Creating Motions

Any verified member can propose a vote. Learn how to create motions that engage your membership and advance your union's goals.

✊ Member Power

You don't need permission from leadership to propose a motion. This is direct democracy— members can initiate votes on what matters to them.

Before You Start

Before creating a formal motion, consider:

Discuss first: Float your idea in #organizing or #general to gauge interest
Build support: Major motions need seconders, so line up allies
Research similar votes: Look at past motions to see what worked
Be specific: Vague motions are hard to vote on and implement

Opening the Motion Creator

Navigate to your union's governance channel (often #motions or #governance)
Click the "Create Motion" button or widget
The motion creation wizard will open

Step 1: Choose Motion Type

Select the type that matches your goal:

Quick Poll

Informal opinion gathering, no binding decision.

When to use: Planning meetings, gathering input, temperature checks
Rules: No quorum, fast turnaround (1-3 days)
Example: "Should we schedule training on weekends or weeknights?"

Binding Motion

Official union decision that will be implemented.

When to use: Spending decisions, policy changes, actions
Rules: Requires quorum (25-30%), may need seconders
Example: "Authorize $500 for new organizing materials"

Election

Choose members for specific roles.

When to use: Filling steward positions, committee seats, representatives
Rules: Higher quorum (30%+), nomination period required
Example: "Elect 3 members to the Contract Negotiation Committee"

Referendum

Major union-wide changes.

When to use: Constitutional changes, major structural decisions
Rules: High quorum (40-50%), supermajority threshold, longer timeline
Example: "Approve amended union bylaws"

⚠️ Not Sure Which Type?

Ask in #governance or contact a union steward. You can also use templates your union has created for common types of decisions.

Step 2: Write Your Motion

Title

Write a clear, concise title (under 80 characters):

✅ Good: "Authorize $500 for organizing materials"
❌ Bad: "Money for stuff"
✅ Good: "Elect Shop Steward for Building A"
❌ Bad: "Vote on person"

Description

Explain what members are voting on. Include:

Background: Why is this motion needed?
Specifics: Exactly what will happen if it passes?
Impact: Who does this affect?
Implementation: Who will carry this out?

Example Good Description

"We're organizing three worksites that don't have union materials like flyers, shirts, and buttons. This motion authorizes spending $500 from the organizing fund to purchase these materials. The Organizing Committee will handle procurement and distribution. Materials will be ready for next month's campaign kickoff."

Attachments (Optional)

Add supporting documents:

Budget breakdowns
Proposed policy text
Research or reports
Contract excerpts

Step 3: Set Voting Rules

Configure how the vote will work. Most motion types have templates with sensible defaults.

Who Can Vote (Eligibility)

Choose the electorate:

All verified members: Union-wide decisions (most common)
Specific worksite: Issues affecting only one location
Specific committee: Internal working group decisions
Specific role: E.g., only shop stewards

The system will take a snapshot of eligible voters when voting opens, so people can't be added or removed mid-vote.

Quorum

Minimum participation rate (what % must vote for results to be valid):

None: Quick polls only
20-25%: Standard motions
30-40%: Important decisions, elections
50%+: Major referendums, strike votes

Threshold

What % of votes needed to pass:

Simple majority: More than 50% (most common)
2/3 supermajority: 66.7% (important decisions)
3/4 supermajority: 75% (constitutional changes)

💡 Tip: Abstentions

Abstentions count toward quorum but not toward the threshold. This lets members participate without taking a position, helping you reach quorum.

Ballot Type

Secret: Default for most votes (no one sees how you voted)
Recorded: Used rarely for accountability (shows who voted how)

Voting Method

For most motions, this is simple yes/no/abstain. For elections:

Ranked-choice: Members rank candidates by preference
Approval voting: Check all candidates you'd support
First-past-the-post: Most votes wins

Step 4: Set Timeline

Voting Duration

How long will voting be open?

1-2 days: Quick polls
3-5 days: Standard motions
7 days: Elections, important decisions
10-14 days: Referendums, strike votes

Notice Period (Optional)

Time between motion being filed and voting opening:

None: Voting opens immediately (quick polls)
3-7 days: Standard for important motions
14 days: Major referendums

During notice period, members can review and discuss before voting begins.

Amendment Period (Optional)

For major motions, allow time for members to propose changes:

Members submit amendments during this window
You can accept "friendly amendments" directly
Rejected amendments can be voted on separately
Final text is locked before voting opens

Step 5: Seconders (If Required)

Major motions require other members to "second" them before voting can proceed:

2 seconders: Standard binding motions
5 seconders: Supermajority motions
10+ seconders: Referendums

How Seconding Works

After you submit your motion, you'll get a shareable link. Post it in #organizing or message potential supporters. They click "Second this motion." Once you have enough seconders, the motion officially opens.

If you don't get enough seconders within 7 days, the motion expires. This prevents ballot flooding while still letting any member propose votes.

Step 6: Review & Submit

The wizard shows a summary:

Motion title and description
Vote type and rules
Timeline
Eligibility (who can vote)

Double-check everything—once voting starts, you can't change the rules.

After Submission

If Seconders Required

Motion enters "Gathering Support" status
Share the link with potential supporters
Track seconding progress
Once threshold met, motion advances

If Notice Period Set

Motion is announced to eligible voters
Members can review and discuss
If amendment period, members can propose changes
At scheduled time, voting opens

If Immediate Voting

Voting opens right away
All eligible members are notified
Members can vote immediately

Motion Templates

Your union may have pre-configured templates for common vote types:

Monthly Budget Approval

Binding motion
25% quorum, simple majority
5 days to vote
All members eligible

Emergency Action

Binding motion
20% quorum, simple majority
48 hours to vote
No notice period

Committee Election

Election (multi-seat)
30% quorum
7-day nomination period, 7-day voting
Ranked-choice or approval voting

Writing Tips

Be Specific

✅ "Authorize $500 for organizing materials" (clear amount)
❌ "Spend some money on stuff" (too vague)

Be Actionable

✅ "Direct the Negotiation Committee to demand 5% wage increase"
❌ "We should probably try to get more money maybe"

Provide Context

Help members understand why this matters. Don't assume everyone has the same background.

Include Implementation

Say who will do what if the motion passes:

"The Organizing Committee will purchase and distribute materials"
"The President will send this letter to management by Friday"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Setting Unrealistic Quorum

Don't require 50% turnout for routine motions—you'll fail quorum. Look at past votes to see typical participation rates.

Too Short Voting Period

If people work different shifts, give them enough time. For union-wide votes, use at least 5 days so everyone gets a chance.

Vague Language

"Improve working conditions" is too vague. Be specific: "Install water fountains in Buildings A and B."

Combining Multiple Issues

Vote on one thing at a time. Don't bundle "Authorize spending $500 AND elect a new steward AND change bylaws" into one motion.

Best Practices

Build Support First

Before creating a formal motion:

Discuss in #organizing to gauge interest
Refine your idea based on feedback
Line up seconders if required
Have a plan to promote participation

Communicate During Voting

Don't just submit and disappear:

Answer questions in the discussion thread
Remind people to vote (respectfully)
Address concerns that come up
Build support for your motion

Accept Amendments Gracefully

If someone suggests a good improvement, accept it! Democracy means collaboration.

Troubleshooting

Can't Create a Motion

You must be a verified member
Some motion types may be restricted to specific roles
Your union may have rate limits (e.g., max 2 motions per month per person)

Can't Find the Create Button

Go to the governance channel (#motions or #governance)
Look for the voting widget or pin
Contact a steward if you can't find it

Not Getting Seconders

Try:

Posting about your motion in #organizing
Explaining why it matters
Talking to coworkers in person
Revising your motion based on feedback

Motion Rejected

The system may reject motions that:

Have impossible rules (e.g., 150% quorum)
Violate union bylaws
Are duplicates of active votes