Amendments

An amendment is a proposal to alter a motion to make it more acceptable. However, it must not contradict the original motion, and it is the Chair's role to ensure this.

Each amendment must have a mover and a seconder, and must be debated and voted on before the original motion is voted upon. If the amendment is passed, it is combined with the original motion and is called the 'substantive motion'.

Unacceptable amendments

A Chair can reject an amendment to a motion using the same criteria as for rejecting a motion, or if the amendment:

contradicts the motion
raises something already dealt with
is inconsistent with earlier resolutions
is irrelevant or designed to be obstructive.

CriteriaAs chairperson, you must accept for discussion any correctly assembled motions. You can decline to accept a motion if it:

is in conflict with any of the legal provisions of the body

proposes action beyond the legal powers of the body

attempts to reverse a motion lost at the same meeting

repeats an earlier decision or established policy

was not included in the meeting notice

is outside the powers of the constitution or standing orders

is irrelevant to the meeting

is redundant (has already been attended to)

is worded in objectionable language

is inconsistent with a previous decision

is unclear or ambiguous

is frivolous or obstructive.

One of the Board members is unhappy not only with the original motion, but with the amendment. What can they do?

You may wish to refer to some of the material listed in the Further resources section in the ValleyView Library.

Submit your response to the ValleyView Meeting room, under the topic Unhappy board member, and ask for comments to be posted back. Make sure you respond to at least one other posting.

Use the menu below to continue.

Meetings in progress

123456789101112131415161718