March 8, 2003
To the Citizens of Deering:
The following are the rules of procedure that we will use for the Town Meeting scheduled for March 15, 2003. In substance, these are similar to those we have used for past meetings.
I look forward to seeing you next Saturday.
John A. Lassey
Moderator
RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR DEERING TOWN MEETING
John A. Lassey, Moderator March 15, 2003
1. Rules for Debate
a. Only registered voters may speak unless a majority of the voters present decide otherwise.
b. Those wishing to be recognized should raise their hands or stand. Once the Moderator recognizes you, please state your full name.
c. Only one person the one recognized by the Moderator may speak at any one time.
d. All speakers are expected to direct the debate to the Moderator, and no conversations directed to others on the floor will be allowed.
e. When you have the floor to speak, you should address the issue under consideration or you may be ruled out of order.
f. Any voter may question a procedural ruling by the Moderator by asking to appeal the ruling to the body as a whole. A simple majority is required to overrule the Moderator.
g. Questions about the process are encouraged, as it may often seem confusing, but everyone should remember that debate leading to decision is the primary purpose of the meeting.
2. Voting on Articles
a. The Moderator will not accept motions to “call the question” until, in his judgment, all have had a fair opportunity to express their views.
b. The Moderator will not accept motions to “pass over”, “table” or “indefinitely postpone” an article. If citizens want to dispose of an article, they should simply vote the article down. This prevents the confusion of people having to vote positively to dispose of an article.
c. Only one reconsideration of an article will be recognized.
d. Seven voters are required to question the ruling of the Moderator on the outcome of a vote. If a voice vote is questioned, we will then have a show of cards, unless the seven voters request a secret ballot vote. If a show of cards is questioned, we will then go to a secret ballot. This must happen before any other business occurs.
3. Amendments
a. Motions to amend an article must be in writing.
b. The Moderator will allow consideration of no more than one amendment at a time. I.e., no motions to amend a motion to amend.
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