Amend by Filling in the Blanks

CA Sigma Chi Sigma §12 P. 155-160

March 4, 2006

Amendments are limited to Primary and Secondary Amendments. Amend by Filling in

the Blanks is the only exception where more than 2 amendments can be pending.

When more than 2 suggestions (e.g., names, amounts, places, dates or numbers) are
potential amendments, a blank to be filled can be created. It can be created in 3 ways.
1. A member can offer the motion already containing a blank, or the amendment to
the main motion as a blank.
2. A member can move to create a blank by striking out a proposed amendment.
This then is the incidental motion to create a blank. It requires a second; is not
debatable; is not amendable; and Previous Question is not allowed.
3. The chair can suggest the creation of a blank (e.g., “The chair suggests creating
a blank by striking out ____. If there is no objection, a blank will be created.”)

Any number of members can each suggest (without a second) ONE different suggestion
for a blank. Each proposal can be debated and voted upon separately until a majority
adopts one.

Order of Presenting a Suggestion for a Vote:

• Filling a Blank with Names:

Vote in same order as suggested, until one name receives a majority.
o If 3 names are needed and 3 names are suggested, adopt by
unanimous consent.
o If 3 names needed but 5 are suggested, vote until 3 receive a
majority, and then stop.
o If no number is specified, vote on all that are suggested, accepting all
that receive a majority.
• Filling a Blank with Amounts of Money:
Vote on the one least likely to be accepted first.
o Voting to Spend Money:
Vote on the highest amount first (descending order).
o Voting to Receive Money:
Vote on the lowest amount first (ascending order).
• Filling a Blank with Places, Dates, or Numbers:
o Vote in same order as suggested, or
o Vote on the least probable to be acceptable or least popular, or
o If no clear-cut reason to establish acceptability, vote first on the
largest number, longest time, or most distant date.

Vote by any method: voice, show of hands, even ballot or roll call. The voting that
selects what will fill the blank merely adopts the amendment, not the main motion. A
second vote on the main motion is still necessary.

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Also, the Previous Question cannot be ordered on a motion to create a blank.
However, a motion can be made to Close Suggestions. It requires a 2/3 vote.
Drills on Motions to Create a Blank
CA Sigma Chi Sigma §12 P. 155-160
March 4, 2006

Drill #1: Filling a Blank with a Name (see page 157)

Need: Chair, Motion Mover, Blank Mover, and Blank Fillers.
Motion: Make a motion to send 3 delegates to a convention.

Drill #2: Filling a Blank with Amounts of Money to be Spent (see page 157)
Need: Chair, Motion Mover, Blank Mover, and Blank Fillers.
Motion: Make a motion to spend no more than a certain amount of money on repairs.

Drill #3: Filling a Blank with Dates (see page 158)

Need: Chair, Motion Mover, Blank Mover, and Blank Fillers.
Motion: Make a motion to hold a dinner at a particular date.

Drill #4: Filling a Blank with Places (see page 158)

Need: Chair, Motion Mover, Blank Mover, and Blank Fillers.
Motion: Make a motion to hold the annual convention at a particular city.

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 Sample Motion to Create a Blank
CA Sigma Chi Sigma §12 P. 155-160
March 4, 2006

Motion Mover: (Rises and is recognized) I move that we spend no more than $300 on
the rent of the hall.
Another Member: Second

Chair: It is moved and seconded that we spend no more than $300 on the rent of the
hall. Is there any discussion?

Blank Mover: (Rises and is recognized) I move to create a blank by striking out of the
pending motion the amount of $300.
Another Member: Second

Chair: It is moved and seconded to create a blank by striking out of the pending motion
the amount of $300. [This motion is neither debatable nor amendable]
Are there any suggestions?

Blank Filler #1: ‘$250’. [Speaker does not need to be recognized]

Chair: ‘$250’ is suggested. [No second is required] [Debatable]

Blank Filler #2: ‘$350’.

Chair: ‘$350’ is suggested. [Debatable]

Blank Filler #1: ‘$400’.

Chair: Your suggestion is out of order.

Blank Filler #3: ‘$450’.

Chair: ‘$450’ is suggested. [Debatable]

Chair: Are there any more suggestion?

We will vote on these amounts in descending order.

Chair: [Debatable] All in favor of filling the blank with the amount of ‘$450’, indicate by
saying ‘Aye’. All opposed to filling the blank with the amount of ‘$450’, indicate by
saying ‘No’. The ‘No’s have it. [A majority vote is required for adoption]

Chair: [Debatable] All in favor of filling the blank with the amount of ‘$350’, indicate by
saying ‘Aye’. All opposed to filling the blank with the amount of ‘$350’, indicate by
saying ‘No’. The ‘Aye’s have it. [A majority vote is required for adoption]

Chair: Is there any further discussion on the main motion?

The vote is on the motion, “to spend no more than $350 on the rent of the hall”.
1. All in favor of the motion as amended, indicate by saying ‘Aye’.
All opposed to the motion as amended, indicate by saying ‘No’.
2. The ‘Aye’s have it.
3. The treasurer will write out the check.
4. The next item on the agenda is …

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