[ga-rules] Re: Definition of Motions & Procedures

[Harald Tveit Alvestrand <harald@alvestrand.no>]

--On tirsdag, juni 26, 2001 12:48:09 -0400 Joanna Lane <jo-uk@rcn.com> 
wrote:

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

this has a lot in common with the "Roberts Rules of Order" that were an
active topic of discussion about a year ago on the GA list.

I will make the same comment I made then: That these rules were made for a
situation in which all the participants were physically present in the same 
room, and where taking a vote on a motion was a 5-minute matter, 
essentially free.
Only one topic could be discussed at a time, because there was only one 
room in which to speak. Indeed, only one member could speak at a time.
Misbehaving members could be physically removed from the room (yes, there 
are rules in Roberts for that), and the meeting would end after a "motion 
to adjourn".

In the case of an electronic debate, we have a different set of parameters:

- The committee is "always in session" (until the ML is closed)
- Participants are spread out over the whole Earth
- Having multiple conversations is completely possible (at least if your 
mailer does threading)
- A reasonable e-mail based vote cannot be done in less than 24 hours 
(allowing for earth rotation), and often a week is more appropriate

Especially the last point makes the voting on amendments a quite expensive 
proposition.
(The pure workload cost of balloting is also an issue - especially if it 
has to be fitted within a fixed secretariat budget. It is not ignorable.)

The "rule of chair", where the chair is charged with finding an appropriate 
text to vote on, is certainly a possibility - but that is what we have, and 
are trying to get away from, I think.

Some specific notes below.


>
> 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.

Note that this assumes a deterministic speaking order. Not enforceable in 
email.

>
> 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.

Note that two persons can force a vote here.
This is a basis for a filibuster attack, as well as expensive.

> 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.

Note that this requires 2 rounds of voting in the straightforward case.
Also, it allows a reverwse filibuster tactic - move to go to an immediate
vote when this will clearly not succeed, throwing the debate into disarray.
>
>
> 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)

I like the concept of a "two phase" model - the difference between the two 
phases in the email context would be that in the first phase, there is a 
topic and no proposal; in the second phase, there is a proposed text.

One could imagine having multiple overlapping discussions where each 
discussion would pass through the two phases - this may be too confusing. 
Or maybe not.

>
> 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.

The concept of "bloc" occurs here for the first time. What does it mean?

>
> 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.
'

Who decides what amendments to incorporate?
the Chair, the OrgComm or the vote of the assembly?
see "cost of votes" above....

>
> ___________________________________________________________
>
> Regards,
> Joanna
>
>
>  
>
>
>


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