Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Alberta

Conduct Of A Business Meeting

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1. All business of the Chapter must be in RA. except conferring of Degrees

Presiding Officer is referred to by Title.
Address each other through Chair.
The Chair calls the Order of Business.
Ex. Z. has ultimate authority (much more than the Chairman of a business meeting).
When addressing a Companion it should be by Title.
When you get up to speak, - Stand - Salute - Speak
It is out of Order to rise or stand when another person has the floor.
Keep discussion short so meeting does not drag.
Only the Ex. Z. should call for “the question.”.
Do not hold private conversations.
Notice of Meeting shall be in members hands seven (7) days before the meeting (except emergency). Must be sent letter mail or delivered to each Member in a sealed envelope.
No Companion shall disclose outside Chapter any proceedings to anyone not a Mason.

2. ORDER

At the will of Ex. Z..
Itemized in Chapter by laws.
No new business after 11:00 P.M. (usually in Chapter by laws).
A meeting cannot be adjourned to another day (Section 375).

3. THE MOTION

Should be clear and to the point.
May be prefaced by a few words of explanation.
Can be clarified by the Ex. Z..
Person presenting Motion makes the Motion, resumes his seat and waits for the second.
Person making the motion has first and last right to speak.

4. THE SECOND

Rise and state “Ex. Z. I Second the Motion”.
Only implies that the Motion should come before the Meeting and not that you agree with the Motion.
A Motion made by Direction of a Board or Committee of more than 1 person requires no second from the floor since its introduction is directed by a majority of the vote within the Board.

5. AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION

Only in Order if it pertains to the Motion.
May modify but not radically alter or contradict the Motion.
Motions may be amended by - Adding certain words, deleting certain words; and substituting or adding others.
Amendment must be seconded.
Vote is taken first on the Amendment; then the Amended Motion (Majority Vote required). No more than two Amendments to a Motion allowed.

6. DISCUSSION

Presiding Officer restates Motion and asks “Are there any remarks”?
Maker of the Motion is entitled to speak first.
No one may speak a second time on the same Motion if another member desires to speak.
Ex. Z.. may close debate by asking mover to make the last remarks.
After which no one can discuss.

7 . THE VOTE

A majority vote is required (50% + 1) unless otherwise indicated in the Constitution or By-Laws.
The Ex. Z. may vote or abstain.????
In the event Ex. Z. has abstained he shall not subsequently vote to break a tie.
In the event of a tie vote Ex. Z.. declares Motion lost.

8. NOTICE OF MOTION

Can be general or specific. Given without any discussion
Must be given in writing to Scribe E. .
Must be in Summons of next regular meeting.
Must be seconded (this could be at meeting).
Used mostly to alter by laws/constitution.

SUMMARY

No one comes to a Chapter meeting to hear a long drawn out business meeting. If there is no Degree work, time is far more productively used in presenting Education or at the Festive Board.