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MEETINGS
Question: In our board meetings, which are run formally, members sometimes "call the question." What exactly does it mean, and what is the correct way of handling this procedure?
Answer: "Calling the question" is an archaic term of parliamentary procedure. In a formal meeting it is used by members who would like to end the discussion and vote on a motion immediately.
Commonly (and erroneously) the meeting chairperson interprets "calling the question" to mean that debate has ended and that he or she has no other option but to take the vote on the motion immediately. Doing so may be harmless (and productive) if no one wants to speak...