Robert's Rules for Dummies + Website

by Jennings, C. Alan

• ISBN13: 9781118294048
• ISBN10: 1118294041
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-07-31
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Discover why Robert's Rules "rule" If you belong to any type of organization-from school board to garden club to bowling league to trade association-chances are this book can save you many boring meeting minutes. This friendly guide translates Robert's Rules of Order, the essential guide for conducting meetings of all types, into principles you can understand and apply the next time "Billy Bully" tries to dominate the discussion or "Debbie Dictator" issues another edict. If you've ever been frustrated at the way condominium association business was (or wasn't) conducted or fidgeted while PTA members debated whether to have goldfish or pencils as prizes for the elementary school carnival, this is the book for you. Written by a Professional Registered Parliamentarian, it covers everything from the basics of bylaws that establish the real framework of your organization to the requirements for a legal meeting, from how to use an agenda to plan your next meeting and keep things on track to voting procedure and putting ideas into motion-and so much more. This new edition is published in response to the revised 11th edition of Robert's Rules of Order Techniques for following parliamentary procedures to effectively manage meetings of any size Helps you stay current with the latest updates to the rules of order and parliamentary procedure Complete with a glossary of parliamentary terms and sample agendas, reports, and minutes, this guide has everything you need but a gavel. Whether you belong to an elite country club or a civic organization, an investment club or a volunteer fire department, when you use the principles in this book, meetings won't be dominated by the loudest or pushiest member or go on and on and on and on and on . . .

Author Biography

C. Alan Jennings holds a Professional Registered Parliamentarian (PRP) credential from the National Association of Parliamentarians. He is a past president of the Louisiana Association of Parliamentarians, and is a member of the American Institute of Parliamentarians.

Table of Contents

Introduction  1

Part I: It’s Parliamentary, My Dear: Participating Effectively in Meetings  7

Chapter 1: Following the Rules (Robert’s, That Is) 9

Chapter 2: Defining the Organization: Bylaws and Other Rules  17

Chapter 3: Meetings: Making Group Decisions 35

Chapter 4: Notice and a Quorum  49

Chapter 5: Ordering Business: The Agenda 59

Part II: Motions: Putting Ideas into Action  69

Chapter 6: Main Motions: Proposing Ideas for Group Action  71

Chapter 7: Debate: Discussing the Pros and Cons of Ideas  87

Chapter 8: Making Group Decisions: Voting on the Motion  103

Chapter 9: Subsidiary Motions: Helping to Process the Main Motion  121

Chapter 10: Privileged Motions: Getting Through the Meeting 147

Chapter 11: Incidental Motions: Dealing with the Questions of Procedure  163

Chapter 12: Haven’t We Decided This Already? Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly  195

Part III: Getting Involved in Leadership  213

Chapter 13: Who’s Going to Do the Work? Following Nomination Procedures  215

Chapter 14: Holding Elections and Making Appointments  227

Chapter 15: Running the Show: Officers and Directors  241

Chapter 16: Gearing Up for the Real Action: Committees  255

Chapter 17: Reporting to Your Organization 267

Chapter 18: Disciplining and Removing Officers or Members  279

Chapter 19: Starting a New Association  289

Chapter 20: The Convention of Delegates: A Special Kind of Assembly  301

Part IV: The Part of Tens  311

Chapter 21: Ten (Or So) Meeting Procedure Myths  313

Chapter 22: Ten Tips for Presiding Officers  321

Chapter 23: Ten Motion Mistakes to Avoid  327

Chapter 24: Ten Custom Rules to Consider  333

Appendix A: Glossary of Parliamentary Terms  341

Appendix B: Sample Agendas, Reports, and Minutes  349

Index  369