Orange County NC Website
22 23 <br /> this motion, but since the number of members is small and <br /> procedures to limit debate are available, this rule allows de- <br /> bate on the motion.As in Robert's Rules of Order,the motion is <br /> in order at any time. Note that under Rule 11, the chair also <br /> has the power to call a brief recess. <br /> 4. To Call to Follow the Agenda. The motion must be made at <br /> the first reasonable opportunity or it is waived. <br /> Comment:This motion differs from the call for the orders of the <br /> day in Robert's Rules of Order: it may be debated and must be <br /> made when an item of business that deviates from the agenda is <br /> proposed or the right to insist on following the agenda is waived <br /> for that item. <br /> 5. To Suspend the Rules. The motion requires a vote equal to a quorum. <br /> Comment: This motion differs from Robert's Rules of Order in <br /> that it is debatable and amendable and the number of neces- <br /> sary votes is a quorum rather than two-thirds. Thus if a board <br /> has seven members, four members (a quorum) must vote for <br /> the motion; if only four members are present at a particular <br /> meeting, all four must vote for the motion in order to adopt it. <br /> This motion is in order when the board wishes to do something <br /> that it may legally do but cannot without violating its own <br /> rules.The procedure will pose some problems for a three-mem- <br /> ber board, as it can be used to prevent one member from par- <br /> ticipating in the board's deliberations. Frequent use of the <br /> motion to prevent one member from presenting proposals to <br /> the board or from speaking on an issue before the board is of <br /> doubtful legality. A three-member board may decide to re- <br /> quire a unanimous vote to suspend the rules. <br /> 6. To Divide a Complex Motion and Consider it by Paragraph. <br /> This motion is in order whenever a member wishes to con- <br /> sider and vote on subparts of a complex motion separately. <br /> Comment: This motion is the same as the division of a ques- <br /> tion and consideration by paragraph in Robert's Rules of Order <br /> except that it is debatable. <br /> 7. To Defer Consideration. The board may defer a substantive <br /> motion for later consideration at an unspecified time. A sub- <br /> stantive motion that has been deferred expires 100 days there- <br /> after, unless a motion to revive consideration is adopted. <br /> Comment: This motion, which replaces the motion to lay on <br />