World Science Fiction Society

Resolutions and Rulings of Continuing Effect

CH-2001-1

The Chair ruled that the Business Meeting could create standing committees of the Business Meetingby standing rule, but could create standing committees of WSFS only by constitutional amendment.

CH-2001-2

The Chair ruled that it is right and proper for the Business Meeting to ask to know how excess funds remaining after a Worldcon are disbursed. It is not sufficient for the Worldcon to simply report that the funds have been transferred to another body for disbursement.

The Chairman ruled that the Standing Rules can only cover the conduct of the Business Meeting and may not be used to impose requirements upon Worldcons.

Resolved, The Nitpicking & Flyspecking Committee is directed to remind each future Worldcon, early and often, that the WSFS Business Meeting believes that membership badges should be readable, with members' names printing in no less than 24 point type.

The Chairman ruled that the definition of a "signature" (as per the Hugo voting rules) was a matter for individual Hugo Award committees.

BM-2000-1

Resolved, that the proper formatting of the WSFS Constitution is as follows:

1. The WSFS Constitution is divided into a number of Articles, which are numbered in Arabic numerals, thus: 1, 2, 3, 4Ö.

2. Each Article is divided into a number of Sections, which are numbered with their Article and Section number in Legal format in Arabic numerals, thus: 1.1, 1.2,Ö. Each Section has a title relevant to its contents.

3. Each Section may be divided into subsections, which are numbered with their Article, Section and subsection number in Legal format in Arabic numerals, thus: 1.5.1, 1.5.2,Ö. Subsections do not have titles.

4. Enumerated lists of items are numbered with their sequence number in Arabic numerals enclosed in parentheses, thus: (1), (2),Ö.

5. Sections should be arranged in approximately chronological order within articles, as should subsections within sections, and items within lists.

Moved, to encourage Worldcons who tape their sessions to make copies available to the Worldcon history exhibit.

CH-1998-1

The Chairman ruled that it was in order to nominate sitting [appointed] members of the Mark Protection Committee for election to the Mark Protection Committee.

CH-1997-1

The Chair ruled that the Business Meeting could create "recognized publications" (as contemplated in the motion being debated) by resolution.

BM-1995-1

It is the sense of the WSFS that it is inappropriate for a Worldcon Committee to gather additional demographic data on the site-selection and/or the Hugo Award ballots beyond that which is required by the WSFS Constitution, or useful for the efficient administration of the balloting.

CH-1995-1

Balloting is necessary, unless the rules are suspended, even if the number of Mark Protection Committee nominees is the same as the number of seats to fill, since write-ins are allowed.

CH-1995-2

It is out of order, unless the rules are suspended, to change an existing working group to a committee.

CH-1995-3

It is out of order to amend a motion so as to simply undo an amendment previous[ly] adopted at the same session; however, the motion to Reconsider may be available.

CH-1995-4

In response to an inquiry as to the meaning of "published in advance" in rules related to the Business Meeting published in advance by the Worldcon Committee, the Chair ruled that such rules would have to be printed with the official documents, and not included by reference, although a reference could be made to an existing parliamentary manual.

CH-1995-5

The Chair ruled that the Standing Rules do bind the Worldcon Committee.

CH-1995-6

Persons casting site-selection ballots by mail may change their vote as long as practical until the tallying begins. [It was pointed out at the 1996 Business Meeting that 1995-R-6 meant it was appropriate to allow a change, not that it was required.]

BM-1994-1

WSFS Electronic Archives

RESOLVED, the Committee on Motions of Continuing Effect is hereby requested to maintain a list of sites that volunteer to keep public electronic archives of WSFS-related material. Worldcons are requested to transmit to such sites a copy of the current WSFS Constitution, Standing Rules, Business Passed On, and Business Meeting Minutes whenever new versions are available for distribution. The Committee on Motions of Continuing Effect is also requested to transmit to those same sites a copy of its report on such motions and any other reports deemed appropriate for general distribution. Materials made available electronically are not to contain personal information such as mail address or phone number without the express consent of the individual whose information is to be contained therein.

BM-1994-2

RESOLVED, that WSFS strongly encourages prospective Hugo categories to be tested before being submitted to the WSFS Business Meeting.

CH-1993-1

It was ruled that the Secretary has the authority to correct typographical and grammatical errors in the Constitution, Standing Rules, and Business Passed On.

CH-1993-2

A motion to take the vote on an Objection to Consideration by written ballot was ruled to be in order.

CH-1993-3

A motion which referred to the place of residence of a named individual was ruled to be in order.

CH-1993-4

A suggestion of 50 years as the debate limit for a motion was ruled to be dilatory.

CE-1993-5

The Chair ruled that a Constitutional provision beginning with the word "Provided" and effecting [sic] only one year would automatically disappear from the Constitution after that year.

BM-1992-1

The Mark Protection Committee is directed to investigate the possibility of protecting the Hugo rocket symbol and, if in its judgement the protection is worthwhile, to begin the process of protecting it.

BM-1992-2

The Mark Protection Committee is directed to use its judgement in selecting which marks to protect in which countries to achieve maximum protection with available resources.

BM-1992-3

The Mark Protection Committee is authorized to negotiate royalties for commercial use of WSFS marks.

BM-1992-4

It was the sense of the meeting that all (unofficial) site-selection results should be posted as soon as they are known. It was noted that future Worldcons could not be bound in this respect.

CH-1992-1

Ruled that if "None of the Above" wins the NASFiC balloting and the decision goes to the Business Meeting, the Business Meeting can not choose "None of the Above".

CH-1992-2

Ruled in connection with use of the WSFS marks that

(I) use by Worldcon and bidding committees is not commercial use,

(2) a blurb of "Hugo Winner" on a book's cover would not count as commercial use but a book like The Hugo Award Winners would be, and

(3) T-shirts produced for a Worldcon by an outside vendor would be commercial use.

BM-1991-1

(right after the Vote Count from Hell) Resolved, That the Business Meeting recommends that all future Worldcons adopt the practice of validating site-selection ballots as they are received, rather than after site- selection balloting closes.

CH-1991-1

Ruled that an Objection to Consideration is still in order, after debate on the time set for a motion, if debate has not touched on the substance of the motion.

CH-1991-2

After a tie vote which did not include the podium staff, an attempt was made to add the podium staff votes. A point of order was raised that all who wish to vote must do so at the same time (except that the chair should generally refrain from voting but may then add their single vote if it affects the outcome). This point of order was found to be well taken.

CH-1991-3

An objection was raised that the chair should not try to influence the vote while voting is taking place. The chair agreed.

CH-1990-1

A point of order was raised against a motion because the seconder was eleven years old. The chair ruled that the point of order was not well taken as there are no age limits on membership in the society.

CH-1989-1

The chair ruled that any amendment to the Constitution imposing additional financial reporting requirements would not apply to a Worldcon held before the requirement went into effect.

BM-1988-1

Every Worldcon Committee is requested to include the following additional notice in each of its publications:

The World Science Fiction Society and the World Science Fiction Convention are not related to "World SF, The International Association of Science Fiction Professionals."

CH-1987-1

The chair ruled that a quorum need not be present to hear reports.

BM-1986-1

The Mark Registration and Protection Committee is authorized to appoint a representative to engage in discussion with "World SF, The International Organization of Science Fiction Professionals", aimed at minimizing name conflicts.

BM-1986-2

All Worldcon and NASFiC Committees are encouraged to financially support the Mark Registration and Protection Committee.

BM-1985-1

It is the sense of the Business Meeting that the name of "World SF, The International Association of Science Fiction Professionals", does not infringe on any proper trademark of WSFS.

CH-1985-1

The chair directed that the Mark Registration and Protection Committee should respond to requests for lists of Hugo winners provided that the use of service marks is noted.

BM-1984-1

The Mark Registration and Protection Committee should be directed concerning pursuit of registration for particular marks only by resolution of the Business Meeting.

BM-1984-2

(a) The current Worldcon Committee should be neutral between committees bidding for future Worldcons. It should not request or accept money or supplies from any one bidding committee without making equivalent opportunity available to any competing committee(s).

(b) This resolution shall not preclude any individual member of a Worldcon Committee from offering his or her services, funds, or supplies to a bidding committee.

(c) This resolution shall not preclude the current Worldcon Committee from accepting the services of a bidding committee or its members, nor shall it preclude a bidding committee from offering services or merchandise to members of a Worldcon.

CR-1984-1

The chair directed that if the present appeal of the refusal of the US Patent and Trademark Office to register "Science Fiction Achievement Award" fails, no further attempts should be made to register that mark.

CR-1984-2

The chair directed that the Mark Registration and Protection Committee should pursue registration of the mark "NASFiC" if the NASFiC continues in existence.

CR-1984-3

A motion to refer a site-selection rotation zone plan to the United Nations was ruled out of order.

CH-1984-4

The chair ruled that the convention where the voting would take place should be taken as the deadline for the presentation of documents by write-in site selection bidders.

CH-1983-1

A Constitutional amendment was up for ratification which divided a Hugo category into two new categories. A motion was made to delete one of the new categories. The chair ruled that this was permissible at the ratification stage and that further ratification the following year would not be needed if the change were adopted. The ruling of the chair was appealed and the assembly overruled the chair, deciding that such a deletion was out of order at the ratification stage in this case.

CH-1983-2

A Constitutional amendment up for ratification was reworded with more neutral language but with no change in meaning. A point of order was raised that this would require it to be ratified again in changed form the following year. The chair ruled this point of order was not well taken.

BM-1982-1

Whereas recent Worldcons have had, and future Worldcons can expect to have, significant excess funds following the close of the convention;

And whereas there has been considerable debate and discussion in the past about the appropriate uses for these funds;

And whereas there are many organizations that would be worthy recipients of such funds;

And whereas it is difficult to choose which of the many worthy organizations should receive said funds;

Be it resolved that the following organizations are considered by the World Science Fiction Society to he among those worthy to receive donations:

a. recognized fan charities, such as TAFF, DUFF, CUFF, TOFF and the FAAn Awards;

b. established national fan organizations, such as the NFFF and the Fantasy Artists Network;

c. PBS, NPR, and their local affiliates, for the production and/or sponsorship of science fiction programming;

and

d. future Worldcon committees.

CR-1982-1

The chair ruled that an amendment up for ratification may be changed so as to decrease the scope of the amendment and such a change does not require farther ratification at the next Business Meeting.

CH-1982-2

The chair ruled that when the procedure of filling a blank is used to determine debate time limits at a Business Meeting, voting should start with the longest time period and proceed to shorter time periods until one obtains a majority.

CH-1982-3

The chair ruled that the opinions of the Business Meeting chair as to the meaning of Hugo category definitions are not binding on future Worldcons.

CH-1982-4

A motion was introduced that would direct future Worldcons supervising site selection to disqualify any bid that used hotels from a particular chain as the main convention hotel until certain conditions were met. The chair ruled the motion out of order on the grounds that requirements for bidding are specified in the WSFS Constitution and additional criteria cannot be imposed without amending the Constitution.

CH-1982-5

A motion to amend the Standing Rules to impose additional criteria for NASFiC bidders to appear on the ballot was ruled out of order by the chair on the grounds that bidding criteria are specified by the Constitution and any additional criteria can only be imposed by Constitutional amendment. (The ruling of the chair was appealed and the chair was sustained by vote of the assembly.)

CH-1982-6

The chair ruled that actual personal signatures are not required on motions submitted in writing as long as the makers of the motion are identified.

CH-1982-7

The chair ruled that "generally available" means you can get it if you want it, not that there have to be copies for everyone who might want it.

CH-1981-1

The chair ruled that the term "publications" includes everything sent to all members, and also flyers, etc.

CH-198O-1

The chair ruled that in the Standing Rules the phrase "the same Business Meeting" includes all sessions at a given Worldcon.

CH-198O-2

The chair ruled that in the case of the adoption of an entire new Constitution for WSFS, general amendments would be in order at the time of ratification.

CH-198O-3

The chair ruled that Section 2.6 of the WSFS Constitution requires that at least three nominees in each Hugo category appear on the final ballot provided that there are at least three nominees. (The ruling of the chair was appealed and the chair was sustained by a vote of 19-3.)

CH-198O-4

A motion was introduced to authorize a named individual to select and publish a series of "retrospective Hugos" for the years 1926 through 1951. A point of order was raised that, in light of the WSFS Constitution provisions prohibiting extending the name to any award other than that awarded by the mechanism provided in the Constitution, this would require a Constitutional amendment The chair ruled that this point of order was well taken.

CH-198O-5

The chair ruled that allegations of misconduct involving a non-Hugo award administered by a Worldcon are not WSFS Business. (The ruling of the chair was appealed and the chair was sustained by a vote of 20-1.)

BM-1978-1

A permanent body, the World Science Fiction Society, Incorporated (WSFS, Inc.) should be established, independent of any Worldcon Committee, whose members will be the members of the current and upcoming Worldcons. The Board of Directors of WSFS, Inc. should be selected by the members of the Society and by current and recent Worldcon Committees.

WSFS, Inc. should be responsible for the administering of voting for selection of the Hugos and the sites of future Worldcons. No change should be made in either Hugos or site selection as a result of the establishment of WSFS, Inc. except as necessary to administer the voting.

In cases of a Worldcon Committee becoming unable to properly manage its designated Convention, either because of internal collapse or misconduct, then, after investigations and due process, the Board of Directors should have the right to remove the name "World Science Fiction Convention" and the awarding of the Hugos, site selection and the holding of the Society's Business Meeting from the control of the guilty Committee and to award them to another responsible group.

CH-1977-1

The Convention Chairman asserted a right to co-preside at the Business Meeting without replacing the Presiding Officer.

CH-1977-2

The chair ruled that an Objection to Consideration could not be made unless good reasons for the objection were given. The ruling of the chair was appealed and the chair was overruled.

CH-1976-1

Immediately after calling the meeting to order, the Presiding Officer asked for and received a unanimous vote to the effect that the Constitution printed in program book was invalid and that a document distributed to the Business Meeting was the valid current Constitution with a set of pending amendments as passed in 1975 at Aussiecon. (A minor correction was later made, after researching the original language passed in 1972 at LACon I, in the wording of the separate eligibility of the English language translation of a work originally published in a language other than English.)

CH-1976-2

The chair ruled that amendments could be offered to constitutional amendments pending ratification provided that the proposed change would constitute a lesser change from the existing Constitution than the original language passed the previous year.