Debates Process
This section's a bit long and tricky, but by the time you get to the end you should have a good idea of how to write a motion and how it will be debated...
Handing in motions
Motions should be sent to the core group as far in advance as possible. The core group will send out an invitation for the submission of motions at least six weeks prior to a general meeting. The deadline for motions will be at least one month before the general meeting in order that comprehensive information on all the debates can be sent to members a fortnight before the event. Motions may be considered after this deadline at the discretion of the core group.
Format for motions
Motions will be accepted in any reasonable format, however an example motion is given below as a guideline.
- CEYC notes (this is the bit where you explain the current situation):
- That CEYC does not have a mascot.
- That badgers are biblical animals.
- CEYC thinks (actually what you think and what you hope the rest of CEYC will agree):
- That adopting a badger for a mascot would be a brilliant idea.
- CEYC will (the action that you hope will result from the motion):
- Ask the proposer of this motion to research badger symbols and design a badger logo.
- Present the badger logo at the next meeting for it to be agreed upon as the official logo of CEYC so that it can appear on clothing, stationary and all official documentation.
Proposed: Sally Badgerface (Badger Set Diocese)
Seconded: Thomas Snuffles (Big Field Diocese)
Proposer and Seconder
All motions are to be proposed and seconded by members of CEYC. It is the role of the proposer and seconder to present the motion. This involves reading it out at the meeting and then having the chance to argue in favour of the motion for a few minutes. It is the role of the core group to send out unbiased information regarding the topic of the debate a fortnight before the meeting is to be held. All CEYC members are expected to read this briefing material carefully, and if possible to carry out further reading or research on the topic. Particularly importantly, CEYC reps should investigate as far as possible the views of young people in their diocese. This is because, as a CEYC rep, you are there to represent the views of your diocese as a whole, not simply your own views. In exceptional cases, when the debate is put forward without the time for research by a Core Group member, an adult observer may be called upon to give further information before the debate begins.
Amendments
Amendments are changes that a member of CEYC proposes to make to the motion. For example, in the "badger mascot" motion above, someone might propose that, instead of the proposer of the motion having to research badger symbols and design a badger logo, she should catch a badger and tame it so that it could attend CEYC meetings. This suggested change to the motion is an amendment.
During group discussions at the beginning of debates, members should decide whether they wish to propose amendments; if so, they should pass any amendments in writing to the debate secretary. Suggested amendments should be made after careful thought, without adding unnecessary complication to the motion.
The chair of the debate will then decide if the amendment is in the spirit of the debate. For example, in the "badger mascot" motion an amendment to adopt a koala bear as the mascot instead might be accepted by the chair, whilst an amendment that suggested that rather than adopt a mascot we start every debate with the Macarena might not.
If the amendment is accepted by the chair, the proposer of the amendment will have a short time to put forward their argument. If the proposer of the motion accepts the amendment, it may be applied automatically, otherwise CEYC will vote on it. If passed it becomes part of, or replaces, the original motion, if not the amendment is scrapped. If the amendment is passed against the will of the original proposer of the motion then the proposer of the amendment may become the proposer of the new motion.
During the debate
After the motion is proposed and introduced, there should be a short period of discussion in small groups, following which members of CEYC and observers may ask questions about issues arising from these discussions, so that all representatives are clear about what the motion is saying before the debate begins.
Following this, the debate itself will start. In this time, any member may ask to speak by raising a coloured card (see the next section). It is the responsibility of the chair to manage the debate, and invite people to speak in order to get the most balanced debate possible and allow for the widest range of views to be heard. It is very important that it is the chair making the decisions over who speaks and not members passing the microphone between one another. At any point when the chair thinks people are getting bored, or the debate is going round in circles, the chair may ask members to indicate whether they would like to move to a vote immediately. The chair may also make this decision without consulting members, as he or she has overall authority.
Voting
Each member will be given an orange and a blue card that they can use at any point during the debate to indicate whether they are in support of the motion (orange card), disagree with it (blue card), or are uncertain (both cards). These cards will help the chair to gauge the general opinion and to see when people are reaching agreement on a topic. Those requesting permission to speak in the debate must show an orange or blue card to indicate whether they are going to speak for or against a motion. At the end of the debate members will be asked to raise either their orange or blue card in order that votes can be counted easily. Before this final vote is taken the proposer or seconder of the motion will be allowed to make a short final argument in favour of the motion.
Yes, it sounds complex but once you see it up and running it will all make much more sense... we promise!