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17 18 <br /> 2. To determine whether a speaker has gone beyond reasonable <br /> standards of courtesy in his or her remarks and to entertain and <br /> rule on objections from other members on this ground; <br /> 3. To entertain and answer questions of parliamentary law or <br /> procedure; <br /> 4. To call a brief recess at any time; <br /> 5. To adjourn in an emergency. <br /> A decision by the presiding officer under any of the first three <br /> powers listed above may be appealed to the board upon motion of <br /> any member. Such a motion is in order immediately after a <br /> decision under those powers is announced and at no other time. <br /> The member making the motion need not be recognized by the <br /> presiding officer, and the motion, if timely made, may not be <br /> ruled 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 <br /> substantial procedural powers, but those powers are not <br /> absolute. Under this rule and Rule 15, any board member is <br /> entitled to make a motion to appeal to the other members <br /> concerning the presiding officer's decisions on motions, <br /> decorum in debate 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 <br /> or 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 <br /> the air" and thus reduce friction among the members. <br /> Rule 12.Presiding Officer when the Chair is in Active Debate.If <br /> the chair wishes to become actively engaged in debate on a <br /> particular proposal, he or she shall designate another board <br /> member to preside. The chair shall resume the duty to preside as <br /> soon as action on the matter is concluded. <br />