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Page 7 of 13 <br /> To entertain and answer questions of parliamentary law or procedure; <br /> To call a brief recess at any time; <br /> To adjourn in an emergency. <br />A decision by the presiding officer under any of the first three powers listed may be <br />appealed to the board upon motion of any member, immediately after such decision is <br />announced and at no other time. The member making the motion need not be recognized <br />by the chair and may not be ruled out of order. <br /> <br />Rule 7. Action by the Board <br />The board shall proceed by motion, except in the case of elections of officers that shall <br />proceed according to the rules established in that section of the by-laws. Any member <br />including the chair may make a motion. <br /> <br />Rule 8. Seconds to Motions <br />A motion from committee does not require a second. A motion from the floor does <br />require a second. <br /> <br />Rule 9. One Motion at a Time <br />A member may make only one motion at a time. <br /> <br />Rule 10. Substantive Motions <br />A substantive motion is out of order while another substantive motion is pending. A <br />substantive motion is one that refers to main or principal motions as opposed to those <br />procedural in nature. This allows the board to consider one piece of business at a time. <br /> <br />Rule 11. Adoption by Majority Vote <br />A motion shall be adopted by a majority of the votes cast, a quorum being present. A <br />majority is more than half of those present. <br /> <br />Rule 12. Debate <br />The chair shall state the motion and then open the floor to debate. The chair shall preside <br />over the debate according to the following general principles: <br /> The maker of the motion is entitled to speak first; <br /> A member who has not spoken on the issue shall be recognized before someone who <br />has already spoken; <br /> Generally, the debate shall alternate between supporters and opponents of a motion. <br /> <br />If an agenda item has been placed for discussion and possible motion, then discussion <br />may occur prior to a motion being placed on the floor. <br /> <br />Rule 12. Procedural Motions <br />In addition to substantive proposals only the following procedural motions are in order. <br />Unless otherwise noted, each motion is debatable, may be amended, and requires a <br />majority of the votes cast, a quorum being present, for adoption. Procedural motions are <br />in order while a substantive motion is pending and at other times, except as otherwise <br />noted.