The Club by James Barrett

Author:James Barrett [Barrett, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Matador
Published: 2022-11-11T00:00:00+00:00

1.approve reluctantly, the action of the then chairman to incur the unauthorised expenditure under discussion; and

2.place on record that he be advised to consider his position.’

He looked directly at William as he spoke.

‘I so move,’ said William.

‘Is there a seconder?’ The Revd. Masters stared at Lucas.

Lucas felt uncomfortable under this gaze but, as required of him, said, ‘I second the proposal.’

The Revd. Masters said, ‘All in favour of the proposal, please raise your hand.’

Just as hands were about to rise, George said, ‘I wish to move an amendment.’ He had quickly scribbled down the original motion on the back of his agenda, using his knee as a table. His pen had gone through the paper in several places in his haste, but it was readable. ‘My amendment is to delete the words “reluctantly, then” and “unauthorised” and the whole of the second part of the motion. The amended motion would read: “that the trustees approve the actions of the chairman to incur the expenditure under discussion”.’

The Revd. Masters said, ‘I now put the motion to the committee, all—’

George interrupted. ‘The procedure in any forum is to put the amendment first, so that if it’s approved it becomes the motion on which other amendments may be moved.’ He spoke with the authority of the rightful chairman of this committee of trustees and a veteran of many fractious Rotary meetings.

‘Very well,’ said the Revd. Masters. ‘I now put the amendment. Those in favour, please raise your hand.’ He sat still and stared at his two churchwardens. They did not move. George’s hand shot up immediately and he looked at the remaining trustees. Steven Acton put up his hand, followed by Noah Alderton. Still Jacob did not move.

Jacob was mesmerised. He had not understood the discussions and did not know what to do. He was an elderly man; his white hair was sparse, his face taut and lined with worry, exaggerated by the dim light and high emotion of all that had gone before. Now his vote was crucial.

The Revd. Masters said, ‘Jacob is abstaining…’

‘I think Jacob is raising his hand,’ said George, but old Jacob had not moved. ‘He definitely is.’ Slowly Jacob lifted his hand off his knee and with all the strength he could muster, but failed to raise it. It was three votes for the amendment.

‘Those against the amendment.’ The Revd. Masters and the two churchwardens, Lucas and William, voted against the amendment. The Revd. Masters said, ‘That’s three votes for the amendment and three against. I shall use my casting vote, as chairman, against the amendment. The amendment is lost.’

‘I now put the original motion. All in favour, please show.’ The Revd. Masters put up his hand and the two churchwardens did the same. ‘And against the original motion.’ George raised his hand and Steven and Noah voted against. Again, Jacob abstained.

‘There were three votes in favour of the original motion and three votes against. I shall use my casting vote as chairman in favour of the original motion, which is carried.

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