What is a Motion

A formal proposal that is presented to a quorate meeting and voted on.  When the motion is carried by a majority it becomes policy of the branch / union.  Motions can be submitted to the branch (UCL UCU), the region (https://www.ucu.org.uk/londoncommittee) or the national union’s Congress (the annual union conference composed of Congress, which is both HE and FE delegates deciding shared issues, and the HE Sector and FE Sector Conferences in separate sittings).  Motions put forward to congress by branches need to be ratified by a general meeting.

How is a motion structured?

There is no hard and fast rule on how to write a motion.  There are some conventions used, which includes three parts: notes, resolves and believes.  

• Notes – usually statements of fact that relate to the context;
• Believes – the beliefs or principles that motivate the action being proposed to justify why the proposed action will address a problem and why the branch should support it;
• Resolves – the action you want the branch to take.  This should be clear and achievable.

If the various clauses are numbered they are easier to reference when being debated at a general meeting.   Each clause should be short and simple.

You can download a template motion here.

What topics can motions cover?

Motions can cover any topic that is relevant to the union and its work. As per rule 3 of the UCL UCU rules, the aims of the local branch are the same as those of UCU (https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/14161/Rules-2023-24/pdf/UCU_Rules_2023-24_from_29.05.23.pdf). Motions should be in line with one or more of these 11 aims, the first listed being: “To protect and promote the professional interests of members individually and collectively, to regulate the conditions of their employment and the relations between them and their employers, and to safeguard their interests.”. 

Word Limit

There is presently no word limit for local policy motions, though the Chair may ask those submitting a motion to reduce words where the motion is unreasonably long given its aim.

Different rules apply for Congress / Sector Conference motions.

Who may submit a motion?

Any member of the branch may submit a motion for discussion and voting at a branch meeting. For the motion to be discussed and voted on, it must a) be proposed by the person proposing the motion or someone they delegate to do this, should they be unable to attend, and b) seconded by another member of the branch at the meeting.

How to submit a motion

Email it to ucu@ucl.ac.uk before the deadline set in the calling notice for the General Meeting and prepare a speech to move the motion at a general meeting.  The branch aims to circulate motions before the general meeting, and amendments to the submitted motions will be invited.  

Amendments

Where amendments are submitted in advance, the branch will aim to circulate amendments in advance of the meeting.  Amendments are treated in the same way as motions.  Amendments should not change the spirit of the motion (wrecking amendments).  A mover of a motion may accept an amendment to their motion as a friendly amendment, or they may insist that it is voted on separately.  Amendments are usually voted on first, and if they are carried, the motion as amended is voted on afterwards.  The chair may accept amendments from the floor during the meeting.

At the meeting

Movers of motions may speak for 5 minutes, according to our local standing orders (6).  All motions must be seconded and the seconder is normally given the first opportunity to speak in favour of a motion.  If no one wants to speak against a motion it can be seconded as a formality, or go into structured debate.  Each speaker can only speak once except the proposer who has a right to reply to points made in discussion/debate.

The Chair may request that contributions are shortened, where the agenda is full.

Voting

If the majority of members voting at the meeting are in favour of the motion, the motion becomes a ‘resolution’ of the meeting.

Voting is by show of hands in an in-person meeting or may involve a show of electronic symbols or an electronic poll in an online meeting.

Points of Order

Any member may raise a point of order. These typically relate to the order of the meeting or whether the meeting is attempting to do things it is not entitled to do. Where members are using points of order vexatiously, to obstruct discussion, the Chair may limit their interjections.

Points of Information

Any member may raise a point of information (useful information that may help the meeting with deliberation or process), at the discretion of the Chair.

More info here: https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/1752/Running-formal-meetings/pdf/meetings_formal_1.pdf