Legal Definitions - procedural main motion

A procedural main motion is a formal proposal brought before a group or assembly that introduces a new, substantive item of business related to the organization's internal rules, operations, or methods of conducting its affairs. Unlike other types of motions that might arise from or be dependent on existing business, a procedural main motion stands on its own and aims to establish, change, or clarify how the group itself functions.

• Example 1: Changing Meeting Frequency

  Scenario: The board of directors for a non-profit organization currently meets monthly. A board member believes that quarterly meetings would be more efficient and proposes, "I move that the board's regular meetings be held quarterly instead of monthly, effective next fiscal year."

  Explanation: This is a procedural main motion because it introduces a new, independent piece of business (changing the meeting schedule) that directly relates to the board's operational procedures. It's not dependent on any other pending motion and, if passed, would alter how the board conducts its regular business.

• Example 2: Adopting New Communication Guidelines

  Scenario: A community association is experiencing confusion regarding how official announcements are made and and how members can submit topics for discussion. A member proposes, "I move that the association adopt the proposed 'Member Communication Guidelines' document, outlining procedures for announcements and agenda submissions, as presented in our meeting packet."

  Explanation: This proposal is a procedural main motion because it introduces a new set of rules (the communication guidelines) that govern how the association operates and interacts with its members. It's a substantive item of new business focused entirely on the organization's internal procedures.

• Example 3: Establishing a New Committee for Rule Review

  Scenario: During a university faculty senate meeting, a professor observes that the existing bylaws haven't been reviewed in over a decade and proposes, "I move that a temporary ad hoc committee be formed to review and recommend updates to the Faculty Senate's bylaws, with a report due in six months."

  Explanation: This is a procedural main motion because it proposes the creation of a new body (the ad hoc committee) whose sole purpose is to address the senate's internal rules and procedures. It's a standalone proposal that, if adopted, would initiate a process to refine how the faculty senate governs itself.