Rules of Order
All of Local 111’s general membership meetings are governed by the Local’s Bylaws first, and then by Bourinot’s Rules of Order. (This is similar to Robert’s Rules of Order, however, Sir John George Bourinot was a Canadian journalist, historian, and civil servant who made the first effort to document Canadian Parliamentary Procedure and Practice.) The Unifor Harassment Policy is also in effect for every meeting.
Rules of Order were created to promote democratic dialogue and decision making. This page aims to make the Rules of Order simple and easy to understand. Please ensure you have reviewed Article 7 of the Local 111 Bylaws. You may also wish to review Unifor’s 11 Points for Meetings Guide.
Purpose
In order for a general membership meeting to be a positive and productive experience for all involved, Rules of Order are necessary to establish a fair and efficient process for getting things done. It is important to respect every member who takes the time out of their own day to attend a general meeting. Meetings must be inclusive and allow all members to participate in making collective decisions.
As per Article 7 of the Local 111 Bylaws, any member who attends a meeting under the influence of alcohol or drugs and/or creates a disturbance, or becomes unruly shall lose voice and their right to vote at said meeting. Where necessary to maintain order, the member may be evicted from the meeting by order of the Chair subject to the challenge of the membership. Flagrant or persistent violation of this section by any member shall be conduct unbecoming a union member.
Quorum
As per Local Bylaw 7.13, the required quorum for a general membership meeting to proceed is twenty-five (25) members.
Speaking Up
Members who wish to speak at a general membership meeting must always address the meeting’s Chair, not other members. It may be required that you go to a microphone whenever you wish to speak to ensure accessibility for all participants. The Chair must recognize you before you may begin speaking. Members should ensure that processes are followed by raising their hand, or lining up at the microphone, if present, and waiting to be recognized by the Chair. Please do not interrupt other members, speak out of line, or yell over another speaker. Members who have already spoken on a motion must give way to first-time speakers; try to avoid speaking on the same motion multiple times.
Moving
Before a new topic can be discussed at a general membership meeting, someone must make a motion. A member can do this by raising their hand, being recognized by the Chair, and then saying, “I move…”. Example: “I move adoption of the financial report.” A motion is required to adopt the agenda, spend money, request an action of the Local, accept reports, and more.
A Notice of Motion is when you submit your motion in advance of the meeting, and the substance of your motion is added to the agenda. As per the Local 111 Bylaws, all motions to be voted on at a general membership meeting must be submitted to and then posted by the recording secretary fourteen (14) days in advance of the meeting. New motions which are not already on the agenda will not be able to be voted on and will need to be brought to a future general meeting.
Seconding
A motion cannot be discussed until another member seconds it. After the first member says, “I move…”, a second member must then say, “I second the motion.” Only after this can discussion on the motion begin.
Calling the Question
If you think there has been enough discussion on the topic at hand, you may try to end the discussion by calling the question. You must raise your hand, wait to be recognized by the Chair, and then say, “I move to call the question.” This motion must be seconded, and then voted on. If the majority vote to call the question, then the Chair must ask members to vote on the original motion that was being discussed; no further discussion on that motion will be permitted. If the vote to call the question fails by not receiving a majority vote, then the original discussion may continue.
Voting
Voting at a general membership meeting is by a majority of votes cast, with the exception of bylaw amendments which must receive three-quarters (3/4) of votes cast.
Out of Order
Certain motions are not permissible at a general membership meeting, and can be ruled Out of Order. For example, Local 111’s bylaws prohibit the discussion of any religious matter under any pretext whatsoever. Any motion which goes against the Unifor Constitution or Local Bylaws would be Out of Order. Other examples of motions that may be Out of Order are those pertaining to things which Local 111 does not control, such as a motion to compel the employer to purchase a different brand of bus, or a motion to compel the city to have bylaw officers permanently stationed at all bus stops. A motion may also be Out of Order if it attempts to undo, reverse, or otherwise nullify a previous, valid and documented decision of the membership, such as retroactively attempting to modify an approved budget.
Local Bylaw 7.4
RULES OF ORDER
7.41 The President or in their absence, either Vice President or the Financial Secretary, shall take the chair at the hour specified in these Bylaws for the General Membership Meeting or a Special/Emergency Meeting. In the absence of said officials, a chairperson pro tem shall be chosen by the Local Union.
7.42 The President shall be privileged to debate upon all subjects by calling either Vice President or any member to the Chair.
7.43 No motion to amend the minutes shall be admissible, unless some error of fact is contained therein.
7.44 Members may first speak on a question and, without exception, must wait until all first speakers have concluded, then they may speak again – except the mover who may respond.
7.45 A majority vote shall decide all questions.
7.46 No amendment to a motion under consideration shall be admitted without the permission of the member who has the claim of legal right to said motion.
7.47 The vote shall be expressed by a show of hands, affirmative and/or negative as taken by the Sergeant-at-Arms / Guide.
7.51 CHALLENGING THE CHAIR
Any challenge to the Chair must be supported by at least one other member.
(a) The Chair steps aside.
(b) The former Chair speaks on the issue first.
(c) The Challenger speaks on the issue second.
(d) The former Chair responds to Challenger on the issue.
(e) Simple majority vote of the members shall decide the issue.
7.61 When a motion has been carried, any member voting with the majority may move for reconsideration thereof, but no discussion of the main question shall be allowed.
Relevant Documents
Bourinot’s Rules of Order at a Glance
Unifor’s 11 Points for Meetings