Post by RCA Webmaster on Jun 12, 2023 6:01:46 GMT -5
Decorum in debate is also guided by Robert’s Rules of Order, which states:
When a question is pending, a member can condemn the nature or likely consequences of the proposed measure in strong terms, but [the member] must avoid personalities, and under no circumstances can [the member] attack or question the motives of another member. The measure and not the member is the subject of the debate.
====================================
Proposal for 2023 ABM
No: 2 Title: Proposal to add language to the section entitled “Group Inventory” on page 81 of the Basic Text to encourage diversity and inclusion.
Submitter: RCA Literature Committee’s Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion Type: Amendment to Fellowship Approved Literature.
Motion:
The Committee moves to change to page 81 of the Basic Text, in the section entitled “Group Inventory.”
Ballot Proposal Two is to make the following addition to item 2 (added text shown in boldface type):
“In what ways do we encourage participation by all couples, regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identification, religious background, culture, race, class, national origin, physical or mental challenge, or political affiliation?”
Submitter’s Rationale:
If passed this proposal would implement a recommendation made by the RCA Literature Committee’s Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (“Committee”). The Committee was appointed at the direction of the RCA Board of Directors to look for ways to help make RCA more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to all, including in its website, literature, and meetings. RCA’s rules require the approval of the fellowship to make changes to RCA’s Basic Text. That is why this ballot proposal has been submitted to you for your consideration.
The Committee offered the following reasoning to the RCA Board of Trustees in support of its recommended revision: “This section provides a suggested group inventory, which RCA meetings can use to assess the health of the group. It provides 12 suggested questions, including question no. 2: ‘In what ways do we encourage participation by all couples?
“When a group takes its own inventory and asks itself how it is encouraging participation by all couples, it is important that the group be mindful of RCA’s policy of diversity and inclusion.”
.
Board of Trustees’ Comments on Proposal Two
The Board unanimously endorses Ballot Proposal #2 for the reasons stated in the submitter's rationale, which is based on the report of the Literature Committee's Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.
Structure Committee’s Comments on Proposal Two:
The basic revision requested in this proposal is a reiteration of text already a part of the Basic Text. The text in this proposal is an exact duplication of the wording on Page 43 - under the heading “Meeting Diversity”. The Structure Committee does not see the necessity for duplicating the text in our Basic Text.
1 Yay 5 Nays
When a question is pending, a member can condemn the nature or likely consequences of the proposed measure in strong terms, but [the member] must avoid personalities, and under no circumstances can [the member] attack or question the motives of another member. The measure and not the member is the subject of the debate.
====================================
Proposal for 2023 ABM
No: 2 Title: Proposal to add language to the section entitled “Group Inventory” on page 81 of the Basic Text to encourage diversity and inclusion.
Submitter: RCA Literature Committee’s Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion Type: Amendment to Fellowship Approved Literature.
Motion:
The Committee moves to change to page 81 of the Basic Text, in the section entitled “Group Inventory.”
Ballot Proposal Two is to make the following addition to item 2 (added text shown in boldface type):
“In what ways do we encourage participation by all couples, regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identification, religious background, culture, race, class, national origin, physical or mental challenge, or political affiliation?”
Submitter’s Rationale:
If passed this proposal would implement a recommendation made by the RCA Literature Committee’s Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (“Committee”). The Committee was appointed at the direction of the RCA Board of Directors to look for ways to help make RCA more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to all, including in its website, literature, and meetings. RCA’s rules require the approval of the fellowship to make changes to RCA’s Basic Text. That is why this ballot proposal has been submitted to you for your consideration.
The Committee offered the following reasoning to the RCA Board of Trustees in support of its recommended revision: “This section provides a suggested group inventory, which RCA meetings can use to assess the health of the group. It provides 12 suggested questions, including question no. 2: ‘In what ways do we encourage participation by all couples?
“When a group takes its own inventory and asks itself how it is encouraging participation by all couples, it is important that the group be mindful of RCA’s policy of diversity and inclusion.”
.
Board of Trustees’ Comments on Proposal Two
The Board unanimously endorses Ballot Proposal #2 for the reasons stated in the submitter's rationale, which is based on the report of the Literature Committee's Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.
Structure Committee’s Comments on Proposal Two:
The basic revision requested in this proposal is a reiteration of text already a part of the Basic Text. The text in this proposal is an exact duplication of the wording on Page 43 - under the heading “Meeting Diversity”. The Structure Committee does not see the necessity for duplicating the text in our Basic Text.
1 Yay 5 Nays