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Arrangement of Business

This, in associations, is usually provided for in the by-laws. If not otherwise provided for, it is as follows: 1. Reading the minutes: 2. Reports of standing com- • mittees; 3. Reports of special committees; 4. Special orders; 5. Unfinished business; 6. New business. The election of new members, unless otherwise ordered, is always in order; and the election of officers ranks as a special order; but an election of members is not in order while other business is pending, or while a member has the floor.

ORDERS.

There is only one case where a member has a right to insist on anything, and that is where he calls for the execution of an existing order. No debate nor delay can be had on it; but where it is for an order of the day, fixing some particular business to be taken up, then the president, on call of a member, puts the question whether the association will proceed to the order of the day. If it is decided in the negative, that is, in effect, a reversal of the former order, and the association decides to proceed to other business, COMMITTEES.

1. Standing committees are appointed under the constitution or by-laws of the association, or by resolution, and sit permanently, while special committees are usually appointed by resolution to attend to some particular business, which being done, they are usually discharged.

2. The first named person acts as chairman of any committee. It is true that the committee possesses the inherent power to choose its own chairman; but custom prevents this power from being used. Should a committee select some other than the first named as chairman, it would be considered a wanton insult. 3. It is always proper to place the mover of a successful motion on any committee arising through his resolution, and to name him first; but if the committee is upon an inquiry into his conduct, or where its deliberation concerns himself personally, or his manifest interest, the rule is not followed.

4. As near as they will apply, the rules of order of the main body govern the deliberations of committees.

5. A committee to whom a resolution or affirmative proposition is committed should always have a majority of members, if they can be had, favorable to such resolution or proposition.

6. Unless otherwise ordered, the chair appoints all committees.

7. When there is a standing committee on any subject, anything referring to such subject should be referred to that committee alone; but it may be given to a special committee, if the association think proper.

8. Standing committees require no order to report. They are always in session, and should report at every meeting, if only to report progress. do.

9. A committee cannot sit while the main body is in session, unless so ordered to

10. A majority of a committee must concur in a report; but the minority are never refused leave to bring in a counter report.

11. Sometimes a majority cannot be found, when the committee should report the fact of their disagreement, and ask leave to be discharged: they are then to be discharged, and either a new committee raised, or the subject brought before a committee of the whole, or before the main body.

12. Persons appointed upon a committee should join that committee so soon as they are notified of their appointment, unless they are excused; as it is the duty of the first named members of the committee to call his fellows together as soon as possible.