Table of Contents
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