Amend

Question 1

What is the purpose of the subsidiary motion to Amend?

Answer 1

To modify the wording of a pending motion before the pending motion itself is acted upon

Question 2

Does the adoption of the subsidiary motion to amend adopt the motion amended?

Answer 2

No

Question 3

Who “makes an amendment”

Answer 3

Only the assembly

Question 4

Is the subsidiary motion to Amend out of order when another member has the floor?

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

Must the subsidiary motion to amend be seconded before it can be considered?

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

Your question has three parts

1) Is the subsidiary motion to amend always debatable?
2) Explain your answer.
3) Can debate go into the merits of the main motion?

Answer 6

1) No
2) It is debatable whenever the motion to which it is applied to is debatable.
3) No

Question 7

Is the subsidiary motion to amend amendable?

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

What vote is required to adopt the subsidiary motion to amend?

Answer 8

Majority

Question 9

What vote is required to amend a motion that requires a two-thirds vote itself to be adopted?

Answer 9

Majority

Question 10

Can the subsidiary motion to amend be reconsidered?

Answer 10

Yes

Question 11

What class of motions does the motion to amend belong to if it is made when a motion is pending?

Answer 11

Subsidiary

Question 12

Name one subsidiary motion that the subsidiary motion to amend takes precedence over.

Answer 12

Postpone Indefinitely

Question 13

Name three subsidiary motions that the motion to amend yields to when applied to a main motion.

Answer 13

1. Lay on the Table
2. Previous Question
3. Limit or Extend Limits of Debate
4. Postpone to a certain time
5. Refer to a committee

Question 14

Your question has three parts:

1. Can the subsidiary motion to amend be applied to itself?
2. What is the name of the resulting amendment?
3. Can a secondary amendment be amended?

Answer 14

1. Yes
2. Secondary Amendment
3. No

Question 15

Name two privileged motions that can be amended.

Answer 15

1. Fix the time to which to adjourn
2. Recess

Question 16

Name three privileged motions that can not be amended.

Answer 16

1. Adjourn
2. Raise a question of privilege
3. Call for the orders of the day

Question 17

Name three processes of amendment.

Answer 17

1. Insert or to add.
2. Strike Out
3. Strike out and insert and to substitute

Question 18

An amendment must be germane to be in order. What does this mean?

Answer 18

An amendment must in some way involve the same question that is raised by the motion to which it is applied.

Question 19

If a presiding officer cannot determine the germaneness of an amendment, what should he/she do?

Answer 19

Refer the decision to the assembly

Question 20

Name three types of amendments that are not in order.

Answer 20

1. It is not germane to the question to be amended.
2. Proposes to change an amendment form to another form.
3. Converts one parliamentary form to another.
4. Strikes out the word “Resolved” or other enacting words.
5. Is frivolous or absurd.
6. Leaves incoherant wording

Question 21

Does an amendment require a second?

Answer 21

Yes

Question 22

Is an amendment debatable.

Answer 22

Yes when applied to a debatable motion

Question 23

What vote is required to adopt the motion to amend?

Answer 23

Majority

Question 24

Your question has two parts?

1. Assume you are the chairman at a meeting and a member moves to amend a secondary amendment. What ruling would you make?
2. Explain your answer.

Answer 24

1. The chair would rule the amendment to the secondary amendment out of order.
2. A secondary amendment cannot be amended, because an amendment to the third degree is not permitted

Question 25

Your question has two parts:

1. Assume you are the chairman at a meeting and a member concludes her debate on a Main Motion by making an amendment and it is seconded by another member. What action would you take?
2. Explain the reason for your action.

Answer 25

1. The chair would open the amendment to debate. It would be handled under the same rules as any amendment.
2. A member may debate a Main Motion and conclude by offering a secondary motion (subsidiary, privileged, and incidental motions are all classified as secondary motions).