Parliamentary Procedure Q&A

Q: If a motion was made, seconded, and discussed in a board meeting but the question was never called and no vote was taken... then a second, different motion was made, seconded, discussed and passed by a unanimous vote...
  1. Is the first motion null and void after the meeting has been adjourned? (It was not tabled.)
  2. Is the second motion a valid motion and is it then in effect as passed or is it also null and void because the motion was made out of order (i.e., without having called the question and dispensing with the previous motion first)?
  3. Can the first motion be brought up at a future meeting for a vote without being moved from the floor again?
- M.C., Dec. 12, 1999

A:

  1. A Point of Order would have been in order when the second motion was made, but the timeliness requirement for making a POI expired certainly by the time the second motion was voted on. At that time, it's as if the first motion never existed. See RONR pp. 250-51.
  2. There having been no POI made, the second motion became valid.
  3. Again, it's as if the first motion never existed. If the subject of the motion is to be taken up at a future meeting, it must be made from scratch.

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