The Florida Parliamentarian
Volume 36, Issue 1 September 2017
Call to Meeting Fall Meeting and Robert’s Day Workshop October 20-22, 2017 October 20 Board Meeting Registration and Reception October 21 Special Meeting 9 a.m. Business Meeting Workshops October 22 FURP Business Meeting Workshop Embassy Suites Brandon 10220 Palm River Road Brandon, FL 33169
Let All Things Be Done Decently and In Order HENRY M. ROBERT’S DAY WORKSHOP S AND MEETINGS The FSAP Henry M. Robert Day meetings will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at the Embassy Suites Brandon, 10220 Palm River Road, Tampa, FL 33619. A special meeting will be called at 9 a.m. for the purpose of considering amendments to the FSAP Bylaws and the 2017-2018 budget which are noticed in this issue. A regular business meeting will immediately follow adjournment of the special meeting.
Immediately following the meetings, workshops will begin. There are four workshops planned. (See page 10 for more information.) The Florida Unit of Registered Parliamentarians meets on Sunday, October 22. Everyone is invited to attend both the meeting and the workshop on What You Need to Know About NAP’s New Credentialing Program.
Inside this issue: Presidentially Speaking
2
Q&A
4
Bylaws and Special Rules Proposed Amendments
5
Remembering Past Presidents Directory Update
7
8
Henry M. Roberts Day Workshops
10
Hotel and Meeting Registration
11-12
FSAP Officers elected at the Annual Meeting: Helen Popovich, PRP, 1st VP; Dr. Eugene Bierbaum, PRP, President; Tim Wynn, PRP, Past President; Sara h Russell, Secretary and Karen Price, Treasurer. Not shown: Jacquelyn Pierce, RP , 2nd VP.
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The Florida Parliamentarian
Presidentially Speaking… The Units: Parliamentarian Incubators
President Eugene Bierbaum, PRP
A quick overview of the NAP Bylaws reveals the basic structure of the association. Members, of course, are at the very core of the structure. Members organize to form units, units may then be organized within an association, and associations are geographically organized into districts. All of these divisions of NAP, together with the unchartered states or provinces, clubs, and youth groups comprise the vast organizational structure of the association which functions under the leadership of the elected officers and board of directors. Probably the most underappreciated and least recognized divisions of NAP are the units. Why should anyone join a unit? What is their unique value?
As a lifelong professional educator, I have focused on ways of turning the “novice” parliamentarian into a truly “professional” parliamentarian. The challenge is to take a subject that some have described as inherently “boring” and make it come alive. Educators have long realized that parliamentary procedure is not something that can be learned by reading a book—even such a scholarly work as RONR. To learn parliamentary procedure, you must become “involved;” you must be an active participant in the learning process. Memorizing a set of rules does not make a parliamentarian. You must not only “know” it; you must “own” it. Educators also recognize that one of the most effective ways to “own” parliamentary knowledge is to teach it. We know, from experience, that the teacher is often learning more than the students. As the teacher goes about preparing the lesson plan and interacting with the class, the teacher becomes the “owner” of the subject matter in a way that the students cannot appreciate until they have tried teaching it themselves. The Florida Parliamentarian is the official publication of the Florida State Association of Parliamentarians and is published four times a year; February, April, September, December. Subscription rate: $20 per year. © 2017 Florida State Association of Parliamentarians. All rights reserved. Tim Wynn,PRP, Editor-in Chief (386) 228-2242 E-mail: Tim@PerfectRules.com Ann Guiberson, PRP, Editor (727) 641-6308 E-mail: aguiberson@gmail.com Dr. Eugene Bierbaum, PRP, Associate Editor (352) 333-2442 Email: ebierbaum@juno.com Carol Austin, PRP, Circulation Manager (813) 833-4747 Email: carolaustinprp@cs.com
DEADLINES FOR COPY February issue Dec 31 April issue Mar. 1 September issue June 30 December issue Oct 31 SEND ADDRESS CORRECTIONS TO: Carol Austin 1515 Pinellas Bayway S, A13 St. Petersburg, FL 33715 FSAP WEBSITE http://www.flparliamentarian.com
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Presidentially Speaking….The Units: Parliamentarian Incubators The dilemma is that most students are not qualified to stand up in front of a class and start teaching. This requires special training. Novice instructors, who do not know how to research, organize, and present their material can quickly lose their audience and produce a membership disaster while they learn how to teach at the expense of their “students.”
making the transition from “book learning” to “applied learning” is not easy.
What about the more advanced members who already have their credentials and have moved beyond learning the basics? Guess what! They need constant involvement just as much as the beginners. Parliamentary procedure consists of basic skills that are used at almost every So, where can the aspiring parliamentarian meeting (such as following an agenda, making a find a safe space to experiment and become main motion, or taking a majority vote,) and “involved” with parliamentary procedure? This skills that are rarely used (such as removing an is where the units of NAP become an officer from office, discharging a committee, or indispensable tool for challenging a credentials learning. The NAP Bylaws report). Even the most “The units provide a safe place state that the purpose of advanced members of the both to learn and to apply units is to “promote the unit need to go back and study of parliamentary review procedures that were learning in a structured, nonprocedure and the once mastered but long threatening environment.” educational programs of forgotten . NAP on a local No other division of NAP level.” (Article IV, Section provides the “personal and 5, C) The key words here up close” kind of education are “on a local level.” To provided by the units. Recognizing the participate in a unit, one does not need to travel importance of the units in the overall structure of long distances to national or district meetings, NAP educational programs, I have chosen as the nor even to meetings of the state association. theme of my two-year presidency, “The Units: Units are intended to be near to the members, Parliamentarian Incubators.” If you haven’t near enough that they can be readily accessible already joined a unit, plan to do so within the for learning purposes. next few weeks. The units are where the All of the units of NAP appreciate their role in theoretical knowledge contained in RONR comes providing “hands on,” participative learning at to life, and you can gain more than mere book the local level. The units provide a safe place knowledge. You will not only know it; you will both to learn, and to apply learning in a “own” it. structured, non-threatening environment. They provide a place where one can take a tidbit of learning, try it out, fail, and try again. All of this “The purpose of units is to promote happens among friends who support you even the study of parliamentary when you become tongue-tied and don’t know procedure.” what to say next. All of them have been through what you are going through, and they know that
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The Florida Parliamentarian
All page numbers are references to Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th ed., unless otherwise noted. Send questions to the Associate Editor, Helen Popovich, PRP E-mail: hpopovich@mac.com
Question 1: The Central Florida Garden Club is a small club composed of 25 members. Its bylaws state only, “These bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the club.” At the club’s April meeting, the Finance Committee gave notice that it would propose amending the bylaws at the May meeting to increase the annual dues from $20.00 to $25.00. Subsequently, the call to the May meeting provided the following notice: “At its May meeting the club will consider amending Article III.C.1 of the club’s bylaws, which currently reads, ‘Dues shall be $20.00 per year,’ by striking ‘$20.00’ and inserting ‘$25.00.’ If the amendment is adopted, ArticleIII.C.1 will read, ‘Dues shall be $25.00 per year.” Twenty-one members attended the May meeting. After debate on the amendment, thirteen members voted in favor of adopting it and eight members voted against adoption. The chair said, “The affirmative has it and the amendment is adopted. “ Member A immediately raised a point of order, stating that, according to RONR, unless the bylaws specify otherwise, a two-thirds vote with previous notice is required to amend the bylaws. Is Member A’s point well taken?
Answer: No, Member A’s point is not well taken. RONR does state, “The bylaws should always prescribe the procedure for their amendment, and such provision should always require at least that advance notice be given in a specified manner, and that the amendment be approved by a twothirds vote” (p. 580, l. 25 to p. 581, l. 3). However, it goes on to say, “If the bylaws contain no provision for their amendment, they can be amended by a two-thirds vote if previous notice (in the sense defined on p. 121) has been given, or they can be amended by a majority vote of the entire membership” (p. 581, ll. 3-7). In this case, the bylaws do not require that the amendment be approved by a two-thirds vote. Therefore, it can be approved by a majority vote of the entire membership. Since thirteen members voted in favor of the amendment and since thirteen members constitute a majority of the entire membership, their vote is sufficient to adopt the amendment. Question 2: As part of its bi-centennial celebration the city of Big Rapids has asked every service club in the community to donate $50 per member to fund the construction of a bi-centennial park in the heart of the city. Several members of the Friends of the Library would like for their organization to participate in this endeavor; however, the sole stated purposes of Friends of
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continued
the Library are to raise money for the library and to provide summer reading programs for the community’s children. What recourse does a member have if he wishes to move to make the donation, even though such an action is clearly falls outside the organization’s object? Answer: An organization can take an action that falls outside its stated object. However, a two-thirds vote is required “to allow the introduction of a motion that falls outside the society’s object” [RONR (11th ed.), p. 571, ll.8-9]. Therefore, the member should move that he be allowed to introduce a motion to have Friends of the Library donate $50 per member to fund the construction of a bicentennial park in the heart of the city. If this motion is adopted by a two-thirds vote, the member could then move that Friends of the Library make the requested donation.
other board members have. Also, like the other board members, she is counted in determining a quorum. Similarly, when she is serving ex officio as a member of her society’s committees, the president has all of the rights that other committee members have. However, she does not have the same obligations that they have. RONR states, “When the bylaws provide that the president shall be ex officio a member of all committees (or of all committees with the stated exception of those from which the president is best excluded; see pp. 579-80), the president is an ex-officio member who has the right, but not the obligation, to participate in the proceedings of the committees, and he is not counted in determining the number required for a quorum or whether a quorum is present at a meeting” (p. 497, ll. 22-29).
SENATE GAVEL
Question 3: What are the president’s rights and obligations when she is serving as a member of her society’s executive board and how do they differ from her rights and obligations when she s serving ex officio as a member of her society’s committees? Answer: RONR states, “In ordinary societies having executive boards . . . the president and the secretary serve in the same capacities within the board (and the executive committee, if there is one), unless the bylaws provide otherwise” (p. 484, ll. 22-26). Thus, the president has the rights and obligations of the presiding officer as well as all of the other rights and obligations that the
After the original ivory gavel shattered during a heated, late-night Senate session in 1954, the Republic of India offered to replace it, On November 17, 1954, the vice-president of India presented the US with a new ivory, hourglassshaped gavel, hoping the instrument would inspire senators to debate “with freedom from passion and prejudice.” The replacement gavel is a replica of the original with the addition of a floral band carved around the center.
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The Florida Parliamentarian
Notice of Bylaws and Standing Rules Amendments The following bylaw and standing rules amendments are hereby submitted: Additions are double underscored, deletions are stricken through BYLAWS 1. ARTICLE III – MEMBERS, Section 3, [should be Section 1] c. Student All references to Student in this paragraph are to be stricken and replaced with Provisional. If this amendment passes, the following paragraphs shall have the same amendment: ARTICLE IV – STRUCTURE, Section 2. Study Club, paragraph a.; ARTICLE V – FINANCES, Section 1. Annual Dues, a. (4) Students; c., d.,g. 2. ARTICLE XI – DELEGATES, Section 1. NAP Representation, d. One Three delegates and two alternates. The delegates and alternates shall be elected at the annual FSAP convention in the oddnumbered years. Nominations shall be from the floor, and a plurality shall elect. The one (1) three (3) receiving the highest number of votes shall be the delegates, and the two receiving the next highest number of votes shall be the alternates. 3. Correction of error: ARTICLE XI – DELEGATES, Section 2. Vacancies Article XII should be Article XI. STANDING RULES 1. All references to students shall be replaced by provisionals. All reference to classroom student(s) will remain unchanged. Six references to student(s) found in Standing Rules to change to provisionals:
GENERAL RULES, 3., b.
UNIT/STUDY CLUB, 1.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS, 3. 2nd VP, d., (1)
DUTIES OF OFFICERS, 3. 2nd VP, f., (3)
DUTIES OF OFFICERS, 3. 2nd VP, f., (4)
DUTIES OF OFFICERS, 5. Corresponding Secretary, c.
2. STATE MEETINGS Add 6. The hotel room for the meeting coordinator shall be paid by FSAP. 3. DUTIES OF COMMITTEES 2. The Book Service Committee shall keep an accurate inventory of all materials for sale, forward to the FSAP treasurer within 14 days all monies with an itemized report of the receipts, submit bills to the president, have NAP and FSAP approved materials for sale at all FSAP functions, and promptly fill mail orders for FSAP materials.
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REMEMBERING PAST PRESIDENTS Eugene K. “Gene” Coy, 89, peacefully passed away on Feb. 21, 2017. He was married to his wife, Patricia, for 68 years. Gene was president of FSAP in 20092011. At the time of his passing he was a Professional Registered Parliamentarian Retired. He also served as president of the Charlotte County Parliamentary Unit for many years. He was a dedicated Elf Khurafeh Shriner, a member of the Masonic North Newburg Lodge 161, and past president of the Peace River Palm Shores social club. Donations in his memory to the Shriners Children Hospital or Tidewell Hospice of Charlotte County would be appreciated. Mary Scull Brown parted this life peacefully after 101 years July 8, 2017. Mary was a Professional Registered Parliamentarian (PRP) and member of the National Association of Parliamentarians until 2013. She served as FSAP President in 1993-1995, and was book service chairman for decades. She was a member and officer of the South Dade Parliamentary Unit as well. She provided her parliamentary expertise wherever she could, including mentoring high schoolers for parliamentary competitions. Donations to Mary’s favorite organizations are appreciated.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS AND DIRECTORY UPDATE Welcome to New NAP Members Patsy Adkins, 4970 City Hall Blvd., North Port, FL 34286; 941-429-7056; padkins@cityofnorthport.com; CCPU Alvin L. Gainey, Jr. REG (786) 985-0932 algainey23@aol.com P.O. Box 473324 Miami FL 33247, Plato Nancy Lee Lawther REG (305) 607-3837 nllawther@gmail.com 9140 SW 59 Ave. Miami FL 33156, Plato Jacqueline A. Moore REG (321) 242-6799 1998 Blue Heron Dr. Melbourne FL 32940, Apollo XI Kyle Patrick Collins STU (904) 318-9864 kcollins94@knights.ucf.edu 1825 R. Street NW Wn. DC 20009, MAL James L. Crosby REG Wakulla Correct. Inst. #J30110 110 Melalveca Dr. Crawfordville FL 32327, MAL Welcome to New Provisionals Pat Bankhead, 102 Riverside Dr. #201, Cocoa, FL 33922; 253-350-9849; pbankhead@gmail.com; Apollo XI Donnette Hilton, 140 Greenwing Trl, Titusville, FL 32780; 321-567-4178; speakk1@aol.com; Apollo XI Irene Matthews, 1313 E. Conover St., Tampa, FL, 33603; 813-361-5173; matthews1313@yahoo.com; Florida Alpha Janice Moore, 220 Maple Dr., Satellite Beach, FL 32937; 321-777-4842; Apollo XI Emily Rogers, 801 W. Alfred St., Tampa, FL 33603; 815-957-3204; e.rogers@firstsource1.com; Florida Alpha In Memoriam: MaryScull Brown, PRP, Past President of FSAP Dave Gruman, PRP, Charlotte County Parliamentarians Unit, Past Treasurer of FSAP Rachel Mudge Veitch, PRP, MAL
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The Florida Parliamentarian
FSAP Motto: Let All Things Be Done Decently and In Order by Ann Guiberson, PRP The Florida State Association of Parliamentarians was chartered with the National Association of Parliamentarians on October 1, 1953. Our first president was Dr. Herberta Ann Leonardy, who served from 1953 to 1955. She was an active member and a registered parliamentarian long before the state association was organized. Back then, there was no membership test required to join, only an application and $2.50 dues. It’s not clear when the motto, “Let all things be done decently and in order,” was adopted as FSAP’s motto. But in the 1953 NP, Mrs. Herbert L. Mantz, President, wrote an article with that title, saying: The last verse in the fourteenth chapter of I Corinthians is an appropriate slogan for 1953 whether it be in our new set-up in the federal government or the current regime of the National Association of Parliamentarians. One does not have to be a parliamentarian to appreciate ORDER.
One does not have to be a parliamentarian in today’s world to appreciate ORDER and ONE THING AT A TIME. No one wishes to imitate the early statesman of whom it was said that ‘he came out of his house, jumped on his horse and rode off in all directions.’
That adverb ‘decently’ has real parliamentary connotation. Webster’s New International dictionary defines it “with a sense of fitness in word or behavior in relation to an accepted standard’ or ‘showing a sense of fitness, especially in unusual courtesy.’ Will you join your president in an earnest vow to strive anew...to do all things required of us in decency and in order? In 1948, a special United Nations bus was returning visitors from Lake Success and the session of the Human Rights Commission to New York, when the conversation turned to what one thing the world most needed. Various virtues and platitudes were offered…. At length, one man stated that there was one thing that was in the reasonable grasp of everyone—regardless of race, creed or condition of life. It was COURTESY. Understanding, friendship and brotherly love are well-nigh impossible to men of different ideologies and traditions, but courtesy to one another, even to our enemies, IS humanly possible. On that common ground men can meet to discuss their differences, he said. Harboring all the experiences of that day, this writer began analyzing situations of contention and she has yet to find one that could not be relieved, improved or solved by the exercise of courtesy on the part of the contenders. That one thing the world most needs in childhood terminology is called the Golden Rule. NAP, true to its trust, is the dispensing agent of that necessary commodity, courtesy.” FSAP, too, has a long tradition of decency and order. What a great legacy!
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Gavel to Gavel by Ann Guiberson, PRP When you think of meetings, what is the first image that comes to your mind? Perhaps you think of a room full of people or you might picture a person standing at a lectern. It’s very likely that many of us will think of a gavel. Have you ever wondered why we use a gavel and how did it get started as a custom? As early as the 1500’s, a maul was used in Masonic Lodges in England to maintain order in meetings. It stood upright when the meeting was in session and was laid on its side when in recess. It began to be referred to as a gavel during this time. By the 1700s the gavel became smaller in size and was usually made of a hard wood. The use of a hammer to keep order was common in medieval institutions such as an Elizabethan guild in Exeter where, "the governor having a small hammer in his hands made for the purpose, when he will have scilence to be hadd shall knocke the same upon the Borde, and who so ever do talke after the second stroke to paye without redempcion two pence." (sic) (AQC, XL) According to tradition, John Adams used a gavel to call the very first Senate to order in New York in the spring of 1789. Since then, it has remained customary to tap the gavel to indicate the opening (call to order) and the closing (adjournment) of meeting. This may be where the term, gavel-to-gavel came about to describe the entire meeting or session. A gavel may be used in meetings of a deliberative assembly. According to Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, the gavel may be used to signify a recess (p. 233) or an adjournment (p. 242). It may never be used to drown out a disorderly member (p. 645). RONR does not mention using the gavel to call a meeting to order. Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure states that, in addition to an optional light tap after a vote, there are three other uses of a gavel: To attract attention and call a meeting to order. In most organizations, two raps raise and one rap seats the assembly; in others, two raps raise and three raps seat it. To maintain order and restore it when breached in the course of the proceedings. (Rap the gavel once, but vigorously.) To be handed over to successors in office or to officiating officers as ceremonials, etc. (Always extend the holding end.) Demeter and RONR agree that banging the gavel in an attempt to drown out a disorderly member is not in order. Demeter adds: “In this situation, the chair should give one vigorous tap at a time at intervals.[ Also, the chair should not lean on the gavel, juggle or toy with it, or use it to challenge or threaten or to emphasize remarks.” According to RONR, the chair should not "gavel through" a measure by cutting off members and quickly putting a question to a vote before any member can get the floor (in this connection, the chair should not use the gavel to improperly signify the end of consideration of a question). (p. 387)
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The Florida Parliamentarian
HENRY M. ROBERT’S DAY FEATURES WORKSHOPS Bylaws – Rules, Rules, Rules presented by Linda Laurendeau In this presentation you will learn the basics of an organization’s bylaws. We will journey through the need to function efficiently and explore the most important content of bylaws; how to get started and what to include. This presentation is recommended for someone just starting their parliamentary journey or for anyone who just wants a refresher.
Hat of Money presented by Karen Price How well do you know and remember the ABC’s of RONR? Join in the class participation in this fun game for all levels. You may win some of the “hat money.”
Committees—The Parliamentary Workhorse presented by Julie Palm, PRP You’ve agreed to chair a committee or be a member of a committee. What’s next? How are committees organized, what rules do they follow, and how do they report, and to whom? Learn how committees can save time and make your meetings more efficient.
History, Etiquette, and Proper Folding of the Flag of the United States of America presented by Linda Laurendeau Learn the history, the symbolism, elements of respect and how to properly display and fold the flag of the United States of America. Who chose the colors, how you display a flag over a street, how many flags has our nation had and so much more is presented in this fact-filled presentation ending with a flag folding ceremony
FSAP WEBSITE GETS A NEW LOOK The FSAP website has been updated and launched in July with a brand-new look. There are several new features as well as refreshed familiar page. New items include fun quizzes and a question/answer forum. Log on and explore your new website today! www.flparliamentarian.com
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HENRY M. ROBERT’S DAY REGISTRATION FORM FLORIDA STATE ASSOCIATION OF PARLIAMENTARIANS Fall Meeting and Henry M. Robert’s Day Embassy Suites, 10220 Palm River Road, Brandon, FL October 20-22, 2017 NAME__________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________________________ (Street)
(City)
(State)
(Zip)
PHONE________________ CELL______________ EMAIL_______________________________________ UNIT______ MAL_______ MEMBER _______ GUEST _______ FSAP Office/Chairmanship Held____________________________________________________________ Unit Office/Chairmanship Held ____________________________________________________________ NAP/District III Office/Chairmanship Held___________________________________________________ REGISTRATION FEE: Includes Saturday Lunch
$69
________
STUDENT REGISTRATION FEE:
$35
___________
GUEST LUNCH:
$30
________
TOTAL:
$ ________
Please select your lunch choice: Roaster Herb Chicken Bourbon Glazed Sirloin I need a vegan or vegetarian meal Special Dietary Needs _________________________________________________________________ Payment: Make check payable to FSAP and mail to: Kay Stephens, 2946 Golden View Lane, Orlando, FL 32812-5984 Email: stephensmk@bellsouth.net Telephone: 407-658-9779 Advance Registration Deadline: October 13, 2017
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Embassy Suites Brandon 10220 Palm River Road Brandon, Florida 33619 Phone: 813-653-1905 October 20-22, 2017 HOTEL RESERVATION FORM (Telephone or mail directly to hotel. Please print) NAME______________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS___________________________________________________________________________ (Street) (City) (State) (Zip) PHONE _______________ CELL _______________ EMAIL_________________________________ ARRIVAL DATE______________________
DEPARTURE DATE ___________________________
ROOM RATE: $119.00 per night plus applicable state and local taxes. (All rooms are suites, breakfast and afternoon reception is included) GUARANTEE: Submit one night’s deposit or fill out the following information: American Express
Discover
Master Card ___Visa
Credit Card # Expiration Date: Signature: Room rate is available October 17-25, 2017 Deadline for room rate guarantee: 5 p m , September 26, 2017 Group Code: ROB Reservation online: http://bit.ly/FSAPFall