Recently, I’ve been tackling some common procedural myths—those phrases and practices you often encounter in meetings but aren’t necessarily accurate. If you’d like to explore some recent examples, check out these posts:
- Are You Handling Your Consent Calendar Right?
- There Is No “Next Order of Business”
- Banish the Phrase “I So Move” from Meetings
- Why the Chair Never Asks “Is There Any Old Business?” (HINT: Because There’s No Such Thing)
One phrase frequently heard in meetings, particularly board meetings, is: “Because the motion is from a committee, it doesn’t need a second.” But is this actually true? Let’s unpack it.
Setting the Record Straight
First, let’s address the stakes: Regardless of your approach, the parliamentary police won’t show up at your meeting. That said, a presiding officer demonstrates leadership by using proper parliamentary phrasing, which helps maintain professionalism and clarity.
To begin, we’re discussing formal procedures here—situations typically involving larger assemblies, such as annual meetings, conventions, or boards with more than 12 members present. For smaller boards and committees, parliamentary rules are generally less rigid. In fact, Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised includes a whole section on “Procedure in Small Boards” in Chapter 49, which notes that motions in small bodies don’t tend to require seconds. Much of my third book, Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track, is focused on informal procedures for committees and smaller boards. See also this article: Board Procedures Versus a Membership Meeting or Convention.
Formal Assemblies: Is a Second Needed from a Committee?
In larger or more formal settings, the phrase “a motion from a committee does not need a second” is technically wrong. Here’s why:
If a committee makes a recommendation to take action, the motion from the committee requires a second, just like other main motions. However, there’s an important nuance: If a motion comes from a committee with more than one member on the committee, the second is already there. For a motion to come FROM the committee, it must have been supported by multiple members of the committee. Therefore, the more accurate phrasing is that a committee recommendation “doesn’t require an additional second from the floor.”
When a committee presents its recommendation and the committee chair ends with “On behalf of the committee, I move . . . ,” the presiding officer can simply say:
“It is moved and seconded that…”
This phrasing acknowledges the committee’s endorsement without requiring further action. If clarity is a concern, the chair could also explain:
“Because the motion is from a committee, it already carries a second” [or, “is considered seconded.”]
This explanation helps participants understand the process without confusion.
By paying attention to proper phrasing, good chairs can eliminate misunderstandings and ensure smooth, efficient meetings. Clear communication fosters confidence in leadership and helps ensure everyone is on the same page.
Jim Slaughter is an attorney, Certified Professional Parliamentarian, Professional Registered Parliamentarian, and past President of the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers. He is author of four books on meeting procedure, including two updated for the latest Robert’s Rules: Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track and Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules, Fifth Edition. Both books have been selected as “Editor’s Picks” by Publisher’s Weekly. Many free charts and articles on Robert’s and meeting procedure can be found at www.jimslaughter.com.