A
resolution often consists of one long sentence, divided into
clauses, in which the opinion
of the writer is reflected. The resolution is proposed to the organization (in
this case, the Connecticut State Grange) and then offered
to a vote. You as the writer can
only request the organization
to
do
something,
advise
something,
or condemn
an act.
A purpose of a resolution is to be a statement of the entire group, so phrasing
only
the thoughts of one person will not work. The aim is to compose a resolution
with
other
delegates
to make it acceptable to the majority of the members.
The heading of the resolution
When writing a resolution, you start off with the heading. This consists of a
page number (e.g. 'page 2 of 3'), the name of the committee and in this
case Grange submitting the resolution,
the
title,
the co-submitter (person who penned the resolution) and the opening.
Usually this heading is repeated every page of the resolution.
Question of (commonly called the subject to which the resolution
refers)
The submitter of the resolution has to indicate the issue the resolution is about
on top of the resolution.
Preambulatory Clauses
Now the actual resolution starts. This is one long sentence. First you
have the preambulatory clauses (pre-am's). These are general statements, preceding
the main part of the resolution. If you can name facts that might be essential
to the resolution, you put them here. In this part no actions are allowed. After
each preambulatory clause a comma is placed. This clause is often started with
WHEREAS.
Operative clauses
The operative clauses are the real point of the resolution.
Always leave a blank line between two clauses. The operative clauses may be numbered.
Remember to place these clauses a little further from the marginal line than
the preambulatory clauses. After each operative
clause a semi-colon (;) is put, after the last one comes a full stop (.).
Sub points
You can of course use sub points in a clause. Put small letters in front of these
clauses. If you want to use sub points within a sub point, you use Roman figures
(I, II, III, IV, V, etc.) Remember to indent each time you do this.
The beginning of a clause
You generally start clauses with underlined words. Operative clauses start with
a verb in present tense, third person (ending with -es or -s). Sometimes these
words appear in combination with adverbs like 'strongly', 'deeply'
etc.
Framework of a resolution
Do not make your resolution too complicated
or too long. Remember to be precise when taking measures; make sure that a measure
can be executed within common sense. Every clause may contain only one aspect
of the issue, so it should not become a 'medley' of measures.
Conclusion (or Resolve)
At the end of a resolution you will find a concluding sentence or clause.
In it, you express your hope to indicate what action is proposed, come to a resolve,
find
a
solution,
or
suggest alternatives. The conclusion will often start with THEREFORE.
Each resolved clause must be a separate paragraph and may be ended with a period
or a semi-colon and in the case of the next to the last clause, be followed by
the word "AND".
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