[ga-rules] Definition of Motions & Procedures

[Joanna Lane <jo-uk@rcn.com>]

Harald,
Something I lifted from the Presbyterian Church General Assembly that might
be a good starting point:-

DEFINITION OF A MOTION:
The General Assembly uses voting as an aid to determine consensus. Before it
can vote, however, an issue must be advanced (put) and debated. The method
by which an idea or proposal is put for consideration is called a motion.

A motion may come from a committee or from a member who has been recognized
by the Chair. When recognized, the member says, "Chair, I move that
_______________________. This becomes the main motion. But, before a motion
can be considered by the Assembly, it must have a second.

A motion from a committee is assumed to have a second. Once seconded, the
motion is put before the Assembly for debate and a vote. The maker of a
motion is generally granted the first and last opportunity to speak to it.

DEFINITION OF AN AMENDMENT

During the debate on a main motion, a member may propose an amendment. An
amendment may change the wording of a main motion, but may not annul its
essential point. 

Once made, a motion to amend must be seconded. If seconded, it will be
debated, and at the conclusion of debate a vote will be taken as to whether
or not to amend the main motion. If the amendment is defeated, the main
motion becomes the business before the Assembly; if the amendment is voted,
the amended motion becomes the main motion.

Vote on Amendment:

If "no" =  main motion is before the assembly

If "yes" = amended motion becomes main motion; main motion is before the
assembly.


DEFINITION OF A SUBSTITUTE MOTION

A motion to substitute is like a motion to amend; however, an entirely new
text is offered in place of the main motion. After a second, the body will
debate the substitute motion, and then vote whether the substitute shall
replace the main motion.

If it is defeated, the main motion again becomes the business before the
Assembly; if it is voted, the substitute motion becomes the main motion.

Vote on Substitute Motion:

If "no" = main motion is business before the assembly.

If "yes" = substitute becomes the main motion; main motion is business
before the assembly.


DEFINITION OF PREVIOUS QUESTION:
When a member, who has been properly recognized by the Chair, moves The
Previous Question, it has the effect of bringing the Assembly to an
immediate vote. 

*    

All debate stops; 

*    

The Assembly votes on whether or not to proceed to a vote on the main
motion; 

*    
If the Previous Question is supported by 2/3 of the members of the Assembly,
the main motion is immediately voted upon;

*    

If it fails to receive 2/3 support, the Assembly returns to debating the
main motion. 


DEFINITION OF POINT OF ORDER

When a member thinks that the rules of the assembly are being violated, s/he
can make a Point of Order (or "raise a question of order"), calling upon the
Moderators for a ruling and an enforcement of the regular rules. Points of
Order are normally forwarded offlist to ga-abuse@dnso.org.


PROCEDURES - (BASED ON UN MODEL)

FIRST SESSION

SESSION OBJECTIVES: To exchange general views regarding the substantive
issues to be addressed on the topic and to begin to highlight the areas of
convergence and divergence within the group.

BEST PRACTICES* (not a rule - note 1): Informal setting. Each member will be
limited to no more than 5 posts to ensure maximum participation from all
members of the General Assembly. Duration: decided by the Organizing
Committee. 

SCOPE OF THE DISCUSSION: The purpose of this session is to provide an
opportunity for members of the negotiating bloc to express and exchange
general opinions on the topic and to begin to highlight the areas of
convergence and divergence within the group. This preparatory work will
greatly expedite the work of the negotiating bloc's next session, which will
be to prepare formal bloc positions on the Chairıs draft negotiating text.

The second session will consist of another negotiating bloc focused
specifically on the draft negotiating text.

SECOND SESSION - The Process of decision making

OBJECTIVES: To highlight concerns, problems and possible proposals related
to the topic; to review the Chairıs draft negotiating text and decide on the
general and specific amendments that the group wishes to make to the Chairsı
text.

BEST PRACTICES (not rules): This activity will retain the same configuration
and modalities as the first one, described above.

SCOPE OF DISCUSSION: Time should be devoted to the review of the Chairsı
draft text. The group will proceed paragraph by paragraph and identify: (1)
the issues that are problematic to the group as a whole; (2) the perceived
gaps in the text; (3) and the possible amendments that will be tabled.

At the end of the sessions, members will be asked to provide the Chair with
their formal written amendments. These written amendments will then be
incorporated into a revised version of the Chairsı text.

___________________________________________________________

Regards,
Joanna


 


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