Reconsider - a motion of American origin - enables
a majority in an assembly, within a limited time and without notice, to bring
back for further consideration a motion which has already been voted on.
The purpose of reconsidering a vote is to permit correction of hasty, ill-advised,
or erroneous action, or to take into account added information or a changed
situation that has developed since the taking of the vote.
This certainly seems to be our situation.
The rules regarding this motion are complex, but as it applies to this situation
there are two considerations
(1) Timing
(2) Who may make the motion.
The answer to these questions depends on whether the SUO is considered an
assembly or a standing committee. The rules on reconsideration are different
for each as are some other RRO rules and the New York law on not-for-profit
organizations (e.g. IEEE).
If the SUO is an
assembly (of members) then the motion for reconsideration
must be made within two business days of the announcement of the final results
of the vote (in this case Monday) and must be made by a member who voted
yes.
If the SUO is a
standing committee (of the IEEE-SA or some other subordinate
organization of IEEE) then any voting member may move the motion (even if
they did not vote in the previous ballot) and there is no time limit.
I believe the SUO is a standing committee (a standards committee) that may
be created or dissolved by a higher authority (i.e. the IEEE-SA). We do
not have a constitution or by-laws of our own or a legal identify separate
from IEEE.
On this assumption (and in a separate note) I will move for reconsideration
of the SUMO vote. Additionally I will put a parliamentary question to the
chair for a ruling on whether SUO is an assembly or a standing committee
since it has implications beyond this motion.
However, a
much simpler solution is for someone who voted yes on the
SUO motion to move for reconsideration of the vote. Moving for reconsideration
does not mean the member making the motion is changing their vote. They
may vote yes (or no) in the new vote. It means that the vote will be taken
again.
It is an act of courtesy and consideration that will be appreciated by many.
However one should make it as soon as possible - preferably today.
Bob