Castle Valley Times | 1994-02-15 | Page 2

2 - CHANGING TIMES ~ FEBRUARY 1994 More MOTIONS from Page 1 ~ wants to bring it up for discussion. If there isn’t any second, time will not be wasted on a motion that interests just one member. Until the motion has been seconded, the member who made the motion is free to change it or withdraw it completely. But seconding a motion is like buying underwear. You just can’t take it back. It is now official town council business and must be voted on. The mover (of the motion) is allowed to speak first in its favor. Then all the other members are allowed to air their opinions. The right to a free and full debate on most motions is guaranteed all members (except when the amendment that amends a main motion (motion sickness is an occupational hazard among politicians; this limit is one of the safeguards). Once opinions have been stated, the chairperson asks, “Are you ready to vote?” If there is no more discussion, a vote is taken and the chair announces the result. When done properly, it all works with a wondrous mechanical precision. It strips the decision-making process of prejudice and personality, and allows for democratic rule. This is why in our household we have dropped the much simpler Mussolini's Rule of Order (just two words: Obey me!) and have adopted Robert's Rules of Order in its place. In fact, this morning while 1 was finishing off the last of the Crispix, Dashiel made his first motion. motion is illegal or absurd, such as a motion to form a town militia or ban ownership of Chryslers). If a hastily made motion is seconded, but is not in good enough shape to approve, members might find themselves in the awkward position of voting against something they basically approve of, or in favor of something that is inherently faulty. Either way, they end up with egg on their faces. That is why there are secondary motions, which can patch up the main motion so it is in good enough shape to deserve a vote. When a secondary motion has been made, it must be voted on before going back to the main motion. If the secondary motion passes, then it changes the wording of the main motion, which is then in turn voted upon. There are limits on how far you can go on this. A member, for example, can move to amend an amendment to a main motion, but cannot move to amend an amendment to another “1 move that we go to Slickrock Cinema this afternoon.” “I second the motion,” said Olivia. “Well, I move that we amend the main motion by requiring two hours of yardwork first.” I said. Jil seconded my motion. “Well, I move that we refer this matter to the kid’s committee,” said Olivia. “I second the motion,” said Dashiel. We all voted in favor of this motion, and the kids disappeared into the bathroom for a few moments. As soon as they came back, I tried to railroad the issue by making the motion to postpone indefinitely the main motion, but Olivia outflanked me. “1 t t I ét@t@t< Feb/Mar Star Stuff February 1994 18—First Quarter Moon 10:47 am. MST 25—Full Moon 6:15 pm. On the 28th, at 10 pm. the Moon will be 07° south of the bright star Spica. Comet Shoemaker—Levy 9 continues pacing Jupiter through the constel— lation Libra. You will find the comet glowing faintly about 3° southwest of Jupiter. March 1994 4—Last Quarter Moon 9:53 pm. 12—New Moon 12:05 am. 14—Mars is just north of Saturn 3 am. Early risers on March mornings will be greeted by Sagittarius, a prominent constellation that heralds the return of summer stars. On the morning of the 7th the Moon passes close to Uranus and Neptune, both bright “stars” in binoculars, but disks viewed under the magnification of a telescope. Visible in binoculars and small ‘scopes, two comets are available this month. Tempel 1 is in Virgo, and West— Kohoutek-lkemura is in eastern Perseus. -Sam Welch (from Astronomy Magazine) \!®!0!/ /‘\ /l\ motion ranks lower than the motion to refer, and must be ruled out of order.” We had to thumb through Robert's on that one. Okay, granted. “At this time,” said Olivia, “the Canyonlands Llamas ANN BENGE yardwork and moves for an immediate Moab Civic Center, Wed., Mar. 2, 7 pm. COPIES of plan are available at Grand County Library. /l\ rise to a point of order. The postpone kids committee is not in favor of the motion requiring two hours of Regarding Army's planned launching of missiles over Hatch Point: PUBLIC HEARING ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF ARMY PLAN t 9:6 vote on the matter.” I didn’t worry when Jil voted in their favor because I knew that she would side with me in opposing the pending main motion of going to the cinema. But when we voted on that one, mine was the only dissenting vote. You win some, you lose some. Robert’s Rules of Order is based on the idea of the minority “cheerfully assisting the majority once a decision has been made.” I move that we strike the word “cheerfully” from the text. Do I hear a second..... —Charlie Kulander CVSR 1911 Moab, Utah 84532 [phone]