GA Voting Session Explained

Who Can Vote

• Voting members include:• All nationally recognised projects• All branches• Priority campaigns• Non-priority campaigns share a vote

Providing they have all submitted an activity report prior to the SGA & all branches have paid their BAFs

The Voting Bit...

• In favour • (support)

• Against • (do not support)

• Abstain • (do not wish to vote or do not have strong

view)• Unfortunately it’s not that simple...

Components of a motion

• ALL MOTIONS MUST HAVE A PROPOSER AND A SECONDER

• If at any point there is one of these missing, the motion dies, unless a replacement is found

• The proposer can briefly present their motion to the plenary

• If you support a motion, you may second it.

What if I disagree with it?

• If you don’t support the motion in its current form, you are allowed to propose amendments.

• Amendments are slight changes to the wording or additions, they do NOT change the main meaning of the motion

• You may explain your amendment BRIEFLY

Amendments

• If there are amendments…

- Proposer needs to accept- Seconder needs to accept

3 things could happen here:

• 1st possibility: Proposer does not accept• The amendment is voted on….you can vote:

–For–Against–Abstain

• If for > against, the amendment is added• If against > for, the amendment is not added

3 possibilities

• 2nd possibility: Proposer accepts, seconder does not accept• Need to find new seconder• If found, amendment is added• If not, motion dies

• 3rd possibility: Both proposer & seconder accept amendment is added

3 things could happen here:

So we’ve either got an amendment or not... I still disagree with it!

• Chair asks for “direct negatives”

• What is a direct negative?• If you DO NOT support the motion• If you wish to see a formal vote rather than the motion

simply passing

No Direct Negative

• This slide is easy!• No direct negative = motion passes NEMO CONTRA

Direct negative: yes

• If you do not agree with the motion this is your last chance to make it known.

• Raise your voting card (a la voting procedures) and state that you have a direct negative.

So you have a direct negative

• A direct negative may be accompanied by an alternative motion which means that you propose a motion with a DIFFERENT meaning

• You have the chance to explain why you have a direct negative and explain your alternative motion if you have one

• Then what?

If there is no alternative motion• Vote on original• If you don’t want it – vote against• If you do want it – vote for• If you don’t wish to vote - abstain

If you do have an alternative motion• The alternative motion is introduced and a SHORT

discussion can be had• Find a seconder for the alternative motion• Vote between original and alternative motions• If you support the original – vote for the original• If you support the new motion – vote for the

alternative• If you don’t like either motion – vote against• If you don’t wish to vote - abstain

Point of Order

• If something is wrong with the procedure, raise your card and state Point of Order, wait for the chair to acknowledge you, and then state your point briefly

• Do not use this to express personal opinion

Point of Information

• If you have more information about the issue being discussed, raise your card and state, Point of Information.

• You can also use this to ask a question to the current speaker or the meeting

• Wait for the chair, and then give us the lowdown.

Let’s give it a go!

Motion 20

That this General Assembly mandates the Medsin National Committee to provide chocolate biscuits such as Jaffa cakes at every national Medsin event.

Proposed by: Medsin ImperialSeconded by: ?Rationale:

Medsin members get very hungry during the long voting sessions & have a fondness for sweet foods

Any Amendments?