Parliamentary Procedure - Can the chairman make motions?

["Larsen, Seraphim L" <seraphim.l.larsen@intel.com>]

Here's the answer to the question on whether the chairman can make motions.

 

-Seraphim 

Frequently Asked 
Questions - Parliamentary Procedure - Robert's Rules (http://www.parlipro.org/faqanswers.htm)

Can the chairman make motions?
Yes, the chairman, if a member, has the same RIGHT to make a motion as any other member. In small small boards of not more than about a dozen members present, the chairman usually participates the same as other members. However, in larger assemblies, the chairman has a duty to remain impartial, so would usually not make a motion directly. The chairman could say, for example, "The chairman will entertain a motion to..." and then wait for a member to make it, or "Is there a motion to suspend the rules that interfere with hearing the speaker at this time?"

The chairman may also assume a motion, as in: "If there are no [further] corrections, the minutes stand approved as read [as corrected]." or "If there is no further business to come before the meeting, this meeting will now adjourn. [pause] Hearing none, this meeting is adjourned."

So you see, without actually directly making a motion, the chair can accomplish pretty much the same thing without blatantly compromising his or her impartiality. Another option is to ask someone before the meeting to make a motion that the chair wishes to be considered. After all, the chairman is a member, too, and has just as much right to have things go their way as any other member. Accepting the job of chairman does not remove any rights as a member. For more information, refer to RONR 10th ed.  pp. 470-471, 343, 210, 234, 490.

Seraphim Larsen
Intel Corporation • ECG TechComm
Chandler, AZ • (480) 552-6504
My opinions only; I don't speak for Intel.