A. Generally
Board meetings shall be conducted in an organized and efficient manner. Although the meeting may be held in an informal atmosphere, it is the responsibility of each board member to observe the procedures of the board and to respect the rights and integrity of fellow board members and persons appearing before the board. Items of discussion shall be limited to the question at hand.
B. Presiding Officer
The member presiding shall be responsible for enforcing the bylaws of the board, controlling the flow of the board's business, maintaining order and ensuring that each member has an opportunity to express his/her views.
The chair shall have the right to make and second motions, to vote on all questions before the board, to speak on motions before the board, and to rule on disputes concerning board procedures.
C. Precedence of Subsidiary Questions
While a question is pending, no motion shall be received but to adjourn, to lay on the table for the previous question, to postpone to a certain day, to commit to a committee, or to amend.
D. Modifications and Amendments to Motion
Until the chair states the motion, the maker has the right to modify his/her motion if he/she pleases, or to withdraw it at the suggestion of other members. The maker can refuse to modify the motions. After the question has been stated by the chair, the motion becomes the property of the board, and then its maker can do neither of these things without the board's consent; but while the motion is pending, the board can change the working by process of amendment and before acting upon it.
E. Appeal
The presiding officer is delegated the authority and duty to make necessary rulings on parliamentary law; but any two (2) of these members have the right to appeal from his/her decision on such a question--one member making the appeal and another seconding it. By appeal the decision is taken from the chair and vested in the board for final decision.
F. Reconsideration of Questions
A question decided by the board shall not be raised again until after the next organizational meeting unless leave to introduce the same be granted by majority vote by the members of the board. This rule shall not be so construed as to prevent a motion to reconsider, providing said motion be made during the same session or at the next regular meeting succeeding the one at which the original action was taken, and , provided, furthermore, that said motion be made by member who voted with the majority.
Adopted: 1-24-83