Rules of Order

Rules of Order – revised October 14, 2003
Approved by the
Board of Governors
October 14, 2003

RULES OF ORDER FOR MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

  1. In the absence of the Chair, his or her duties may be performed by a Vice Chair or such other external governor as the Board may from time to time appoint for the purpose. (By-law No. 1 – Article 11.5.2)
  2. Except for votes to amend or adopt by-laws, all questions arising at a meeting of governors shall be decided by a majority vote. Votes to amend or adopt by-laws shall require a two-thirds majority. In the case of an equality of votes, the Chair shall have a second or casting vote. (By-law No. 1 – Article 6.9.1)
  3. All votes at any meeting of governors shall be taken by ballot if so demanded by any governor present, but if no demand be made the vote shall be taken in the usual way by assent or dissent. (By-law No. 1 – Article 6.9.2)
  4. A demand for a recorded vote may be made by any governor present. (By-law No. 1 – Article 6.9.3)
  5. When the Chair is called upon to decide a point of order or practice he or she shall state the rule applicable to the case without comment and render his decision. The ruling of the Chair shall be final subject only to an appeal to the Board, without debate. If any member challenges the ruling of the Chair he or she shall indicate such challenge to the Chair who shall thereupon put the question to the members present.
  6. In any matter of Business pertaining to the amendment or adoption of by-laws a notice of motion is required.
  7. Each member may speak once on all motions, except those classed as non-debatable. Except at the discretion of the Chair, no member shall speak longer than 5 minutes on the same motion. No member shall speak more than once upon any motion, other than to obtain information, except that the mover of the original motion, but not of any amendment thereto, shall be given the opportunity to reply thereby concluding the debate.
  8. A motion to adjourn or to postpone indefinitely shall be put without debate.
  9. A motion to postpone to a time definite or to refer shall be debatable only with respect to the propriety of postponement or referral.
  10. A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, but no second motion to the same effect shall be made until some other business shall have intervened.
  11. A motion to refer, until it is decided, shall preclude all amendment of the main motion.
  12. The previous question may be moved at any time when a motion with no pending amendments is before the Chair, provided always that no member while actually speaking shall be interrupted for this purpose. The previous question is debatable and until it is decided, shall preclude any amendment to the main motion. If carried, the Chair shall forthwith put the question upon the motion. If lost, the Chair shall not put the main motion to a vote.
  13. When a motion to postpone indefinitely is carried, the motion to which it applies, together with all appending subsidiary motions, shall be removed from the agenda, and shall only be placed again before the Board after due notice of motion to that effect has been given and has received a majority vote of those governors present and voting at a regularly scheduled Board meeting.
  14. All amendments to a motion shall be put before the motion and in the reverse order in which they were moved.
  15. Only one amendment shall be allowed to an amendment. An amendment shall be directly relevant to the main motion and shall propose some change in form or substance of the main motion, but shall not change the nature thereof by the introduction of new substantive matter. An amendment to an amendment shall be directly relevant to the main motion and amendment and shall propose some change in the form or substance of the amendment, but shall not change the nature thereof. The amendment may propose:
    1. To leave out certain words
    2. To leave out certain words in order to insert other words
    3. To insert or add other words.

    An amendment which negates the motion shall be out of order.

  16. When the motion under consideration contains distinct propositions, a vote upon each proposition shall be taken separately upon the request of the Chair or any other members.
  17. No member shall speak to the motion after it has been put by the Chair, nor shall any other motion be made until after the result is declared, and the decision of the Chair as to whether the question has been put shall be conclusive.
  18. Every recommendation in a report presented to the Board may be considered separately. Upon the request of any member a vote shall be taken separately upon each or any of the recommendations contained in a report. All committee recommendations may be amended by the Board before adoption, including recommendations arising from the Committee of the Whole.

(Note: It was agreed that these rules would not be strictly adhered to at Board Committee meetings.)