The Daring Book for Girls - Andrea J. Buchanan [111]
A treasurer’s report should list:
The date of meeting
Balance on hand at the date of last meeting
Receipts (money received)
Disbursements (money paid out)
Reserve funds (if any)
Balance on hand at the date of report (the original balance on hand, plus receipts, minus disbursements, plus reserve fund)
The treasurer should sign the report at the bottom.
BEING A MEMBER
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The point of parliamentary procedure is that everyone has a chance for her voice to be heard—even members who aren’t officers or chairpeople. A member makes herself and her ideas known through something called a motion. A motion is a method of introducing business in a meeting, and there are two kinds of motions: main motions and secondary motions.
A main motion is a proposal that action be taken (or an opinion expressed) by the group. This kind of motion cannot be made when any other motion is on the floor (that is, being discussed), and always yields to secondary motions. Main motions require a “second” (a second person who supports the motion) unless they are made by a committee. Main motions can be debated and amended, and they always require a majority vote.
A secondary motion is one that can be made while a main motion is on the floor, even before it has been decided. There are three kinds of secondary motions: subsidiary motions, privileged motions, and incidental motions. Subsidiary motions pertain to the main motion on the floor, and their purpose is to change or affect how a main motion is handled. They are voted on before a main motion. Privileged motions are urgent motions, such as recess or adjournment, that do not relate to pending business. Incidental motions deal with process and procedure—correcting errors, verifying votes—and must be considered before the other motion.
Making a motion
First, request the floor by standing and addressing the chairperson: “Madam President.” Once you are recognized by the chairperson, introduce your motion by saying, “I move that…” and then stating your proposal. Another member (who does not need to stand or be recognized by the chairperson) supports your motion by saying, “I second the motion.” If your motion is not seconded, the chairperson can dismiss it, saying “Since there is no second, the motion is not before this meeting.” If your motion is seconded, the chairperson announces and restates your motion, saying “It has been moved and seconded that [your proposal here].” Now the motion is “pending,” that is, awaiting debate before it can be voted on and finalized. The chairperson asks, “Is there any discussion?” The chairperson recognizes members who wish to debate the motion. After the discussion is over, she puts the question to a vote, saying, “The question is on the motion that [your proposal here]. All in favor of the motion say ‘aye’; all opposed say ‘no’.” The chair then announces the results of the vote.
You can modify or withdraw your motion before it has been stated by the chairperson. After it has been stated by the chairperson, if you wish to change the motion, you may offer an amendment; if you wish to withdraw it, you must ask permission of the group to do so. Keep in mind that your motion may be ruled “out of order” (inappropriate or incorrect) if it: goes against your group’s bylaws, repeats a question asked or motion made on the same day, conflicts with another already adopted motion, or is frivolous or rude.
Voting on a Motion
How your group votes depends on the policy of your organization, but in general there are five voting methods most often used: voting by voice, by roll call, by general consent, by division, and by ballot voting. The chairperson counts the vote.
In a voice vote, the chairperson asks those in favor to say