dent to put a
motion by saying "Will those in favor of the motion say aye," and later,
"Will those opposed say no." Then she judges which of the two classes is
most numerous. If she cannot decide, she may ask to have the vote
repeated by raising the hand or by rising, in which case she puts the
motion as before, asking those who favor the motion to raise the right
hand or to rise. After having the Secretary or tellers count them, she
asks those opposed to do the same and has them counted. In case the
vote is taken by voice and a member differs from the President's
decision as to which side prevailed, she may request a rising vote. In
case of every vote the President should declare the result by saying
either "the motion is carried," or "the motion is lost." The President
herself does not vote, except when the number of the ayes and that of
the noes are even, when she casts the deciding vote. If the vote is by
ballot, tellers are appointed who distribute slips of paper upon which
the members write yes or no, and the ballots are counted by the
Secretary or the tellers, and the result is handed in writing to the
President who reads it aloud and declares the result. In voting for new
members some clubs use a box with white balls for the affirmative and
black balls for the negative. After being placed in the box, these are
counted by the Secretary and the result is declared by the President as
before.
IV--THE PRESIDENT
At every meeting the President shall have before her a written outline
of the business to be considered.
It should be understood that the function of the presiding officer is
simply to keep the meeting going in an orderly way. She cannot make
motions, and ought not to make remarks on any motion. If she desires to
do so, she should call upon some one else to preside temporarily.
V--MOTIONS
The only proper way to carry on business is to "have a motion before the
house." No subject can be discussed unless two persons agree to bring it
up, one making the motion and the other seconding it. After that the
President calls for remarks and "gives the floor" to one person, calling
her name. While she "has the floor" she is the only person entitled to
speak. Interruptions, remarks or questions are out of order, unless with
the speaker's permission, which should be asked for only through the
President. Much disorder is caused by two or more persons trying to
speak at the same time, and it is the duty of the
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