RESTORATORY  MOTIONS

 

 

George Demeter uses the expression , Restoratory Motions , to refer to the following six Motions :

 

Reconsider  ( S , D , M  )

Reconsider and Enter  (S )

Rescind  ( S , D , A ,  2/3 ,  R )

Expunge ( S , D , A ,  2/3 , R )

Ratify ( S , D ,  A , M , R )

Take From The Table  ( S , M )

 

Demeter “ confidently adopts “ this nomenclature  “ as a fitting and appropriate designation “ for these Motions , as opposed to other references  to them as  “ unclassified “ ,” miscellaneous “ , “certain other “,  “ specific “ , “etc “.

 

Demeter freely gives permission for the universal usage of this designation.

 

RONR , 10th Edition , lists the following Motions under the heading  , Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly :

 

Take From the Table

Rescind : Amend Something Previously Adopted

Discharge A Committee

Reconsider

 

RONR explicitly expands the name , Rescind , vis-à-vis Demeter , in its listing , but this may not be actually significant , and does not include Expunge and Ratify in its grouping , Motions That Bring a Question Again…

 

THE STANDARD CODE  uses the name , Restorative Main Motions , under which are listed :

 

Amend a Previous Action

Ratify

Reconsider

Rescind

Resume Consideration ( Take From The Table )

 

           

LOCHRIE , where items in Demeter’s list ,or other lists of a similar nature , are discussed , does not use any special group name , and regards them as Main Motions.

 

 

 

 

 

For Demeter , the argument for nomenclature distinction for his list , is as follows :

 

(1)   these Motions “ automatically restore before the body for further action  “ such relevant Main Motions which had previously been decided by vote , and

 

(2)   the Motions to Reconsider , Rescind and Ratify  “ some act already executed

automatically restore, or open, the merits of the main motion to further debate “.

 

 

RONR , additionally , adds that these Motions permit revisiting “  a completed question during the same session or to take up one that has been temporarily disposed of  or to change something previously adopted and still in force “. RONR  p72, 12-14.

 

Considering a completed question in the same session or meeting is an important modification of a general Parliamentary principle that a completed question may not be visited in the same session or meeting , but the intrinsic nature of the Motions performing these functions remain the same.

 

Restoratory Motions , Restorative Motions , Motions That Bring a Question Again Before The Assembly , are names of groupings which are descriptive of some limited applications of  function or utility .

 

As such , these listings and groupings are useful for instructive purposes.

 

However, in terms of logical assignment , none of these grouping names indicate a new or separate Genus or Class of Motions.

 

The Motions listed in these groups are still Main Motions.

 

 

 

John Sooran

 

October 03 ,2006