Reports of officers
The president says, “The next business in order is hearing reports of the officers.” Note:
Officers are called on in the order they are listed in the bylaws. The president should
only call on those who have reports to make. An officer should not move the
implementation of a recommendation in her report; another member can make such a
motion following the officer’s report.
The treasurer reports at every meeting. In calling on the treasurer the president says,
“May we have the treasurer’s report.” Note: A treasurer’s report is never adopted. An
audit report, usually presented annually, is the only financial report that is adopted. This
language is used to adopt the audit report: “The question is on the adoption of the audit
report. Those in favor of adopting the audit report say ‘aye’. Those opposed say ‘no’.
The ‘ayes’ have it and the audit report is adopted.”
Reports of standing committees
The president says, “The next business in order is hearing reports of the standing
committees.” Note: Standing committees are called on in the order they are listed in the
bylaws. The president should only call on those who have reports to make.
The chairman or other reporting member of a committee says, “On behalf of the
committee, I move the adoption of [insert motion needed to implement any
recommendations the committee makes].” Note: A motion arising out of a standing
committee’s report is taken up immediately.
Reports of special committees
Note: Announced only if there are such committees prepared or instructed to report.
The president says, “The next business in order is hearing reports of special
committees. The committee appointed to [insert special committee name] will now
report.” Note: Special committees are called on in the order in which they were
appointed.
The chairman or other reporting member of a committee says, “On behalf of the
committee, I move the adoption of [insert motion needed to implement any
recommendations the committee makes].” Note: A motion arising out of a special
committee’s report is taken up immediately.
Special orders
Note: Announced only if there are such items.
Matters set by the bylaws for a particular meeting, such as elections, are taken up at
this time.
Unfinished business and general orders
Note: Announced only if there are such items.
Unfinished business — sometimes incorrectly referred to as old business — refers to
questions that have carried over from the previous meeting as a result of that meeting