Legal Definitions - quasi committee of the whole

A "quasi committee of the whole" refers to a procedural arrangement where a large deliberative body, such as a legislative assembly, a board, or a council, temporarily adopts some of the informal rules and relaxed procedures typically associated with a formal "committee of the whole."

While not formally constituting itself as a committee of the whole under strict parliamentary rules, the group operates with a similar intent: to facilitate more open discussion, detailed debate, and easier amendment of proposals, often before a final, formal vote is taken by the full body. This allows for a more flexible and less rigid environment for deliberation, encouraging broader participation and exploration of ideas.

Here are some examples:

• City Council Budget Workshop: Imagine a city council that needs to approve a complex annual budget. Instead of debating every line item under their usual strict council rules (which might limit speaking time or require formal motions for every small change), they decide to hold a special "budget workshop." During this workshop, all council members are present, but they agree to relax formal rules. Members can speak multiple times on the same topic, engage in more direct back-and-forth discussion, and propose changes informally without requiring a second or immediate vote. The mayor might even step down from the chair to allow another council member to facilitate, similar to a committee chair. No formal votes are taken during this workshop; instead, the goal is to build consensus on a revised budget draft. After the workshop, they revert to formal council rules to vote on the agreed-upon budget.

  This workshop functions as a quasi committee of the whole because it involves the entire council, relaxes formal rules for detailed discussion and amendment, and aims to prepare a proposal for a later formal vote, without formally declaring itself a "Committee of the Whole" under their city charter or rules of procedure.

• Professional Association Policy Discussion: A large professional association is holding its annual general meeting, and a contentious new policy proposal needs thorough discussion before a final vote by all members. The association's president suggests that before the formal voting session, they dedicate an hour to an "open forum" or "discussion session" on the policy. During this session, all attending members can freely voice opinions, ask questions, and suggest modifications without needing to follow strict parliamentary procedure for motions, seconds, or time limits on speeches. The goal is to air all viewpoints and refine the proposal based on feedback. After this informal discussion, the meeting resumes its formal structure for a binding vote.

  This "open forum" acts as a quasi committee of the whole because it includes all members, temporarily suspends strict procedural rules to allow for more extensive and informal debate on a specific issue, and aims to inform a subsequent formal decision, without formally transforming the entire meeting into a committee.

• Corporate Board of Directors Strategy Retreat: A company's board of directors needs to discuss a major strategic shift that involves many complex interdependencies. Instead of debating this during a formal board meeting with strict agendas and voting procedures, the board schedules a "strategic retreat" or "brainstorming session." All board members are present, but the atmosphere is deliberately informal. The CEO or a designated facilitator encourages open dialogue, allows members to interrupt for clarification, and permits extensive back-and-forth discussion on various options and their implications, without requiring formal motions or votes on every point. The objective is to explore all angles and reach a general consensus on a strategic direction, which will then be formalized and voted upon at a subsequent official board meeting.

  This retreat functions as a quasi committee of the whole because it brings together the entire decision-making body (the board), relaxes the usual formal meeting rules to enable deeper, more flexible discussion and idea generation, and prepares the ground for a formal decision later, without formally declaring itself a committee.