It's important to take another look at how to make a motion. The procedure is simple, but this step is so important to the success of what you want, it bears another look.

Timing is important. You don't want to make a motion at a time when members won't be receptive, nor do you want to propose action on something too far in the distance — or too late to be effective for your purposes. Once the timing is right, you're ready to make the motion.

You've asked someone to give you advice on your motion or even put it into writing and maybe made copies to have available for members. Next, at the appropriate time, you'll request the floor by rising and addressing the chair. Once you've been acknowledged, you should state your motion verbally by saying, “I move that [your motion happen].” An example might be, “I move that we spend $5,000 to start a scholarship fund for fraternity members who give a hundred hours of service to the community each year.”

Hopefully, you have other members in support of this idea, because you'll need someone to second the motion so that there can then be debate on it. The debate will be in accordance with whatever you've previously put in your group or organization bylaws. Your bylaws could make it possible to act on the motion at that meeting, but it's hoped your group will wait until the next meeting. You don't want members to feel that they did not get a chance to speak.

Putting It to Vote

People often miss something that's been said. Maybe they were chatting with a neighbor, or their mind was on their busy day and the errands they still need to do. For whatever reason, they just aren't always “there” when they need to be. So it's always a good idea for the chair to restate the motion before it's debated and again before the membership votes. That way, there can be no misunderstanding.

If you realize that the motion isn't worded as it should have been, as the maker of the motion you may ask the chair to let you amend it before it goes to debate. During debate, the membership can also make a motion to amend your motion (and this will require a second and a vote).

Once it is time to vote, the membership can vote on whether they want a majority to decide whether the motion passes or fails, or if they prefer a two-thirds vote for it to pass.

If at First You Don't Succeed…

Uh-oh. The chair has just said, “As there is no second, the motion is not before the meeting.” Sad to say, no matter how much you prepared, or thought you had a finger on the pulse of what your group or organization needs, no one wanted to second your motion. Or, perhaps worse, the membership has voted against your motion.

There can, of course, be as many reasons for its failure as there are members. But in any case, it just didn't “go.” What should you do? Be gracious. Subside. Don't argue or attempt to persuade or bring up the matter again at that meeting. Definitely don't glower at others — even those who might have indicated beforehand that they'd support you if you stuck your neck out with such a motion!

Remember that while you can't reintroduce the motion at that meeting, there is always the next meeting. Maybe by that time others will realize that your motion was a good one and be more amenable. Or you may just have to bide your time until some point in the future. After all, timing is everything. As a wise person once said, “A rejection is just a rejection of that particular thing by that particular person or group at that particular time. Next time might be the right time!” If you believe in what you proposed, don't be discouraged. Learn from the experience and move on.