can the president make a motion?

Just wondering if the president can make a motion?

Hi Edward...

The following is from robertsrules.com/faq

Question 1:
Is it true that the president can vote only to break a tie?
Answer:
No, it is not true that the president can vote only to break a tie. If the president is a member of the voting body, he or she has exactly the same rights and privileges as all other members have, including the right to make motions, to speak in debate, and to vote on all questions. So, in meetings of a small board (where there are not more than about a dozen board members present), and in meetings of a committee, the presiding officer may exercise these rights and privileges as fully as any other member. However, the impartiality required of the presiding officer of any other type of assembly (especially a large one) precludes exercising the rights to make motions or speak in debate while presiding, and also requires refraining from voting except (i) when the vote is by ballot, or (ii) whenever his or her vote will affect the result.

When will the chair's vote affect the result? On a vote that is not by ballot, if a majority vote is required and there is a tie, he or she may vote in the affirmative to cause the motion to prevail. If there is one more in the affirmative than in the negative, the chair can create a tie by voting in the negative to cause the motion to fail. Similarly, if a two-thirds vote is required, he or she may vote either to cause, or to block, attainment of the necessary two thirds. [RONR (11th ed.), pp. 405-6; see also Table A, p. 190 of RONRIB.]

HTH,
Ann

I'm no expert about Robert's, but Ann's reply leaves the impression that the president may vote twice--once (let's say) in favor of a motion and then again to make or break a tie. Somewhere in or near the section that Ann cites, I think it's stated that the president may only vote once on any motion--just like everyone else. Someone who's more knowledgeable about Robert's can correct me!

No, that is an incorrect interpretation. Further, on page 406 of Roberts Rules (11th ed):

"The chair cannot vote twice, once as a member, then again in his capacity as presiding officer."

The word "chair" can be replaced by the word "president."

As explained by Ann, if the president is a member of the board, the president is entitled to vote at any time, just as any other member. However, to preserve the neutrality of the presiding position, typically, the president does not exercise his right to vote unless his vote would make a difference and, therefore, always votes last, if he votes at all.

Examples (For a 5-member board, which includes the president):

If the vote is 3 to 1 in favor, the president does not need to vote because his vote would not make a difference.
If the vote is 3 to 1 opposed, again, the president does not need to vote.
If the vote is a tie (2 to 2) and the president favors the motion, the president votes in the affirmative.
If the vote is a tie (2 to 2) and the president opposes the motion, the president does not vote, allowing the tie to stand, thereby defeating the motion.

In the case of a 4-member board, if the vote is 2-1 in favor and the president opposes the motion, he would vote "no" thereby creating a tie and defeating the motion.