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MRSC has joined with Carl Neu, Director of the Center for the Future of Local Governance, P. Stephen DiJulio, Attorney, Foster Pepper PLLC, and Paul McClintock, Professional Registered Parliamentarian, to bring you the "Council/Commission Advisor." The Council/Commission Advisor will feature a new article each month with timely information and advice you can use.*
Meeting Tips and Myths
June 2006
Paul McClintock Professional Registered Parliamentarian
Meeting Tip: Unanimous Consent
When the chair expects no opposition to a motion, time can often be saved by the procedure of unanimous consent. Also called general consent, the procedure is as follows. The chair states, "If there is no objection..." or "Without objection..." and the action that is proposed. After pausing, if no member says, "I object," the chair continues with, "Since there is no objection..." and states the action that will be taken. If any member objects, the motion must be formally processed (see note below). -- See Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 10th edition, pages 51-52.
(Note: The standard steps in processing a motion are: a member
makes a motion, another member seconds it, the chair states the
motion, the members debate the motion, the chair puts the motion to a
vote, the chair announces the vote result. -- See Robert's Rules
of Order Newly Revised, 10th edition, pages 40-48.)
Meeting Myth
Meeting Myth: A motion adopted by the required vote but which lacked a second is null and void.
Fact: "After debate has begun or, if there is no debate, after any member has voted, the lack of a second has become
immaterial and it is too late to make a point of order that the motion has not been seconded." -- Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 10th edition, page 35.
P. Stephen DiJulio, a partner at Foster Pepper & Shefelman PLLC, focuses on litigation involving state and local governments, and land use and environmental law. Particular experience includes representation of jurisdictions on eminent domain, utilities (water, wastewater, storm water, solid waste systems), local improvement districts, facility siting and contractor litigation. More.
Carl Neu, author and consultant, is recognized nationally as an authority on, and an experienced practitioner of, the theory and application of governance and leadership to city councils and county boards, local government managers, and community leaders. More.
Paul McClintock is a Professional Registered Parliamentarian and Certified Parliamentarian, professionally serving organizations as parliamentarian at meetings, teaching workshops, and writing parliamentary opinions. He also is an active leader in the National Association of Parliamentarians and the American Institute of Parliamentarians at several levels. More.
*The Articles appearing in the "Council/Commission" column represent the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Municipal Research & Services Center.