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she states, "The Chair will entertain a motion that... "This custom is sound if the chair may vote <br />only in the case of a tie; if the chair may vote in all cases, he or she may make a motion as any <br />other member would. .~ . <br />Rule 9. Second Not Required <br />A motion does not require a second. <br />Comment: The philosophy underlying the requirement of a second is that if a proposal does not <br />have at least some minimum level of support, it is not worth the time necessary to consider it. In a <br />group of 100 persons, for example, requiting a second ensures that at least 2 percent of the group <br />wishes to consider the proposal. On afive-member board, on the other hand, a proposal supported <br />by one member already has the backing of 20 percent of the boazd membership. Since the board is <br />small, efficient use of [he board's time is not impaired by allowing consideration of a proposal <br />that initially has the support of only one member. If a board wishes to retain the requirement of a <br />second, however, it is free to do so. <br />This mle is consistent with the RONR concept that motions need not be seconded in meetings <br />of smaller groups (RONR § 48, p. 477). Moreover, even if a board uses seconds, RONR notes that <br />"after a debate bas begun or, if there is no debate, after any member has voted, the lack of a <br />second has become immaterial and it is too late to make a point of order that the motion has not <br />been seconded" (RONR § 4, p. 36). <br />Rule 10. One Motion at a Time <br />A member may make only one motion at a time. <br />Comment: None. <br />Rule 11. Substantive Motions <br />A substantive motion is out of order while another substantive motion is pending. <br />Comment:llus mle sets forth the basic principle of pazliamentary procedure that distinct issues <br />will be considered and dealt with one at a time, and a new proposal may not be put forth until <br />action on the preceding one has been concluded. <br />RONR does not refer to substantive motions as such; instead it refers to main or principal <br />motions. The words substantive motion are used here to underscore the distinction between this <br />type of motion and the various procedural motions listed in Rule 16. Basically, a substantive <br />motion is any motion othei than the procedural motions listed in Rule 16. A substantive motion <br />may deal with any subject within the boazd's legal powers, duties; and responsibilities. Indeed, <br />since Rule 8 provides that the board shall proceed by motion, the substantive motion is the only <br />way the board can act, unless it has adopted a special mle to deal with a particulaz situation. (See, <br />ifo{ example, the provisions of Rule 25 on appointments.) The procedural motions detailed in Rule <br />,° 16 set forth the various options the board has in disposing of substantive motions. <br />,~ _ <br />