Convention Standing Rules

Adopted by the ACB Board of Directors, May 19, 2025

Preamble

The ACB Standing Rules are updated annually to ensure fairness and efficiency during debates and voting. Election materials, proposed Resolutions, and Amendments to the ACB Constitution and Bylaws are published in advance. Zoom sessions are scheduled for discussion and questions. Members are encouraged to attend or listen to these sessions to be informed and suggest amendments.

A. At the outset of debate on any issue before the convention, there shall be a period not to exceed ten (10) minutes devoted exclusively to questions and other points of clarification about the issue being debated. Speakers shall be limited to one minute, with no more than five speakers recognized, and a speaker shall be limited to asking about their point of clarification and shall not discuss the merits of the issue.

B. Debate on the merits of the issue shall begin at the conclusion of the ten-minute period for points of clarification. When the initial debate period begins, in the case of a resolution, the maker of that resolution shall be given an opportunity to address the assembly on the merits of the resolution.

C. Each debatable issue before the convention shall be limited to approximately twenty (20) minutes with a two-minute time limit per speaker, alternating between supporting speakers, including the maker of the resolution if they speak pursuant to subsection (b), and opposing speakers, unless a majority of the members agree to extend debate for an additional period of time. A member who does not seek recognition for purposes of debate at the beginning of a debate period shall not be eligible for debate during that debate period. The chair shall, during any debate period, immediately close debate when an equal number of speakers have debated each side and no additional speakers have sought the floor.

D. Speakers shall not be recognized for purposes of seeking points of clarification during a debate period. Each member is respectfully urged to speak directly to the issue before the assembly and avoid unnecessary and time-consuming dialogue. No member will be recognized a second time to debate until all who wish to debate have been recognized.

E. Motions to close debate will not be recognized by the chair during the first debate period. After the first debate period, properly moved motions such as “I call for the question” or “I move the previous question” will be handled by the chair and voted on by the assembly.

F. At the beginning of the first 20-minute debate period, the chair shall define for the body what constitutes a point of order (or other parliamentary inquiry) and shall signify how a member can be recognized for the purpose of making a point of order (or other parliamentary inquiry). Any time in which a point of order is being considered shall not be deducted from the debate period.

G. With respect to any motion on the floor, other than a motion on the adoption of a constitutional or bylaw amendment, if no one seeks the floor to debate in opposition to the motion, the chair may ask whether there is any objection to declaring a unanimous vote in favor of the motion. If, using the appropriate method for a rising vote, no one objects to such a unanimous vote in favor of the motion, the chair shall declare the motion passed unanimously. If an objection is made to a unanimous vote, the chair shall proceed to a rising vote on the motion.

A. Except as provided in subsection (b), an amendment to a resolution or constitution or bylaw amendment may not be offered on the floor unless; 1. In the case of a resolution, the language for the proposed amendment has been provided to the chair of the Resolutions Committee prior to the opening of the session in which that resolution is scheduled to be debated, and 2. In the case of an amendment to a constitution or bylaw amendment, the language for the proposed amendment has been provided to the chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee prior to the opening of the session in which that constitution or bylaw amendment is scheduled to be debated.

B. Notwithstanding subsection (A), if, in the opinion of the convention chair, the amendment being proposed is non-substantive or clarifying in nature, the amendment may be proposed and adopted by unanimous consent.

C. Voting on an amendment to a proposed Resolution or Constitution or Bylaw Amendment shall occur by rising vote only. It shall not, therefore, be in order to seek a record vote on such an amendment.

3. The parliamentarian will act as timekeeper.

4. Recognition to speak will be given to those members who properly address the chair either using the “raise hand” feature of the Zoom internet meeting client program or while standing at a microphone in the convention hall and giving their names and affiliation.

5. Nominating and seconding speeches shall be limited to five minutes per candidate with the speaking time allocated according to the candidate's wishes. A person nominated for an office more than once shall be limited to one minute.

6. When no candidate for office receives a majority vote, the election shall be between the top two candidates. Affiliate votes will be reported in whole or half numbers. In all uncontested elections as verified after three calls for additional nominations, the chair may declare the candidate elected by acclamation. “Write in” candidacies are not permitted.

A. Once a rising vote has been taken on a resolution, the chair will announce the result. If the difference between the winning and losing side of a rising vote is less than 20%, a record vote can be requested if 25% or more of those voting on the losing side request it. Alternatively, the presiding officer may call for a record vote if they believe there is enough uncertainty in the margin.

B. After debate has ceased on a resolution and it is subsequently determined that a record vote is required, no further amendments may be proposed.

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