Working in a plenary session

Why plenaries?
There are clearly
many reasons for
plenaries, but the
general objective is to
come up with
decisions
representing all
members of IFMSA

With any decision, you have

choices
In favour
(support/agree/want)

Against
(not in favour/do not
agree/do not want)

Abstain
(doesnt matter/dont
care/couldnt be
bothered/couldnt be
arsed)

Motion
A decision to be made
How you behave
during a motion
depends on whether
you support, do not
support, or dont care
about it.

Components of a motion
ALL MOTIONS MUST HAVE A
PROPOSER AND A SECONDER
If at any point there is one of these
missing, the motion dies, unless a
replacement is found.
Proposer someone who suggests the
motion
Seconder someone who supports the
motion to be brought to a decision

How it works
Someone proposes a
motion
They are called the
proposer
Maybe you
Maybe some other
country
Maybe the IFMSA EB
or Team of Officials

Seconding
If you support the motion, you may second
it
You will then be called the seconder
You need to second a motion for it to be
considered. If not the motion dies right
there.
In the really odd event and unlikely event that the
proposer suddenly decides to withdraw, the
seconder will become the proposer and a new
seconder must be found.

After seconding now what

If you dont support
the motion in its
current form, you are
allowed to propose
amendments.

Amendments
Raise your voting card
Wait for your country to be called
You may propose your amendment
It doesnt always happen like this. Sometimes,
amendments are proposed long before the actual
plenary.
This is, of course, our preferred way of business.
If you dont agree with a motion discussed in presidents
session, better to work on an amendment beforehand to
be presented with the motion.

Amendments
If there are
amendments
Proposer needs to
accept
Seconder needs to
accept
THE SAME PROCESS
IS FOLLOWED FOR
ALL AMENDMENTS

Three possibilities
First possibility: Proposer does not accept
The amendment is voted on
If you support the motion WITH amendment, vote FOR
If you support the motion WITHOUT the amendment, vote
AGAINST
If you dont care, ABSTAIN

If for is more than against, the amendment is added

If against is more than for, the amendment is not
added

A quick primer on the act of voting

You can only vote if you
have a black stripe on
the bottom of your card
Listen carefully to the
plenary chair
When your choice is
called, show your card
stripe-side to the chair
and raise your hand
clearly

Three possibilities
Proposer accepts, seconder does not
accept
Need to find new seconder
If found, amendment is added
If not, motion dies

Three possibilties
Both proposer and seconder accept the
amendment
Clearly, the amendment is ADDED.

Amendment - summary
Amendments are proposed
Both proposer and seconder need to accept
If they accept, motion is amended

If proposer doesnt accept, vote is held

Majority = motion not amended or amended

If seconder doesnt accept, new seconder is

needed
No seconder = motion fails
New seconder = motion amended

Amendments done
Now what?

Now what
Chair asks for direct
negative
What is a direct
negative?
If you DO NOT
support the motion,
perhaps you should
speak up

Direct negative: no
This slide is easy.
No direct negative =
motion passes.

Direct negative: yes

If you do not agree
with the motion this is
your last chance to do
so.
Raise your hand (a la
voting procedures)
and card and state
that you have a direct
negative.

So you have a direct negative

A direct negative may
be accompanied by
an alternative motion
So what?

Alternative motion - no
Vote on original
If you dont want it vote against (not in
favour)
If you do want it vote for (in favour)
If you dont care abstain (couldnt care
less)

Alternative motion - yes

Find another seconder for the motion
Vote between motions
If you support the original vote for the
original
If you support the new motion vote for the
alternative
If you dont like either motion vote against
If you dont care - abstain

Points that can be used

Point of order
If something is wrong with the process, raise your
card and state Point of Order, wait for the chair to
acknowledge, and then state your point briefly
Do not use this to make opinion statements

Point of information
If you have more information about the issue being
discussed, raise your card and state, Point of
Information.
Wait for the chair, and then give us the lowdown.

Lets try one

I will hand out piece of paper to each of
you
DO WHAT THE PAPER SAYS

Motion 1
That the 2nd NLT be cancelled.
Proposed by: CIMSA Executive Board
Seconded by:

Playaction
No seconder, motion died.

Motion 2
That the 2nd NLT venue be changed from
Padang to Poso
Proposed by: CIMSA Executive Board
Seconded by:

Playaction
Seconded
Amended both proposer and seconder
agreed
Direct negative without alternative
No further amendments
Vote against majority, motion voted
down

Motion 3
That all attendees in the 2nd NLT should
wear pink shirts.
Proposed by:
Seconded by:

Playaction

Seconded
Amended proposer did not agree
Vote was held, amendment was not added
No further amendments
Original motion continued. Direct negative
without alternative
Vote held, motion passes

Motion 4
That all sessions in the 2nd NLT should be
conducted with music
Proposed by:
Seconded by:

Playaction
Seconded
Amended proposer agreed, seconder
did not
New seconder found
No further amendments
No direct negative
Motion passed nemo contra

Motion 5
That all the food served at General
Assemblies should be Javanese food
Proposed by:
Seconded by:

Motion 5 and alternative

Original: That all food served at the
General Assembly should be Chinese
food
Alternative: That all food served at the
General Assembly should be Chinese
food

Playaction

Seconded
No amendments
Direct negative with alternative motion
Vote one motion versus the other
Alternative motion passed.

Motion 6
That this session is over
Proposed by:
Seconded by:

Playaction

Seconded
Point of information
Amendments
No direct negatives
Motion passes nemo contra