1541–1553

2. Procedure

1541. Delegates. Once a delegate has been seated at the General Conference, an alternate delegate cannot thereafter be seated in place of the seated delegate (1514).

1543. Quorum (336). A majority of all the delegates elected by the districts shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A smaller number shall have the authority to adjourn from time to time until a quorum is obtained.

1545. Voting (338). The ministerial and lay delegates shall deliberate in the sessions of the General Conference as one body. However, upon the final vote on any question, except proposed amendments to the Constitution (200-385), on a call of one-fourth of the members, the house shall divide so that ministerial and lay delegates shall vote separately. It shall require a majority vote of each branch to pass any question upon which the division has been called.

1547. Rules of Order. General Conference business shall be conducted according to the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, except when formally suspended by the General Conference or when other procedures are required by The Discipline (360:1).

1550. Appeals on Questions of Order. The chair shall decide all questions of order, subject to an appeal to the General Conference. In case of such an appeal, the vote shall be taken without debate, except that the chair may state the grounds of the decision, and the appellant may state the grounds of the appeal.

1553. Suspension of Rules. The General Conference may suspend for a particular session any statutory law (155) set forth in The Discipline governing the procedures of the General Conference, by a two-thirds majority vote.