1. What's a Resolution?
2. What's a Recommendation?
3. What's New Business?

1. What's a Resolution?

Resolutions require sponsorship by two active members, who need not be delegates. Resolutions must be submitted 90 days in advance of the House session.

Resolutions are submitted to the House with a recommended course of action from the Board, although the House’s action is on the Resolution itself, not on the Board’s recommendation. The House may adopt, amend, reject, or refer the Resolution. If a Resolution is passed with amendments, the Resolution must be duly considered by the Board, as required by the Bylaws.

2. What's a recommendation?

Recommendations are the simplest and most direct way for a delegate to identify topics for further review and policy development. At the designated point in the House agenda, any delegate may present a Recommendation by simply approaching a microphone and voicing it. A written copy of the Recommendation should be presented to the Secretary of the House. Recommendations do not require a second, are not debatable, and are received without a vote. Recommendations are automatically referred to the appropriate ASHP body for consideration. The outcome of a Recommendation is reported both to the originator and to the House. Appendix C is a form that may be used to submit a Recommendation.

3. What's New Business?

New Business items may be proposed by delegates and require a second before consideration by the House. New Business must be submitted in writing by 4:00 p.m. the day before the second meeting of the House, and must include appropriate background. The Board is not able to “duly consider” New Business items before the House considers them. Hence, the House has only two options, namely, referring a New Business item to the Board for review, or rejecting the item. The Board reports all action taken on New Business at the next session of the House. Appendix D [PDF]is a form that may be used to submit New Business.

If you’d like to suggest additional questions for this FAQ, please email us at DEVP@ashp.org.

Please feel free to email the House of Delegates Chair Teresa J. Hudson at  hudsonteresaj@uams.edu if you have a question about the House of Delegates or ASHP professional policies.