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Rosenbergs R:sler of Order: Simple Parliamenta�y Procedure for the 2l.rt Century a staFf person, c�r a cummittee diair charged with providing information about the agenda item. Third, the chair should ask members of �he body if they have any technicaf yuestions For clari6caxion. At this point, members of the governrng bodp ma}' ask clarifying questions to the people who reporced on �he item, and they should be given time to respond. Fourth, the chair should invite public commen[s or, if appropriate at a forn�al meetiitg, open the meeting ta public inpu[. If numerous members oFthe pub- lic i�tdicate a desire co speak ta eE�e sub- ject, che chair may Eimit che time of each public speaker. A� the conclusion of the public cominents, the chair should ann- ounce that public input has concluded (or that the public liearing, as the case may be, is closed). Pifth, the chair should invite a motion from the governing body members. The chair should announce the name of che member who makes the motion. Sixt1�, the chair should determine if an}� member of [he body wishes to second the morioit, The c6a'sr shauld announce the name of che meniber who seconcis the ntocion. It is normally good practice For a motion ro require a second before proceedfng �vith it, to ensure that it is not just one member of the bady who is inrerested in a particular approach. However, a second is not an absolute requirement, and the chair can proceed wich consideration and a vote on the ntotion eve�i when there is no seco�id. This is a matter left to the discrerion af the chair. Seventh, iF the motion is made and sec- onded, [he chair should make sure ever��- one underscands the motion. This is done in one of three ways: ]. The chair can ask die maker oFthe mocioil to repeat it; 2. The ciiair can repeat the mation; or 3. The chair can ask the secrecary or the clerf� of fhe bod}' to repeat the mocion. 2 Leagae of Caliiornia Cities Eighth, rhe chair should no�v invite dis- cussion of the mocion by the memhers of rhe governing body. If there is no desired discussion or the discussion has ended, [he chair should an�iounce that the body �vil[ vote on the motion. I.f there has been no discussion or a very brief discussion, �he vote should proceed immediacely, and there is no need to re- pea� the motion. If there has been sub- stantial discussion, it is normally best to make sure everyone understands the mo�ion by repeating i�. Motions are made in a simple two-step process. Firsc, che chair recognizes the member. Second, the member makes a mocion b}' preceding the �nember's desired approach wirh the words: "I move ..." A q�pical mocion might be: "I move that we give i0 day�s' notice in the fu�ure for all our meecings." The chair usually initiates the mocion by: I. Im�iring the members to make a motian: "A motio� at this time would be in order." Deba�e on policy is healthy; debate on personalities is not. The chair has the right to cut aff discussion that is too personal, too loud or too crude. Ninth, the chair takes a vote. Simplp aski�g Eor the "apes" and then the "nays" is normally sufficient. If inembers of the body do nat vote, then they "abstain." Unless the rules of the body provide otherwise or unless a super-majoriry is required {as delineared later in these rules), a simple majorig� determi�es whecher che motion passes or is defeated. T'enth, che chair shou[d announce che result of ehe voce and should announce what action {if any) ihe bady has taken. In annoancing the result, the chair should indicate the names of the mem- bers, if any, �vho voted in the minoriry on the motion. This announcement might take the following form: °The motio�i passes b}' a va�e of 3-2, �vith Smith aiid Jones dissenting. We have passed che motion requiring ]0 days' notice for all fucure meecings of this governing bod,v." Motions in General IVlotions are �he vehicles for decision- making. Ic is usually best to have a mot- ion before the goveriting body prior to discussing an agenda icem, co help every- one focus on the mation before chem. 2. Suggesting a mocion to the members: "A motion woiifd be in order cha� we give 10-days' no�ice in �he fumre for all our mee�ings," 3. Making che mocion. As noted, the chair f�as every right as a member of tlie 6od}' to make a motion, 6ut. normafly should do so only if he or she wishes a mocion ta be made bu� no other mem6er seems willing to do so. The Three Basic Motions Three motions are the most common: Thc basic motion. The basic motion is the one thac pu�s forward a deci- sion for consideracion. A basic n�or- ion might be: "I move that we create a five-n�ember commictee ro plan and put on our annual fundraiser." 2. The motion to amend. If a member �vanrs to change a basic motion rhat is under discussion, he or she would move to amend it A motion to amend mrghc be: "I m�ve rhat we amend rhe motion to Izave a l0- member con�mitree." A motion to amend cakes the basic motian ihar is before the boc€y and seeks ro change it in some way.