Here are the details: We had a quorum with 39 members present. The vote was by secret ballot, with 25 in favor and 14 opposed. Since it needed a two-thirds vote for adoption, it was defeated. The "yes" people immediately passed a motion (by simple majority vote) that the vote on the constitution be re-voted on again at the next meeting. Can they do that? What will keep them from doing this at every meeting until they get the right group of people present to pass it? - Melanie, Jan. 22, 2000

A: They don't need to adopt a motion to take a vote at the next meeting. All they need do is move to amend the constitution at any meeting for which proper previous notice has been given (assuming that amendments to the constitution are eligible to be considered at any meeting).

Nothing prevents a defeated motion from being renewed at a later session, and nothing prevents and adopted motion from being rescinded at a later session. This allows the organization to correct mistakes it has made.

If you wish to prevent the adoption of the amendment, your best hope will be through persuasion, before the meetings and during debate.