What is a "friendly amendment"?

A friendly amendment is best understood as a suggestion that typically aims to enhance or clarify the original proposal without the need for formal voting. This kind of amendment is usually proposed in a way that acknowledges the agreement of the original proponent, thus fostering collaboration and minimizing conflict within the decision-making body.

In practice, when a friendly amendment is suggested, it is often agreed upon by those present and can be adopted without a formal vote as long as no one opposes it. This streamlining of the process helps facilitate smoother discussions and encourages participants to work together.

The other options suggest scenarios that do not accurately represent the nature of friendly amendments. For instance, an amendment that must be adopted by the body through a vote implies a more formal process than is characteristic of friendly amendments. Similarly, requiring unanimous consent or being typically ignored by the chair misrepresents the cooperative spirit and procedural efficiency that friendly amendments embody.