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PARLIAMENTARIAN - CHRIS HERZOG
Why the Chair Never asks, “Is there any old business?”
At some point in your meeting life, you may have heard a presiding officer ask, “Is there any old business?’ and wait for a reply. Unfortunately, this is an opportunity for members to raise issues or questions that maybe were not addressed at an earlier meeting.
Whether your parliamentary authority is Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th edition), or some other parliamentary manual, there’s no category of business named “Old Business.” The proper term for business that carries over from the prior meeting is “Unfinished Business.” The difference is more than just words.
Statement “Old Business” may infer this is the part of the meeting where we can talk about any “old” thing we’ve ever discussed in the history of the club.
In contrast, “Unfinished Business” is clearer that these business items have been carried over from the prior meeting. Perhaps we still need to resolve a motion. Or maybe assign something to committee to report back—then it comes under “Special Committee Reports”.
Also, the chair doesn’t ask for “Unfinished Business” because she will know what did or didn’t get resolved at the prior meeting. Instead, (for benefit of attendees) the topics might be noted on the agenda, and each item then becomes business. If we have been efficient at our meetings, “unfinished Business” will be none, as it evolves into just plain business.
Here’s where “Unfinished Business” falls in the standard Order of Business (aka: meeting agenda) followed by most club meetings:
Call to Order
Reading and approval of minutes
Reports of Officers
Report on the Board meeting & Standing Committees
Reports of Special Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
Announcements
Adjournment
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