Formalizing a Minor Amendment Process (retry)
 

TalkBoard continues to need to deal with minor amendments despite members' best efforts. Here's a slightly modified version of the proposal which failed 5-3 last time. If there's a way to improve this version I'd like to know that quickly so we can potentially conduct the vote at the same time as the other vote which is starting.


The TalkBoard Guidelines shall be revised as follows:

Add item 4.B.v.
v. Any TalkBoard member may propose a minor amendment to a motion by posting the text in the private TalkBoard forum and in the public TalkBoard Topics forum more than 48 hours from the vote closing time and before enough yes or no votes have been cast to assure passage or failure of the motion. If the originator of a motion, the seconder, and all Yes voters as of the time the amendment was proposed agree that the amendment is both minor and desirable, the TalkBoard President shall revise the motion and ensure that public notices of the motion are also updated. For the purpose of this paragraph, a minor amendment is a change which does not alter the overall intent of the motion nor raise any new issues for consideration which would otherwise warrant the submission of a new motion.

Modify item 4.C.v.
v. Once a TalkBoard member registers a selection that selection is final, except that a member voting No or Abstain may change that vote within 48 hours after a motion has been modified by minor amendment. The TalkBoard President shall manually adjust the original vote count as necessary. If the possibility of changed votes exists due to a proposed minor amendment, the TalkBoard President shall decide whether to defer public announcement of a "shall not pass" outcome until the end of the 48-hour period after the motion is modified.

Add item 4.D.v. and move current item 4.D.v. to become 4.D.vi.
v. When a minor amendment is approved, the TalkBoard President shall instruct the TalkBoard Vice President/Secretary to post the text of the change and a list of the approving TalkBoard members in the public TalkBoard Topics thread announcing the vote.

vi. Once voting is completed and the TalkBoard President has formally announced the results of the vote in the TalkBoard forum the Vice President/Secretary shall announce the full results of the roll call vote in
a. the public TalkBoard Topics thread announcing the vote
b. a new thread in the Town Hall forum.

Revision to clarify how and when amendments will be presented and approved:

The TalkBoard Guidelines shall be revised as follows:

Add item 4.B.v.
v. Any TalkBoard member may propose a minor amendment to a motion by posting the text in the voting thread in the private TalkBoard forum and in the public TalkBoard Topics forum more than 48 hours from the vote closing time and before enough yes or no votes have been cast to assure passage or failure of the motion. If the originator of a motion, the seconder, and all Yes voters as of the time the amendment was proposed post in the voting thread their agreement that the amendment is both minor and desirable, and if this occurs at least 48 hours from the vote closing time, the TalkBoard President shall revise the motion and ensure that public notices of the motion are also updated. For the purpose of this paragraph, a minor amendment is a change which does not alter the overall intent of the motion nor raise any new issues for consideration which would otherwise warrant the submission of a new motion.

Modify item 4.C.v.
v. Once a TalkBoard member registers a selection that selection is final, except that a member voting No or Abstain may change that vote within 48 hours after a motion has been modified by minor amendment. The TalkBoard President shall manually adjust the original vote count as necessary. If the possibility of changed votes exists due to a proposed minor amendment, the TalkBoard President shall decide whether to defer public announcement of a "shall not pass" outcome.

Add item 4.D.v. and move current item 4.D.v. to become 4.D.vi.
v. When a minor amendment is approved, the TalkBoard President shall instruct the TalkBoard Vice President/Secretary to post the text of the change and a list of the approving TalkBoard members in the public TalkBoard Topics thread announcing the vote.

vi. Once voting is completed and the TalkBoard President has formally announced the results of the vote in the TalkBoard forum the Vice President/Secretary shall announce the full results of the roll call vote in
a. the public TalkBoard Topics thread announcing the vote
b. a new thread in the Town Hall forum.

Why don't the TB supporters of this call it what it is; i.e., a "technical amendment" process. "Formalizing a Friendly Amendment Process" sounds like a kumbaya procedure amongst the TB, which is not accurate. The amendments are neither friendly nor hostile. They should only be technical (to clarify a drafting error or correct an impracticality in execution, etc.).

The term "friendly amendment" is used by some groups that do real live meetings. It applies to a proposal to amend a motion that has been moved and seconded, where typically the mover and seconder must approve the amendment. Presumably something that doesn't constitute a modification preserving the intent of the motion would be considered to be out of order. Usually this must be done during the discussion of the motion and before the question has been called to force a vote on the original motion.

You're right. I mistitled the thread. The motion refers only to "minor amendment".

So now we have a second attempt to do something which afaic is not needed as if TB members did their job properly and carefully (n.b. properly and carefully) a good/properly worded motion would not need a "friendly amendment". TB should take the time to hear the public and private comments and get it right as opposed to fixing a mistake that should have been thought about in the first place. I'd rather have a motion voted down or withdrawn if it has "issues", re-worded and put forth again in a better form as opposed to saying "oopsie", we made a mistake and don't want to look bad. Take the time (n.b. take the time) and do it right!

And we shouldn't have seat belts in cars either, since we just ought to do a better job of driving.

I am bowing to a reality that I know from years on TalkBoard.

What pray tell does that have to do with wording a motion properly and getting it right BEFORE putting it out for public comment? :confused: Unless you're saying "I'm sorry for rear-ending you-I see you got hurt because you were not wearing your seatbelt but if you put on your seatbelt, it's all good?" :rolleyes:

The most recent error was committed by me......and I take full responsibility for it — no excuses.

If TB is going to draft motions in the private forum, then they really should be read, reviewed, and if necessary, revised before they are officially motioned and seconded.

This ^

The President of Talkboard seems to feel he has the power to make minor changes to motions anyway. Is this needed at all?

Arguably not needed, but nice to have. Just like you can use duct tape instead of a seat belt, but the seat belt is so much easier and works better.

Common sense says things like typos shouldn't need an amendment process but should just be corrected if it's something as simple as a typo.

Cheers.

I don't see why the TB president shouldn't make minor changes that do not affect the intention of the motion - such as fixing typos - besides if anyone thinks the TB President as abusing their position they can complain to the Community Director.

Personally I can't really see the point of this. Common sense dictates that typos need to be fixed and that fixing them doesn't change the motion. And if a motion is badly written/wrong it should be withdrawn or voted down. Maybe what is needed is a way of rejecting motions which haven't been properly written?