Topic Requests

Topic Requests bring new or old business before the meeting. They are the part of the meeting where the items of the order of business or the agenda are decided. Unlike in Robert's Rules, there is not always a "main motion" under consideration. When Agenda Discussion procedures are in effect, the agenda itself is the topic when there isn't another topic.

It is not necessary to make a request to move the meeting on to the next agenda item. Unless a member makes a request between agenda items, the presumed next action upon completion of each item is to move on to the next one. The meeting chair is authorized to just move the meeting along at that point.

The Primary Topic

The primary topic is where items from the order of business or agenda are handled. It isn't started by a request, at least not directly.

• It does not allow discussion or amendments under Agenda Discussion procedures. However, it enters Consensus Building procedures which always include discussion and changes.
• It may be reconsidered with a supermajority at least equal to the approval level found under Consensus Building procedures.

Amendments to the agenda add each topic and then they are considered in order according to the agenda. Amendments may be made while the item is still on the agenda.

At each agenda item, the discussion enters into a consensus building discussion about that topic. For the simplest cases, consensus may exist upon entry to this discussion mode. In such cases it is only necessary to find no objections to the result and record it in the meeting chat.

When a subject begins with any opposition, then the meeting must enter the full consensus building discussion mode to consider alternatives until one is found that everyone can live with.

Upon the conclusion of the consensus building discussion for the agenda item, the meeting returns to agenda discussion mode, even if only briefly. There is a momentary opportunity to amend the agenda or make other agenda requests before the meeting proceeds to the next item on the agenda.

Election/Nomination

For cases where the meeting body elects or nominates an individual for a position or role, it is only necessary to hold a vote. The meeting does not enter Consensus Building procedures to make this kind of decision.

• Discussion is allowed.
• It may not be reconsidered or amended.
• A simple majority vote decides.

If nominations are taken from the meeting body during the discussion, then the nominations must be seconded (except for meetings where the attendees represent constituencies.) The nominee must accept in order for the nomination to be valid.

Simple Approval

For agenda items where consensus already exists, it is not necessary for the meeting to enter Consensus Building procedures to decide it. Also, for any topics where the meeting body's standing rules allow deciding an issue by a vote, then the meeting proceeds directly to the vote rather than entering Consensus Building procedures.

• Discussion is allowed.
• It may be reconsidered or amended with the same threshold of approval as before.
• When used in lieu of Consensus Building procedures, the vote must be unanimous.
• A simple majority vote decides, except when the standing rules specify a higher threshold.

When a simple approval is used in lieu of Consensus Building procedures, if the item is reconsidered and the decision is not unanimous, it must enter Consensus Building procedures.

Request to Reconsider

The Request to Reconsider asks the group to bring a prior topic up for discussion again from the same meeting.

• The request must be seconded, unless the attendees at the meeting represent constituencies.
• Discussion is allowed.
• It may not be amended or reconsidered.
• Topics that were decided by Consensus Building may be reconsidered only by unanimous vote.
• For other topics, a simple majority vote decides.

The Agenda Discussion procedures say that some requests may be reconsidered. For requests under Agenda Discussion procedures, a simple majority vote decides whether to reconsider. For topics that were decided under Consensus Building procedures, the threshold to re-open and reconsider the matter must be a supermajority at least equal to the support the item had under Consensus Building procedures.

Once a topic has been through a Consensus Building discussion, even if a decision was not completed, the result of that discussion sets a high bar to make changes to or cancel it. Therefore a Request to Reconsider must have a compelling reason and unanimous support. A call for any objections by the meeting chair is an acceptable means to determine unanimity.

If an item which was decided by simple approval in lieu of Consensus Building is reconsidered and is no longer unanimous, it must enter Consensus Building procedures. It may be postponed to a later time on the agenda or to another meeting.

Other requests which are reconsidered are handled again under Agenda Discussion procedures.

The meeting chair is authorized to decline a request to reconsider without a vote if it appears in his/her judgement to be purely for grandstanding or causing a disturbance.

Request to Cancel

The Request to Cancel asks the group to cancel or rescind a previous decision.

• The request must be seconded, unless the attendees at the meeting represent constituencies.
• Discussion is allowed.
• It may not be amended or reconsidered.
• Topics that were decided by or have entered Consensus Building may be cancelled only by unanimous vote.
• For other topics, a simple majority vote decides.

When requesting to cancel a group decision that was reached under Agenda Discussion procedures, a simple majority vote is required.

Like with requests to reconsider, this should mainly be used for administration of agenda items, not to cancel the result of a consensus building discussion.

Before a topic has been discussed, it may be simply removed from the agenda with a Request to Delete.

Once a topic has been through a Consensus Building discussion, even if a decision was not completed, the result of that discussion sets a high bar to make changes to or cancel it. Therefore a Request to Cancel must have a compelling reason and unanimous support. A call for any objections by the meeting chair is an acceptable means to determine unanimity.

Request to Resume

The Request to Resume asks the group to resume a previously-delayed item.

• The request must be seconded, unless the attendees at the meeting represent constituencies.
• Discussion is not allowed.
• A simple majority vote decides.

If a primary topic is resumed, the meeting returns to Consensus Building procedures.