Government
Meetings
1) Meetings must consist of 1/2 the clan officers and more than a 1/2 quorum of members OR more than 1/2 the clan officers and a 1/2 quorum of the members. Members failing to attend half the meetings held to date starting from Samhain become a Non-Quorum member and are thus not counted in figuring a quorum. Members in absentia may voluntarily surrender quorum status either temporarily or indefinitely.
2) Official clann business must be done at meetings, except where authorized elsewhere in the Laws. ref The Chieftain shall call the meeting to order and conduct the meeting adhering to the following format at the his / her discretion:
3) The Sencha shall record the minutes of the meeting. Anything said during the consideration of a probate's membership shall not be entered into the minutes as well as anything said during personal business.
4) The Fili shall record any new laws.
5) Members are expected to attend all TdB meetings. Advance written explanation is required for missing any meeting. Failure to provide explanation in advance must be explained at the next planning meeting. The Clann will asses a fine or sanction if they deem the excuse / explanation unacceptable.
6) All members must own a torc and wear it at meetings. Probates are prohibited from wearing torcs at meetings, but may wear a torc during non-meeting portions of events.
Voting and Motions
1) All clan members in good standing have the right to vote.
2) All members must have and give a reason for their voting decision.
3) Proxy votes are only permitted in unanimous requirement desicions, membership votes, and must be submitted in writing.
4) Unsubmitted proxies are counted as abstentions.
5) Any motion or law governing or requiring greater than a simple majority aproval requirement (i.e. 2/3, 3/4, unanimous, etc.) needs the strictest majority it goverens to enact or repeal. Exception: Punitive actions against members only require 2/3, not a unanimous majority.
6) All motions requiring a unanimous vote are tabled one meeting unless all voting members are present.
7) No vote is to be by secret ballot with the exception of clan membership, which is done openly amongst members but in the absence of all probates.
8) No law may be passed that would violate, change, cancel or alter a previous law without the previous law first being amended, repealed or re-worded to allow for the enactment of the new law.
9) Valid Motions
A member may "motion" for any valid proposal, and when seconded the discussion of which shall take the floor to the exclusion of all other business and motions till the matter on the floor is settled by vote, tabling, or withdrawal. The motion may be ammended on the fly without need of sub-motions to ammend. The chieftain will call for a vote in due course or when a motion to move the previous question suceeds.
10) Seconding a Motion
All motions require a second in order to be considered by the clan. To second, simply say "I second". A member can not second their own motion. Unsecconded motions die on the floor with no debate or discussion, leaving the floor open for other business.
11) Withdrawal of a Motion
A member may decide, for whatever reason, to withdraw a motion they made providing the person who seconded it does not object. Once withdrawn, it is as if the motion was never made and is not eligible for old business.
12) Objecting to the Withdrawal of a Motion
A member who has seconded a motion that the original mover wishes to withdraw may object to its withdrawal by saying "I object to the withdrawal" and thus keep the motion on the floor.
13) Motion to Table
A member may sub move a "motion to table". Upon a seconding and a successfull vote to table, the discussion will be postponed either to be revisited later in the same meeeting or becomes elligible for old bussiness at a future meeting.
14) Moving the Previous Question
A member may sub motion to "move the previous question" and when seconded a vote shall be called to decide weather to end debate and decided imediately or to continue debate on the motion.
15) Move for an Election
A member may call for an election of any clan offic, position, or administrative post etc. outside of Samhain elections if there is a perceived need. The motion to hold the election must be seconded, debated and pass like any other. If the office of chieftain is to be decided upon, the druid conducts the election, just as is done at Samhain.
16) Nominating a Candidate
A member may nominate a candidate for a particular post during an election by stateing "I nominate (member)". A member may nominate themself. Nominations do not require a second, however, seconds are customarily voiced as a sign of support.
17) Refusing a Nomination
If a member is nominated for a position that has obligations that they either are unwilling or unable to do. The nomination may be refused, custimarily so by saying "I respectfully decline the nomination". No second is needed.