Amendments are of two degrees---primary and secondary---primary amendment applies to the main motion--- secondary amendment applies to the primary amendment. Only two amendments can be pending at one time. All amendments must be germane or relate to the subject to be amended. Voting is in reverse order.
Withdraw a Motion
Any time before voting on the question has commenced, a motion may be withdrawn. When the mover of a motion asks to withdraw a motion, the Chair asks if there is any objection, and if there is none, she announces that the motion is withdrawn or modified as was requested. The mover of a motion may withdraw or modify her own motion without asking consent BEFORE it is stated by the Chair, and afterwards, if no one objects. When a motion is withdrawn, the effect is the same as if it had never been made and the Secretary does not even record it.
Qualifications for a Good Presiding Officer
1. Ability to preside with dignity and poise, refraining from expressing opinions while in the chair. 2. Executive ability and willpower to enforce with zeal the execution of the laws of the organization. 3. Parliamentary knowledge and power to enforce the use and practice of the same. 4. Courteous bearing; remember that in order to control others, first control self. 5. Absolute impartiality; for if the chair has even the appearance of being partisan, she is apt to lose control of members of opposite views. 6 Good voice.
The president of an organization should have general supervision over all plans for extending, unifying, and rendering efficient the work of the society, and a part of her duties are as follows:
• Open the sessions at the appointed time, with one tap of the gavel
• Announce the business in order
• Assign the floor to members who are entitled to it
• State, and put to vote all motions regularly made, and announce the vote and the result of the vote
• Refuse to entertain frivolous or dilatory motions
• Assist in expediting business
• Enforce order
• Decide questions of order, unless she prefers to submit them to the assembly for decision
• Sign all acts, orders, etc., necessary to carry out the will of the society
• Declare the local organization adjourned to some other time and place in case of fire, or serious disturbance, when delay for a vote may be dangerous
• Rise, when putting a question to vote, and while announcing the result. She may remain seated while stating the question, but it is BEST to rise. Rise, when giving reasons for her decision upon a Point of Order, or when speaking to an Appeal, with calling anyone to the Chair.
• Remain seated and listen during debate, as the speaker must address remarks to the Chair
• Protect a speaker in her right to the floor. She must not take and announce a vote, while a member is rising to address the Chair, for in so doing the vote is“ null and void,” and the member who had risen to speak at the time the vote was taken must be recognized. She must not interrupt members while speaking, unless some rule or order or procedure is being violated.
• She may vote, when voting is by ballot or by roll call, and may vote in all other cases where the vote would change the result.
• Permit the vice president to put a question to vote which refers to the president alone.
• If the President wishes to vacate the Chair for any purpose, she may call the Vice-President to take the Chair— and if she engages in debate upon a question, she does not resume the Chair until that particular question is disposed of.
• The presiding officer never uses the personal pronoun“ I” but is referred to as the“ Chair.”
• The president should know thoroughly the bylaws of the state organization.
• Above all, maintain a courteous relation between the assembly and Chair. 60 July 1994