Robert's Rules For Dummies (eBook)

C. Alan Jennings, PRP, is a Professional Registered Parliamentarian credentialed by the National Association of Parliamentarians. He is a past President of the Louisiana Association of Parliamentarians and a member of the American Institute of Parliamentarians.

Introduction 1

Part 1: It's Parliamentary, My Dear: Participating Effectively in Meetings 9

Chapter 1: Following the Rules (Robert's, That Is) 11

Chapter 2: Defining the Organization: Bylaws and Other Rules 23

Chapter 3: Meetings: Making Group Decisions 47

Chapter 4: Notice and a Quorum 69

Chapter 5: Ordering Business: The Agenda 83

Part 2: Motions: Putting Ideas into Action 97

Chapter 6: Main Motions: Proposing Ideas for Group Action 99

Chapter 7: Debate: Discussing the Pros and Cons of Ideas 125

Chapter 8: Making Group Decisions: Voting on the Motion 147

Chapter 9: Subsidiary Motions: Helping to Process the Main Motion 175

Chapter 10: Privileged Motions: Getting through the Meeting 211

Chapter 11: Incidental Motions: Dealing with Questions of Procedure 229

Chapter 12: Looking At Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly 269

Part 3: Getting Involved in Leadership 293

Chapter 13: Who's Going to Do the Work? Following Nomination Procedures 295

Chapter 14: Holding Elections and Making Appointments 311

Chapter 15: Running the Show: Officers and Directors 329

Chapter 16: Gearing Up for the Real Action: Committees 351

Chapter 17: Reporting to Your Organization 367

Chapter 18: Disciplining and Removing Officers or Members 385

Chapter 19: Starting a New Association 401

Chapter 20: The Convention of Delegates: A Special Kind of Assembly 415

Part 4: The Part of Tens 429

Chapter 21: Ten (Plus Two) Meeting Procedure Myths 431

Chapter 22: Ten Tips for Presiding Officers 441

Chapter 23: Ten Motion Mistakes to Avoid 449

Chapter 24: Ten Custom Rules to Consider 457

Chapter 25: Ten Considerations for Electronic Meetings 467

Appendix: Glossary of Parliamentary Terms 475

Index 491