard the motion. All in favor…” and “The motion is carried and it is so ordered.”
The alert chairman sometimes may expedite business by suggesting ways of disposing of matters before the house. For instance, in the case of a routine matter, instead of calling for a motion, he may say, “If there is no objection” the matter will be disposed of in a certain way. Of course, if even one voice is raised in objection, a vote must be taken. Or sometimes the chairman may ask whether the members would like to have a committee chosen to study a matter, or would like to follow some other course.
When the chairman wants the group to take action, he asks, “What is your pleasure?”
Always, he can keep the discussion from going far afield by calling attention to the pending question.
b. The Vice Chairman The vice chairman assumes the duties of the chairman in his absence. The vice chairman is to succeed to the office of chairman in case that office becomes vacant.
c. The Recording Secretary The recording secretary’s duties include recording minutes of meetings and keeping a permanent file of all records of the organization, including copies of reports of officers and committees. If the organization has no corresponding secretary, he has the task of carrying on correspondence unless some other provision is made for attending to that responsibility.
The secretary of an organization may make and second motions and take part in discussions with the same freedom allowed any other member.
As a matter of courtesy, the secretary should send an appropriate letter to all persons or parties who are thanked or honored by a resolution of Annual Conference.
d. Agendas
i. For Annual Conference The agenda for Annual Conference is to be prepared by committee, ratified by the entire body at the opening session and adopted as the order of the day.
ii. For Congregational Meetings The chairman is responsible for providing a written agenda that is in keeping with the material that is found on pages 88-91 of the FAITH & ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church and shall see that it is circulated prior to the congregational meeting.
iii. For Boards and Committees The chairmen of boards, committees and other organizations shall prepare a written agenda of which the following may serve as an example.
(a) Call to order
(b) Minutes
(c) Treasurer’s report
(d) Reports of standing committees
(e) Reports of special committees
(f) Unfinished business
(g) Other business
Under each of these heads the chairman, after consulting the minutes of former meetings for guidance, will indicate exactly what business is to be taken up. If there are details that he thinks might be helpful to the entire body as the meeting proceeds, he may include them. In short, he does his best to put before the body all of the data that it will need in making informed and prayerful decisions.
e. Minutes Following a meeting, the secretary should write the minutes promptly and should submit a copy to the chairman so that he may refer to it as he prepares for the next meeting. A generous margin on the left of each page provides space for possible corrections. Since the minutes are of the greatest importance, they should be kept in a substantially bound book.
The minutes of the meeting should include facts as to
(a) kind of meeting – regular or special,
(b) time and place held,
(c) record of every motion made, whether carried or lost.
They should be followed by the name and office (secretary or acting secretary) of the one who prepared them.
Minutes should not include reports of discussions or views of the secretary. It is not within the province of a secretary to say that any feature of a meeting is good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant. He is not to include within the minutes compliments or adverse criticism.
Minutes are not concluded with the words, “Respectfully submitted,” as are reports.
Minutes of a board meeting usually include a list of names of those present, or a statement that “all members were present except Mr. Jones, Mr. Smith, and Miss Davis.”
f. The Corresponding Secretary The corresponding secretary attends to all correspondence of the organization and of the board of directors, unless other provision is made in the bylaws. He reads the correspondence at meetings of the group, or, in the case of long letters, presents digests. Before reading a letter, he gives the name of the writer.
g. The Treasurer The treasurer receives the monies of the organization and makes disbursements as instructed. He keeps detailed records and makes regular reports of amounts on hand and of disbursements.
h. The Auditor The auditor has the duty of examining the treasurer’s records to see that account has been given of all money received and disbursed. This is a protection for the treasurer and other officers as well as for the organization. At least annually, every group that handles more than a minimum amount of money should have its financial accounts audited. This is not a reflection on the honesty of anyone, but is a safeguard against error and a proper recognition of accountability before God.
3. In Business Sessions: Motions
a. Main Motions Business is brought before an organization by means of main motions. The procedure is for a member having a matter to present for action to rise, address the chair, and, upon receiving recognition, offer a motion. Sometimes he may preface his motion by a brief statement of the facts behind it. The established form for motions is, “I move that …” The form sometimes heard, “I make a motion that …” is not considered good. Also, to avoid confusion, a motion should be stated positively, not negatively– “I move that we” do such and so, not “I move that we not do” such and so.
Should a member, after taking the floor, begin discussing something at length without making a motion, the chairman may say, “Will you please present the matter in the form of a motion?”
No one in a meeting speaks at any time without having received the recognition of the chairman. The chairman may wish to maintain decorum by asking, “Will the one who seconded the motion please rise and repeat his second, so all those in the assembly may know who is taking that step?”
When several people wish to speak at the same time, the chairman takes care to recognize them in the order in which they have risen to their feet. They address all of their remarks to him, never to the group as a whole or to any member except the chairman.
b. More About Motions It is important to be familiar with all kinds of motions and the ways that they are used in order that confusion may be avoided and the desired results accomplished.
In addition to main motions, there are subsidiary motions, privileged motions, incidental motions, and other unclassified motions.
i. Privileged Motions Sometimes, while a question is pending, it is important to interrupt proceedings to attend to some other matter. In such case, what is called a privileged motion is made. Privileged motions are those to (1) fix the time and place of adjournment, (2) to adjourn, (3) to take a recess, (4) to raise a question of privilege, and (5) to call for the orders of the day. These motions may be made at any time except when someone has the floor or when a vote is being taken. The business they interrupt is resumed after the privileged motions have been disposed of.
(1) Fix the Time and Place of Adjournment A motion to fix the time and place of adjournment is made when someone is of the opinion that even though the meeting must be closed temporarily, there is business that should be taken up before the next scheduled meeting. That motion is debatable and amendable if there is no other business pending. It may be made even after a motion to adjourn has been made and seconded, but before the vote has been taken.
(2) To Adjourn No other motion except the one discussed immediately above, ranks higher than an unqualified motion to adjourn. It is not debatable or amendable, and requires a majority vote. However, if there is important business that should be taken up in the meeting, the chairman, after a motion to adjourn has been made and seconded, may warn the group of the consequences of immediate adjournment.
Also, when all business has been transacted, if no one immediately moves to adjourn, the chairman may say, “If there is no objection, this meeting is adjourned.” Unless immediate objection is raised, the meeting is considered adjourned.
(3) Take a Recess At any time except when a motion to adjourn is before the house someone may move to take a recess, stating its length. It is not debatable, and may be amended only in regard to the length of the recess. It requires a majority vote.
(4) Questions of Privilege There are two kinds of questions of privileges. One is general, the other, personal, and the former outranks the latter. Questions of general privilege relate to more than one person, while those of personal privilege relate only to one, usually the maker. When someone rises, addresses the chair, and says, “I rise to a question of general (or personal) privilege,” the chairman may say, “State your question.” After the statement has been made the chairman may ask whether the group gives general consent for granting the privilege. If no one objects, the privilege is granted. A formal motion that a privilege be granted is not debatable or amendable. It requires majority vote.
Questions of privilege may relate to an endless variety of things, such as a desire to hear certain statements repeated or to ask about the status of certain motions, or to ask that certain regulations be disregarded for the moment to suit the convenience of the speaker or of him and others.
(5) The Order of the Day When the order in which the business of an organization usually is taken up is not being followed, a member may call for “the order of the day.” The chairman may return at once to the usual order without a motion having been made, or a motion may be made. Such a motion does not require a second, and is not debatable or amendable. It requires a two-thirds vote.
ii. Incidental motions Incidental motions relate only incidentally to the question pending before a body.
(1) Point of Order When someone feels that something not in harmony with the rules is being done, he may rise, address the chair, and say, “I rise to a point of order.” The chair asks him to state his point, and then says, “Your point of order is well taken,” or “Your point of order is not well taken,” and then proceeds in harmony with his own decision unless there is disagreement with it.
(2) Appeal When someone disagrees with a decision that has been made by the chairman, he may rise and say, “I appeal from the decision of the chair.” A second is required. The motion is not amendable. It is debatable unless the decision appealed has been made while an undebatable motion is before the house. The chair may participate in discussion without leaving the chair. (However, this is the only circumstance under which he may do this.) A majority vote is required. A tie vote sustains the chair.
(3) Objection to Consideration of the Question When someone is opposed to having a matter brought by a motion to the assembly, he may rise, immediately after the motion has been seconded, and say that he objects to consideration of the question. This motion is not debatable or amendable, but requires a two-thirds vote. The chair puts the question at once. If it is carried, the chair closes the matter by saying, “Objection is sustained, and the question no longer is before the house.” If it is lost, the chair says, “The objection is not sustained. We shall continue our consideration of the question before the house.”
(4) Motion Withdrawal Any member of an organization may ask to have a motion that has been made, seconded, and stated by the chair withdrawn unless a vote upon it has been taken. If his request has not been made in the form of a motion, the withdrawal may be by general consent. If it is in the form of a motion, that motion is not debatable or amendable, and requires a majority vote.
It is not necessary for one to get the consent of the maker of a motion before asking that it be withdrawn. The maker himself may ask that his motion be withdrawn without asking consent of the seconder.
c. Debate and Discussion All main motions and a number of others are debatable. That is, after they have been seconded, they may be debated or discussed by members of the group. Unless the bylaws of an organization include rules regarding debate, the maker of a motion, after it has been seconded, speaks briefly in its behalf. Then others may speak as they may wish, though no one may talk for more than ten minutes without special consent of the group; no one, having spoken to a motion once, may do so again until after all others who wish to be heard have had opportunity.
When one rises to speak regarding a motion, he should begin by saying, “I wish to speak in favor of the motion” or “I wish to speak against the motion.”
d. Votes Required Most motions are carried when a majority (at least one more than half) of those voting upon it vote in favor. However, some motions are carried only when two-thirds or more of those voting upon them vote in favor. Those are motions to revise or amend the bylaws of the organization or rules that have been adopted, to rescind action already taken, to suspend the rules, to object to consideration of any question, to limit debate or extend it beyond the limits previously agreed upon, to close nominations in an election. The fairness of requiring a large majority to carry motions calling for such drastic action is readily seen.
In determining what is a majority or two-thirds vote, only votes cast are counted, regardless of how many members are present.
e. Subsidiary Motions: The Why’s and How’s Subsidiary motions are for the purpose of disposing of main motions by taking them as they stand or modifying them. Such motions in order of their rank are:
1. Laying a Motion on the Table
2. Moving the Previous Question
3. Limiting or Extending Debate
4. Postponing Action to a Definite Time
5. Referring a Motion to a Committee
6. Amending a Motion
7. Postponing Action Indefinitely
8. Giving the Group Another Chance
i. Laying a Motion on the Table To lay a motion under discussion (a pending question) on the table (or table it) is to put it aside for the time being. The form used in making a motion to table is: “I move that the motion before the house be tabled.” That motion is not debatable or amendable, it cannot be reconsidered or postponed, and it requires only a majority vote.
A motion that has been tabled may be brought back to the assembly at any time after some other business has been transacted. If the motion tabled is not brought back before the adjournment of Annual Conference or before the adjournment of a Congregational Meeting, it is dead. The form of a motion to bring it back is this: “I move that we take from the table the motion that…”
Obviously, after a motion has been tabled, none of the other subsidiary motions can be applied to it, until and unless it is taken from the table. This statement indicates what is meant by its ranking first among such motions. A study of those that rank below it will show why they hold the positions they do hold in that list.
ii. Moving the Previous Question To move the previous question is to ask that debate on a pending question be halted and a vote taken on it immediately. That motion is not debatable or amendable, and it does require a two-thirds vote. Therefore, as soon as the motion is made, the chair will put it to vote. So that there may be no misunderstanding he may say, “You have heard the motion for the previous question. Shall we cut off discussion?” He then asks for a show of hands or a rising vote, and a count is made.
iii. Limiting or Extending Debate Motions to limit or extend debate are not debatable and require a two-thirds vote. They are amendable in respect to time only. Forms used for such motions may be these: “I move that debate upon this question be closed at nine o’clock,” or “after fifteen minutes,” “and that a vote upon it then be taken.” Or, “I move that Mr. Smith be permitted to continue speaking for fifteen minutes.”
iv. Postponing Action to a Definite Time Within limitations motions to postpone to a definite time are debatable and amendable. They are debatable as to the desirability of the postponement, and they are amendable in regard to the time to which the postponement is made. A majority vote is required. The form of the motion: “I move that we postpone action on this motion until” certain things have been accomplished.
The following paragraphs are from The Motion To Postpone The Main Motion To A Certain Time (Baird pp. 59-61)
This motion postpones action on the matter. It always specifies the time limit of the postponement. Ordinarily, when that time limit has expired, the original matter will again come before the group. Thus the member says,
“I move that we postpone consideration of this matter until our next meeting,” or “I move that we postpone consideration of this matter for ten minutes.”
This motion requires a second and is open for discussion of the merits of the postponement and the time limit set. Amendments in regard to the time are acceptable. A majority vote passes the motion. The member may not postpone a motion beyond the next meeting, since this would deprive those present at the next meeting of the right to consider the matter. That is, if a motion were postponed from meeting one to meeting three, the members in meeting two would have to override what was done in order to take up that matter early, in meeting two instead of meeting three. Such action would infringe on the rights of absentees, who would be assuming that the item would not be discussed until meeting three. To avoid such difficulties, motions cannot be postponed beyond the next meeting. Items postponed until the next meeting would come up under “unfinished business” in that meeting. At that point, a given motion could be postponed again, if the members are not yet ready to act.
Some parliamentary authorities would permit a motion to postpone the main question with no time limit specified. We see nothing wrong with the assembly adopting such a postponement, provided that the members are aware of the mechanism needed to bring the main question once again to the floor. The motion to take a matter from the table would be used for this purpose, using the form, “I move that we resume consideration of the motion to…”
v. Referring a Motion to a Committee Motions to refer to a committee usually are made when it is evident that the question under consideration can be handled better by a small group — probably of those well informed on the matter — than by the entire body. Often such motions run somewhat like this: “I move that we refer the pending question to a committee of three to be appointed by the chairman and to report at our next meeting.” That motion is debatable, and it may be amended in regard to the number of those who serve on the committee, but not otherwise. A majority vote is necessary. When such a motion has been carried, the chairman may name the committee immediately or state that he will name it shortly and that those appointed will be notified by a declaration of the chairman and a written confirmation by the secretary.
The following paragraphs are from THE MOTION TO REFER THE MAIN MOTION TO A COMMITTEE (Baird, pp. 58-59)
When the group as a whole does not have the time or the information to decide on the matter, it may wish to allow some existing or “standing” committee to handle it or to create a new special committee to handle it for them. To be complete, the motion that sends the matter to committee should include the following information: To what committee? How many members? How appointed? What instructions or power will the committee have? When should the committee report on the matter? If the motion to refer to committee lacks some of this information, the Chair should have the member add it to his motion before it is stated for the assembly.
If the motion is passed without some of this essential information, the Chair should ask the assembly to decide these questions before going on to other matters. The Chair does not have the power arbitrarily to fill in these details himself. He asks for suggestions from the group and then takes a vote on each suggestion until one receives a majority vote. A complete form of this motion might be as follows: The member gains the floor and says,
“I move that we refer this matter to our finance committee to investigate the effects of the proposed expenditure on our budget and report to us at our next meeting.”
This motion would require a second. Discussion is permitted, but the discussion would be limited to various issues in connection with the committee action. Should we let the committee handle it? Is the finance committee the proper group? Does a report to our next meeting give the committee adequate time? The discussion should not go into the merits of the main question at this point.
Amendments to the motion to refer to committee are also possible. One might move to strike “finance committee” and insert “a special task force of three to be appointed by the Chair,” for example. A majority vote passes the motion, and the main motion is referred to the specified committee. This committee then has control over the main motion until it gives its report or until the assembly takes further action to remove the matter from its control.
vi. Amending a Motion To amend a motion is to alter it by (1) inserting or adding words, phrases or sentence, (2) striking out parts, or striking out parts and then adding others, or (3) substituting an entirely new motion. In parliamentary language it is not correct to speak of “substituting” one word or part of a paragraph for another, as the term is applied to nothing less than a paragraph. Therefore one would say, “I wish to amend…” The motion to amend a main motion is debatable and amendable, and requires a majority vote.
The following paragraphs that finish section 7, subsection a-e have been adapted into outline format from The Motion to Amend the Main Motion (Baird, pp. 54-58)
When the group does not like the wording of the main motion, it may change that wording to suit the members by amending it. They may add words, remove words, or substitute one thing for another. (They may not accomplish two of these aims in the same amendment, however.) The mover of the main motion does not necessarily need to approve the amendment. When the vote is taken on the amendment and it passes, the motion itself is still not passed. The amendment only changes the wording of the main motion, and the vote on the main motion must still take place.
(1) The Wording Amendments may be stated in many ways. One would be for the member to rise, address the Chair, and say,
“I move that we amend the motion by adding (striking, substituting) the words…after the words…, so that the motion will read..”
The wording of the amendment itself may not be desired by the group, so that a second amendment might be offered to change the wording of the first amendment. The amendment to the main motion may then be called a “primary” amendment and the amendment to the amendment a “secondary” amendment. The process may not be carried any further than that, however; “tertiary” amendments are not permitted, since they would make the whole procedure too complex and confusing. Instead of making it, a member may say, “If the amendment of the amendment is voted down, I will offer such and such an amendment of the amendment.”
(2) The Second Amendments must be seconded. They may be discussed, but the discussion is limited to the amendment itself and may not go into other aspects of the main motion until the amendment is decided. Amendments are handled one at a time. An amendment to change another portion of the main motion is not permitted until the amendment before the group is decided, one way or the other.
(3) The Vote A majority vote is adequate to pass the amendment and make the desired change in the wording of the main motion.
(4) Relevance The amendment must be germane to the main motion; that is, it must deal with the same subject matter as the main motion. A “rider” in the congressional sense, an amendment that introduces a new subject, is not permitted in an ordinary business meeting.
However, the amendment need not be in harmony with the original motion. In fact, it may make changes in wording so radical that the intent of the original motion is completely frustrated. The only limits are that the amendment must not simply reverse the vote on the original motion. That is, if the original motion calls for the expenditure of a sum of money, an amendment would be out of order which simply introduces the word “not” — that we not expend that sum of money. This objective could be gained by simply voting “no” on the original motion.
One sometimes hears the expression “friendly amendment.” It simply means an amendment that the author feels will be accepted by the mover of the original main motion. Upon hearing such an amendment, the Chair may save time by calling for approval by general consent. If anyone objects, however, the standard procedure must be followed, with discussion and a vote.
Remember that the original main motion has been stated by the Chair and belongs to the group as a whole. No single individual, not even the one who offered the motion in the first place, may change its wording without the consent of the group as a whole, given by means of a vote of some sort, often by general consent.
(5) Substitute Motion In some cases a member may offer a substitute motion as an amendment. This simply means that the member wishes to replace the entire main motion with another one of different wording. Naturally, the proposed substitute must be germane to the original motion. When a substitute is offered, the Chair uses the following procedure:
(i) The original main motion is open for discussion and secondary amendment.
(ii) The proposed substitute is open for discussion (which may also involve the merits of the original wording) and secondary amendments.
(iii) The question of the substitution is put to a vote: “All those in favor of substituting motion B for motion A indicate by saying ‘aye.'”
At this point the group actually has two motions before it. One is the original main motion (motion A), which has been discussed and which may have been reworded by the amendment process. The second is the “substitute” motion (motion B), which may also have been discussed and may have been amended. Technically, motion B is itself a primary amendment, proposed as a substitute for motion A. Now the group must decide which of these two motions is to remain before it. Shall motion B replace motion A on the floor for group consideration? Notice once again that we are dealing with the wording of motions — shall motion A be reworded so that it becomes motion B? The vote here does not adopt either motion.
(iv) The remaining motion, either A or B, is then open for further discussion and amendment.
(v) This remaining motion is then put to a vote and adopted or rejected.
The amendment process is extremely important for church groups that value consensus. Sometimes a slight change in a word or a phrase may transform a highly controversial motion into one that receives unanimous support.
vii. Postponing Action Indefinitely To postpone indefinitely is to reject a matter for the duration of that particular administration. A motion to do this is debatable but not amendable, and requires a majority vote and may not be reconsidered.
viii. Giving the Group Another Chance When someone feels that an action taken by the organization has been a mistake, he may move to reconsider it, rescind it, or take the motion from the table.
(1) Reconsidering a Motion A motion to reconsider a matter must be made by one who voted with the prevailing side and must be made on the same day on which the decision being questioned was made, on the next business day, or at the next meeting, providing no action has been taken as a result of the motion’s having been carried. It may be made immediately after the decision has been announced. The person making the motion will state that he voted on the prevailing side. (That means he voted in favor of the motion, if the motion was carried; or he voted against it, if the motion was lost.) However, any one, no matter on which side he voted, may second the motion, which is debatable and requires a majority vote.
If the motion to reconsider is carried, the chair then announces, “The motion to … is again before the house. Discussion is now in order.”
An amendment to a motion that has carried may not be reconsidered without the consideration of the main motion also.
(2) Rescinding a Motion To rescind is to annul action, and a motion to rescind can be made at any time provided no action has been taken as a result of the main motion having been carried that would make the motion to rescind it out of order.
If previous notice is given that the matter of rescinding will be considered at a certain meeting, then a majority vote is sufficient to carry such a motion. Otherwise, a two-thirds vote is necessary. The motion to rescind is amendable and debatable.
4. Conclusion The preceding material should not be understood as an exhaustive study of parliamentary procedure. It is intended to provide a quick reference for guidelines in situations that have previously stalled the deliberations of Annual Conference, its boards, its committees, and its local congregations. In addition to the material found in this paper, a “Parliamentary Law” reference slide rule is available for purchase and is also to be considered as part of this report. The statement in the FAITH & ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church concerning Robert’s Rules of Order on page 130, “The parliamentary procedure shall follow Robert’s Rules of Order except when superseded by the by-laws for Annual Conference,” is still valid.
We urge pastors and delegates to Annual Conference, and elders and members of local churches to become familiar with parliamentary procedure as outlined above so that important matters may be “done decently and in order.”
5. Resolution
RESOLVED; that the paper entitled “A Concise Guide to Parliamentary Procedure” (For Annual Conference and Particular Churches and the slide rule which is offered be considered the fulfillment of the directives of the 108th Annual Conference for a committee “to develop and distribute a guide on parliamentary procedure for use at Annual Conference.”
6. Bibliography
a. Baird, John E. Conducting Church Meetings. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1991.
b. Cann, M. M. Robert’s Rules of Order-Simplified. New York, NY: Perigee Books, Putnam Publishing Group, 1991.
c. Kerfoot, H.F. Parliamentary Law. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1899.
d. McCarty, Barry C. A Parliamentary Guide for Church Leaders. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1987.
e. Patnode, Darwin. Robert’s Rules of Order, Modern Edition. Nashville, TN: 1989.
f. Robert, Henry M. Parliamentary Practice. NY: Century Company, 1921.
g. Robert, Henry M. Robert’s Rules of Order. Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company.
h. Robert, Henry M. Robert’s Rules of Order Revised. NY: William Morrow & Company, 1971.
i. Covington, M. A Primer of Parliamentary Procedure for Use in Simply Organized Groups. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing Company, 1956.
j. Jones, O. Garfield Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance. NY: Penguin Books, 1971.
Committee to Develop a Guide to Parliamentary Procedure: Calvin T. Reed, Carl J. Fischer, Jr., Jansen E. Hartman.