At our April General Membership meeting, members raised several questions regarding Roberts Rules. The most challenging question was:
Is it true that the president can vote only to break a tie? According to official Roberts Rules website the answer is NO.
Please take a moment to review at robertsrules.com
“No, it is not true that the president can vote only to break a tie. If the president is a member of the voting body, he or she has exactly the same rights and privileges as all other members have, including the right to make motions, to speak in debate, and to vote on all questions.”
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It is this writers belief that the confusion surrounding this issue is that under our bylaws there is one circumstance were the president only votes in the case of a tie. In our Grievance Committee the “The President will vote only to break a tied vote.”
I’ll post section 28 of our bylaws below
Grievance Committee Rules and Responsibilities
1. . The Committee will meet at a separate meeting to consider the merits of the case.
2. The Executive Chief Steward or the President’s appointee will chair the Committee.
3. The meeting is confidential and is closed to all except committee members. (Representative and member will leave the room after presentation).
4. Committee members must be free to address any and all aspects of the case.
4. Discussion and all comments are to remain confidential and must not be discussed outside of the committee.
6. Voting must be by secret ballot.
7. The President will vote only to break a tied vote.
As you can see there is only one circumstance were the president’s voting rights are limited to a tie, the Grievance Committee.
I want to thank everyone for attending the April Meeting. I value the vigorous debate and increased turn out. I look forward to seeing you all at the next meeting.
This posting is my interpretation of the bylaws and Roberts Rules and does not constitute an official policy of AFGE Local 3943. –Gary Locken, Sgt at Arms, Steward and Webmaster.