&Questions Answers

5 . Customs also “fall to the ground” if they conflict with a rule and a point of order is raised to cite the conflict . RONR (12th ed .) 2:25 .

It is difficult to make a sweeping generalization about the use of the two terms . More often than not, it seems that it is a subject that dies, and a motion that falls to the ground . It might also be persuasive to consider the earlier work of Robert’s Rules of Order:

1 . “After the business has been taken care of, it should be moved to ‘take from the table’ the motion that was laid aside and seconded . This should be done at the same session or the very next meeting—otherwise it lapses and the motion is dead [emphasis ours] . ” Robert’s Rules of Order, with a Modern Guide and Commentary by Rachel Vixman and introduction by Floyd M . Riddick, Jove Publications, New York, 1967, p . 137 .

2 . “… in a body elected for a definite time (as a board of directors elected for one year), unfinished business shall fall to the ground [emphasis ours] with the expiration of the term for which the board or any portion of them were elected . ” Ibid, p . 34 .

Practically speaking, in an ordinary deliberative assembly the two terms may be used interchangeably, with the above caveats .

QQuESTION:

A motion was made to hold the annual meeting at our club’s headquarters in January. Debate ensued and an amendment was offered to hold change the place to the district offices in Hawaii and the month to June. During debate on the amendment, a member notices that the club’s bylaws prohibit holding meetings in January, February, and March, and raises a Point of Order. The chair declares the Point of Order well taken and rules the main motion out of order, which causes the amendment to fall to the ground along with the main motion.

Was this correct? Shouldn’t the chair have waited to see if the substitute amendment was adopted or lost before ruling on the Point of Order?

ANSWER:

The main motion when originally moved was an improper motion, since it would conflict with the bylaws of the club regarding the month of the meeting, and should have been ruled out of order by