It might seem like a strange term, this call for orders of the day. You might be thinking you're going to be subjected to some regimented, military-style routine, and while Robert was an Army man, this isn't what the term means.

An agenda or order of business is used to conduct business at a meeting. Both of these items help the membership to use an ordered outline of the business topics that will be discussed and acted upon. There may be special times set for discussion of certain motions or for voting.

Getting Sidetracked

Even the best-run meetings (and the best people running them) can get sidetracked or start to run long. Members start checking their watches, looking concerned. After all, it's 9 A.M. and the vote on buying that new equipment was scheduled for 8:30. Everyone has a busy day ahead of them and there's longwinded Mr. Sanders going on and on and no one seems willing to do anything. After all, he's the boss's brother…but at this rate, it'll be lunchtime before anyone gets back to the office.

Time to Make the Call

This is the perfect time to use this privileged motion. All it takes is one member who will rise and call for the orders of the day — a request that the matter that was scheduled be conducted. It's the right thing to do. After all, there was a reason for setting a time for whatever the matter is to be discussed and acted on, and members may have come to the meeting for that reason alone. They shouldn't have to leave because it's looking like it's not going to be brought up. If they do leave, your quorum may go with them.

The Motion for the Call

If you've got a longwinded speaker, you'll need to be courteous to make your motion. Avoid the temptation to interrupt; hopefully, you have an observant chair who may be on the verge of moving things along. Rise and wait to be recognized, and then say, “I call for the orders of the day.”

This motion does not require a second. It can't be amended or debated. Now the chair must immediately proceed with the orders of the day.

If, however, the chair or a member feels it would be better to stay with the current discussion, then a vote should be taken to “set aside” the orders of the day.

A two-thirds vote (not a simple majority) decides whether the orders should be set aside (so the current discussion can go on) or the membership should proceed with the orders of the day. Chances are, if the order of the day was important enough to set a time to do it, the membership will want to take care of it.