Parliamentary Procedure - Can the chairman make motions?

Here's the answer to the question on whether the 
chairman can make motions.

 

-Seraphim 

Frequently Asked 
Questions - Parliamentary Procedure - Robert's Rules (http://www.parlipro.org/faqanswers.htm) 

Can the chairman make 
motions?
Yes, the chairman, if a 
member, has the same RIGHT to make a motion as any other member. In small small boards 
of not more than about a dozen members present, 
the chairman usually participates the same as other 
members. However, 
in larger assemblies, the chairman has 
a duty to remain impartial, so would usually not make a motion 
directly. 
The chairman could say, for example, 
"The chairman will entertain a motion to..." and then wait for a member to make 
it, or "Is there a motion to suspend the rules that interfere with hearing the 
speaker at this time?" 

The chairman may also assume a motion, as in: "If there are no 
[further] corrections, the minutes stand approved as 
read [as corrected]." or "If there is no further business to come before the 
meeting, this meeting will now adjourn. [pause] Hearing 
none, this meeting is adjourned."

So you see, without actually directly 
making a motion, the chair can accomplish pretty much the same thing without 
blatantly compromising his or her impartiality. Another option is to ask someone 
before the meeting to make a motion that the chair wishes to be considered. 
After all, the chairman is a member, too, and has just as much right to have 
things go their way as any other member. Accepting the job of chairman does not 
remove any rights as a member. For more information, 
refer to RONR 10th 
ed.  pp. 470-471, 343, 210, 
234, 490.

Seraphim 
Larsen 
Intel Corporation • ECG 
TechComm 
Chandler, AZ • (480) 552-6504 
My opinions only; I don't 
speak for Intel.