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20 27 <br /> The member making the motion need not be recognized by the <br /> presiding officer, and the motion,if timely made, may not be ruled <br /> out of order. <br /> Comment: The chair normally presides at board meetings. In <br /> his or her absence, the vice-chair, if there is one, presides. If <br /> there is no vice-chair, or if both the chair and vice-chair are <br /> absent,the board typically selects a temporary presiding officer. <br /> The board may choose whether the chair always votes or votes <br /> only to break a tie. Someone who is temporarily presiding in <br /> the chair's place is still a full member of the board and thus <br /> entitled to make motions and to vote. <br /> The chair or anyone presiding in the chair's place has substan- <br /> tial procedural powers, but those powers are not absolute. <br /> Under this rule and Rule 15, any board member is entitled to <br /> make a motion to appeal to the other members concerning <br /> the presiding officer's decisions on motions, decorum in de- <br /> bate and most other procedural matters. <br /> There are two exceptions to this right of appeal. A chair or <br /> other presiding officer may adjourn without the board's vote or <br /> appeal in an emergency, and he or she may also call a brief <br /> recess without a vote at any time,when necessary to"clear the <br /> air"and thus reduce friction among the members. <br /> Rule 12. Presiding Officer when the Chair is in Active Debate. <br /> If the chair wishes to become actively engaged in debate on a <br /> particular proposal, he or she shall designate another board mem- <br /> ber to preside. The chair shall resume the duty to preside as <br /> soon as action on the matter is concluded. <br /> Comment:Good leadership depends,to a certain extent,on not <br /> taking sides during a debate. On a small board this may not <br /> always be feasible or desirable;yet an unfair advantage accrues <br /> to the side whose advocate controls access to the floor.This rule <br /> is designed to ensure evenhanded treatment to both sides dur- <br /> ing a heated debate.Ordinarily the chair should call on the vice- <br /> chair to preside if he or she finds it necessary to step aside. <br /> Rule 13. Action by the Board. The board shall proceed by mo- <br /> tion. Any member, including the chair, may make a motion. If two <br /> or more Commissioners speak at the same time to make a motion <br /> (or second), the chair shall determine, for purposes of recording <br /> action for the minutes, which name the clerk shall use. <br />