Assuming Motions
-- Paul McClintock, PRP
Parliamentarians know well the six steps to handling a motion (Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 10th ed., (RONR) p.31ff):
1. a member makes a motion,
2. another member seconds it,
3. the chair states it,
4. the members debate it,
5. the chair puts it to a vote, and
6. the chair announces the vote results.
Of course a second (step 2) isn't needed if the motion comes from a committee of more than one, nor do all motions require a second. And debate (step 4) may not always occur, or even be allowed. In decisions by unanimous consent the chair isn't really putting the matter to a direct vote (step 5), either. These exceptions we know, but can we also at times skip making a motion (step 1) in the first place?
RONR speaks of the chair assuming a motion on pages 52, 279, 286, 424, 490, 503, 507, and 591. "[W]here there seems to be no opposition…unanimous consent can be used either to…take action without even the formality of a motion…. [I]f no motion has been made…[the chair] must at least put the question, assuming such a motion" (RONR p.51, l.23 - p.52, l.16).
"If a member who has accepted an office…or other duty finds that he is unable to perform it" he can request in writing to be excused from the duty. "The chair, on reading or announcing the resignation, can assume a motion 'that the resignation be accepted.'" -- RONR p.279, l.10-16.
If a member makes a motion and later asks permission to modify the motion in a specified way, and someone objects, then the chair can "assume" the motion to amend that implements the modification (RONR p.286, l.6).
Preceding an election, the chair can assume a motion to determine the method of voting with various options as suggestions for filling a blank (RONR p.424, l.26).
When a board or committee report includes a recommendation but the reporting member does not make a motion to implement the recommendation, "the chair may sometimes expedite matters by assuming the motion--that is, stating the question on it without waiting for it to be made…." -- RONR p.490, l.5-8. See also RONR p.591, l.21.
If a motion and a pending amendment are referred to a committee, and the committee later reports that it recommends that the motion be postponed indefinitely (note that due to the higher ranking pending amendment, the committee's reporting member can't move to postpone indefinitely), then after the assembly votes on the amendment, the chair can assume the motion to postpone indefinitely (RONR p.503).
Similarly, if a motion and a pending amendment are referred to a committee, and the committee later reports a recommendation that a substitute be adopted, they can't move the substitute until the amendment is disposed of, so after the assembly votes on the amendment and the main motion is immediately pending, then the chair can assume the motion to substitute (RONR p.507).
These RONR examples suggest another valid use: an organization receives a request from a non-member, such as for use of facilities or benevolence, and there may be no voting member wishing to make a motion that the request be granted, not wishing to be recorded in the minutes as implicitly supporting the motion. In order to facilitate a formal rejection of the request by vote, the chair can assume the motion to grant the request.
Rules-prescribed motions (e.g., approval of minutes, election of officers) are also seemingly assumed. When no further new business is offered upon the call for it, the chair can both assume the motion to adjourn and the adoption of it (RONR p.233, l.11-18). Moral--never assume all motions must be explicitly made!
AIP Parliamentary Journal, April 2006