[Ofsrdc] Parliamentary Stuff

[Tim Roberts]

Coleeta's question yesterday about voting to close the nominations 
inspired me to investigate the issue.

Interestingly, Robert's Rules says that the motion to close nominations 
should only be used in very large assemblies (like political 
conventions, which is where the bulk of Robert's Rules is aimed), and 
should not normally be used in "average societies", unless there is a 
clear attempt by some group to hijack the proceedings.

Our Practices & Procedures do not mention the formal closing of 
nominations.  The election procedure says that the nominating committee 
announces its results at the January state meeting, then turns them over 
to the Corresponding Secretary by February 1st.  The Corresponding 
Secretary then handles the process of putting biographies in the OFN and 
making up a ballot.  From that description, it seems clear to me that 
the real "close of nominations" happens on Feb 1st, when the nomination 
committee formally completes its obligations.

If we use that as the cutoff, then a motion to close nominations at the 
meeting serves no purpose.  At one time, we used to get two and 
sometimes three candidates for each position, but since the process of 
gathering names has grown so much more difficult, we want to offer every 
opportunity that we can.  Thus, it might be appropriate for next year's 
President to call for additional nominations from the floor during the 
meeting, but not go through the process of the motion to close.

-- 
Tim Roberts, timr at probo.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.

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