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Changing Your Mind Gracefully: Reconsider and Rescind: Part Two

Outline

Purpose
Reconsider: This motion enables the majority of the assembly to bring back for further consideration a motion that has been voted on.
Limitations:
  • Only a member who voted with the prevailing side can make this motion. There is no requirement on the vote of the member seconding the motion.
  • Unless the rules of the organization indicate otherwise, in an ordinary meeting of an organization this motion can be made only on the same day the vote to be reconsidered was taken.
Effect:
  • Making the motion: Suspension of all action that depends on the result of the vote proposed to be reconsidered.
  • Adoption of the motion: Immediately to place again before the assembly the question on which the vote is to be reconsidered. It comes before the assembly in the exact position it was in the moment before it was originally voted upon.
Exceptions of the motion. (Robert's p 307-8) The Reconsider motion cannot be applied to:
  • A motion that can be renewed within a reasonable time
  • An affirmative vote whose provisions have been partially carried out
  • An affirmative vote in the nature of a contract when the party to the contract has been notified of the outcome
  • Any vote which has caused something to be done that it is impossible to undo
  • A vote on a motion to Reconsider
  • When practically the same result as desired can be obtained by some other parliamentary motion
Motions whose reconsideration is prohibited or limited are listed in Robert's on tented pages 47-8)
Rescind This motion allows the assembly to change an action previously taken aka: Repeal or Annul.
Limitations
  • This motion can be applied to any motion previously adopted provided that none of the action involved has been carried out in a way that is too late to undo.
  • Negative vote on this motion can be reconsidered, but an affirmative vote cannot.
  • Not in order when the making or calling up of the motion to Reconsider is in order.
Effect - Cancels a previous action taken by the body
Vote needed
  • In an assembly:
    • Majority with notice,
    • 2/3 without notice, or
    • Majority of entire membership without notice.
  • In a committee: 2/3 vote unless all the members who voted for the motion to be rescinded are present or have received previous notice. Then, a majority.
Strategic Uses - Typical & Atypical
Reconsider
Reconsideration in committees - different rules:
  • Can be made regardless of the time that has elapsed since the original vote was taken.
  • There is no limit to the number of times a motion can be reconsidered.
  • Can be made by any member of the committee who did not vote with the losing side.
  • The vote required is:
    • 2/3
    • Majority vote only if all of the committee members who voted on the prevailing side are present or have been notified that the reconsideration motion will be made
Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes
  • Is a special form of Reconsider. It should be used only inextreme cases.
  • The purpose of this form is to prevent a temporary majority from taking advantage of an unrepresentative attendance at a meeting to vote an action that is opposed by a majority.
  • Must be moved on the same day as the vote was taken.
  • Cannot be called up until another day.
  • If it is seconded, all action required by the vote proposed to be reconsidered is suspended. Time is given to notify absent members of the proposed action.
Making and Calling Up Reconsider. This motion can be divided into the making of the motion to Reconsider and the actual consideration of the motion to Reconsider, referred to as calling up.
  • Just the making and seconding of the motion to Reconsider temporarily suspends actions stemming from the vote it is proposed to Reconsider.
  • That suspension lasts until the vote on Reconsider is taken.
Situations in which the use of this motion may be helpful:
  • Vote on the prevailing side now so you can use this motion later
  • Change your vote so you can use this motion later
  • Prevent reconsideration of your just passed pet motion
  • Use Point of Order to protect your ability to use it later
  • Current make up of the assembly is not representative
  • Use other motions to prevent this motion from killing your pet motion
Rescind
Amend Something Previously Adopted. This motion is governed by identical rules as the motion to Rescind. If the purpose is to change the previous action that the group has taken, the motion to Amend Something Previously Adopted is used.
Situations in which the use of this motion may be helpful:
  • Use this motion after your have been able to change some minds
  • When using previous notice to lower the vote requirement, make sure the amendment is within the scope of notice
  • Use Amend Something Previously Adopted to prevent the complete rejection of a motion by the motion to Rescind
  • This motion can be used to remove someone from office
Confusion between Reconsider and Rescind
Subject Timing Maker of
Motion		 Outcome of
Original
Motion		 Timing of
Consider
ation of
Motion		 Second
Needed		 Debatable Amend
able		 Vote
Needed
Reconsider Same
Session		 Must have
voted on the
prevailing
side		 Passed or
failed		 If made at
one time
can be
called up
later		 Tes Yes, only if
motion
being
reconsidered
is debatable		 No Majority
Rescind Later
Session		 No
restrictions
of vote on
original
motion		 Passed At time the
motion is
made		 Yes Yes Yes 2/3,
Majority
with
notice,
Majority
of
members
For specific information on rules see Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, Chapter IX
Script: Motion to Reconsider

script of reconsider and rescind Download this script as a PDF download a word docDownload this script as a MS Word Doc view webpage verision View an online, printable version of this script

SCRIPT: MOTION TO RECONSIDER

Member:

I move to Reconsider the vote on _________________.

Chair:

The motion to Reconsider can be made only by a member who voted on the prevailing side. That motion [passed/failed]. Therefore, you needed to have voted [in favor/against] the motion. Is that how you voted?

Is there a second to the motion?

Second Member:

It is moved and seconded to Reconsider the vote on ________________.

The question is: shall the motion be Reconsidered?

[If the motion is debatable] Is there any discussion?

[After discussion] Are you ready for the question? [Pause]

[If the motion is undebatable]
We will now go to the vote. The question is: shall the motion to ___________________ be Reconsidered?

Those in favor, say aye. [Pause for response]

Those opposed, say no.

The affirmative has it, the motion is adopted, and the motion is reconsidered. The motion on the floor and open for discussion at this time is ____________________________________.

[Proceed with discussion and the vote on the motion that is reconsidered.]
or
The negative has it, the motion is lost, and we will not reconsider the motion.

Therefore, the original decision made by the members on this motion stands.
[Repeat the original motion and the original vote.]

The next business in order is . . .

RULES FOR THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER:

  • Is debatable only if the motion being reconsidered is debatable.
  • Is not amendable.
  • Needs a majority vote.
  • Can only be made by a person who voted on the prevailing side.
  • Can be moved only on the same or the next succeeding day after the original vote was taken.
  • Vote needed: Majority
Script: Motion to Rescind

script of reconsider and rescind Download this script as a PDFdownload a word docDownload this script as a MS Word Doc view webpage verision View an online, printable version of this script

SCRIPT: MOTION TO RESCIND

Member:

I move to Rescind the motion adopted at the ______ [state the month] meeting to [state the motion].

Chair:

Is there a second to the motion? [This statement is eliminated if a member calls out "second" or if the motion is made on behalf of a committee.]

Second Member:

I second the motion.
 

It is moved and seconded that we Rescind the motion adopted at the _______ [state the month] meeting to _______________ [state the motion].

Is there any discussion?

[After discussion] Is there any further discussion? Are you ready for the question?

[Pause] The question is on the adoption of the motion that we Rescind the motion adopted at the
________ [state the month] meeting to ______________________ [state the motion].

Those in favor of the motion to Rescind, please stand. [Pause] You may be seated. Those opposed to the motion, please stand. [Pause] You may be seated.

The affirmative has it, the motion is adopted, and we have rescinded the action adopted at the _______ [state the month] meeting to_______________________ [state the motion].
or
The negative has it, the motion is lost, and we will not Rescind the action adopted at the
______________meeting. We will ______________________ [state the motion].

The next business in order is . . .

RULES FOR THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER:

  • Needs a second.
  • Is debatable.
  • Is amendable.
  • Vote needed: a two-thirds vote; a majority vote if previous notice is given; or a majority of the entire membership.

 

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