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Frequently Asked Questions
How will you help us have better meetings?
Before the meeting: I’ll help you plan the meeting so everything
goes smoothly.
During the meeting: I’ll help you make decisions with order
and fairness within the boundaries of your own rules (or show you how
to suspend or change those rules to make them fair but effective).
After the meeting: I’ll incorporate your adopted changes
into your bylaws and other documents, and help prepare your minutes
and action lists so you are ready to move forward with the decisions
you have made.
Between meetings: I’ll train your presiding officer and
members to help make the next meeting even better.
Can’t one of our members serve as parliamentarian?
A member who serves as parliamentarian gives up some of their rights
as a member, because it is impossible to function as an impartial consultant
and still debate and vote. If this is a national-level or board-level
meeting where important decisions are being made, you should safeguard
that process by engaging someone who is properly trained — and
has no personal interest in the outcome — to help you follow your
own rules.
Won’t using a professional parliamentarian restrict
us from doing what we want? You people can be so stuffy!
It’s true that the image of a professional parliamentarian is
not exactly flattering. I’m proud to say that the comment I hear
most often from my clients after our first meeting or training session
is, “You’re nothing like I thought you would be!” I take
pride in their comments that I don’t “fit the mold.”
If you’ve been losing time and energy because of lack of focus
or confusion about how to get things done, I can help you take action
so you have more time to pursue your priorities.
Why should we care about parliamentary procedure?
At its core, parliamentary procedure is about order and fairness. If
you want to avoid confusion and get business done, the best way is to
learn a few basic rules and follow them. Often I hear consultants deride
Robert’s Rules of Order, only to set up their own “norms”
or “process” for that particular workshop or session. Guess
what? They usually end up adopting substantially the same rules they
just threw out!
Should we have both a parliamentarian and an attorney
present?
It depends on the situation. Attorneys are trained to interpret the
law. Parliamentarians are trained to interpret the rules of an association,
and to help an association conduct its business in a fair and efficient
manner. Parliamentarians cannot interpret the law, and lawyers are not
trained in parliamentary procedure. If you want to resolve a legal matter,
consult your attorney. If you want to have a good meeting, consult your
parliamentarian.
Parliamentarian
home -Standard code
- American
Institute of Parliamentarians
Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure - Parliamentarian
2 - Parliamentary
training
parliamentary procedure - Professional
Registered Parliamentarian
Robert's Rules - parliamentary
consulting - Parliamentary
Procedure Consultant
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