National Parliamentarian (Vol. 79, No. 3)

NP

Volume 79, No. 3 | Spring 2018

National Parliamentarian

Your Education, Your Way

Winning Strategies for Youth page 5 Buffalo Here We Come page 17 Webinars page 31

NP Parliamentary Resources

2017-2019 NAP Officers

at Your Fingertips

President James N. Jones, PRP

Secretary Kevin R. Connelly, PRP

Browse our online store for

Directors-at-Large Joyce Brown-Watkins, PRP Ann Rempel, PRP Alison Wallis, PRP

• Basic information handouts • Script samples • Leadership primers for officers • Credentialing study guides

Treasurer Wanda M. Sims, PRP

District Director Representatives Roger Hanshaw, PRP Larry Martin, PRP Parliamentarian James H. Stewart, PRP Executive Director Cynthia Launchbaugh

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Contents President’s Message Your Education, Your Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

There is only one place to turn for your parliamentary resources: NAP.

• Parliamentary reference cards

Volume 79, No. 3 | Spring 2018

From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Vice-President Darlene T. Allen, PRP

• Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised and In Brief – we offer spiral-bound versions not available anywhere else!

National Parliamentarian

NAP’s Vision: To provide parliamentary leadership to the world

Features Winning Strategies for Parliamentary Youth Competitions . . 5 Words of Wisdom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Using a Ladder for the Order of Precedence For Motions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 For Want of a Comma, An Appeal Was Won . . . . . . . . . . . 12 What is the CRUX of the Matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Special Section 2018 NAP National Training Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 NAP Training Conference: Learn. Explore. Connect . . 17 Schedule at a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Explore Buffalo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 How to Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Where to Stay & How to Get There . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Education Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Presiding Laboratory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Leadership Conference 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Departments Test Yourself Questions & Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Are They – or Aren’t They in RONR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 NAP Connections Association Relations Committee Webinars . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Report from the February Board of Directors’ Meeting . . . 32 Niagara Falls Sightseeing Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Transferring Knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 New Registered Parliamentarians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Philadelphia Area Units Host Joint Parliamentary Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Kalamazoo Unit Celebrates 70 Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 www.parliamentarians.org

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National Parliamentarian

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Volume 79, No. 4 (Summer 2018) . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 1, 2018 Volume 80, No. 1 . . . . . . . . . August 1, 2018 (Fall 2018) Volume 80, No. 2 (Winter 2019) . . . . . . . . . November 1, 2018

Editor

Ann Iona Warner npeditor@nap2.org

Assistant Editor

Betty Tunstall, PRP

Parliamentary Review Committee Schmuel Gerber, PRP Paul McClintock, PRP

Editorial Team

John R. Berg, PRP Lisa Zwarm, PRP

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Annual subscription: $30 • Single copy: $8

From the Editor

Parliamentarians not only like going to meetings, they also like learning.

President Jones column talks about the many educational opportunities that are coming to NAP. And there is useful information for those who might be interested in working with high school parliamentary competition teams.

Our articles provide a fresh way to look at parliamentary ideas. There is a standard ladder for tracking the precedence of motions. There is a grammar lesson in the use of commas. There are more tips to help save time at meetings.

There is a fresh way to look at determining which motion is appropriate to use.

Seasoned professionals can use these tips to update their skills. Those new to parliamentary procedure can use these as a basic learning tool.

Ann Warner 2

National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

President’s Message

Your Education, Your Way “Enduring great companies preserve their core values and purpose while their business strategies and operating practices endlessly adapt to a changing world.”

— Jim Collins, Good to Great

Learning is changing. Whether it be e-learning, mobile applications, or mini-courses, the world around us is quickly changing as is the way it seeks to learn new things. For this reason, how the National Association of Parliamentarians approaches meeting its mission of providing parliamentary knowledge to the world must reflect a new way of thinking and an appreciation for the individual nature of learning.

The Education Cluster leads NAP’s plans to develop new approaches to parliamentary and leadership learning. This cluster consists of the Educational Resources Committee, Membership and Registration Examiners Committee, Quarterly Lessons Committee, Independent Study Course team, and Professional Development Committee. Over the past several months, these groups have been busy updating existing publications and programs while developing new materials that meet the evolving needs of our members and the public.

Together they seek to keep NAP as a parliamentary leader in the rapidly changing learning environment of an increasingly global and digital world This year the number of online courses offered at all levels will increase. This is a cost-effective way for our members and the public to pursue their educational goals, remain current in their parliamentary knowledge, and for our credentialed members to earn continuing education credit. These eLearning selections will be housed in NAP’s online Knowledge Center and will offer facilitated courses as well as on-demand opportunities.

Additionally, an innovative leadership development program is being implemented. It is designed to allow participants to not just learn theory but have an immediate impact on their own organizations. The Rising STAR program (Skills, Talents, www.parliamentarians.org

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Awards and Recognition) is a great way for existing and aspiring leaders to gain experiential knowledge while also sharing thoughts with like-minded individuals and groups. The program will create a robust network the learners may leverage later in their leadership journey.

The Quarterly Lessons Committee has created a new parliamentary lesson subscription program – Parliamentary Practices. Each quarter new low-cost introductory to intermediate level courses will be available to help those who prefer a more structured approach to learning. These courses are perfect for unit lessons or individual study and include suggested activities to help learners absorb the lessons.

Finally, a process has begun to develop a cadre of instructors trained on NAP’s Body of Knowledge. They will provide a firm foundation for the future direction of NAP’s educational efforts.

By year’s end more than 2 new instructors will be added to NAP’s instructor corps. These additions will increase NAP’s ability to consistently engage learners in quality parliamentary and leadership instruction.

This diverse array of educational programs empowers NAP members and the public to determine how they wish to manage their own learning paths. Whether in person or online, facilitated or recorded, in search of credentials or seeking professional development: NAP is the source for all your parliamentary education needs. Review everything NAP has to offer and make plans for how NAP can best help you on your parliamentary journey.

James “Jim” Jones PRP, CPP-T 44th NAP President, 2017-2019

Winning Strategies for Parliamentary Youth Competitions

By Judith Reynolds, PRP

Many youth groups grapple with two components in their parliamentary competitions – individual objective tests and a team demonstration of a gavel-to-gavel meeting presented in 15 minutes or less. I draw my experience from the two Business Professionals of America (BPA) teams I coached.

The first high school parliamentary team sought me out in 2008 for what I thought was a two-month commitment. It lasted three years. In the previous year, on their own as freshmen, the team came up short at the state competition where only the top two teams go on to nationals. I had recently squeaked through the National Association of Parliamentarians’ Professional Qualifying Course, so this became an opportunity to hone and expand my skills. I met with the team frequently during our first year, less often during the second year, and rarely during the last year when the seniors knew enough to coach the newbies. The team went to nationals all three years.

In 2015 it was deja vu when another BPA team called me after they had not qualified for nationals in the previous year. Since they had a good foundation and I had streamlined the process, we met considerably less often. Now that they have moved on, I am free to share some of the strategies we developed.

TIPS for Acing the Objective Test I Read RONR-IB. Before tackling the 700+ page Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR), read Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief (RONR-IB). It is short, cheap, written by the RONR authorship team, and packed with pertinent information that is written simply.

II

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

Test (and Re-test) and Score Effortlessly. Have a bank of questions for practice. Make a condensed answer sheet for the practice questions so the sections may be taken and scored quickly. Question banks are available through sites such as the Parliamentary Procedure Instructional Materials Center (parlipro.northwest.net) and NAP (www.parliamentarians.org) a) Make 5-10 copies of the questions bank for each team member for retesting purposes. b) Answer 25-50 questions daily. www.parliamentarians.org

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c) Try to understand the rationale for the correct answers by reading the appropriate pages in RONR. d) As you read RONR, underline with pencil the first two words in each sentence.

III Study Doris Abbate’s Basic Exam Cram. This was published in the National Parliamentarian, 1st Quarter 2009 and offers mnemonics for many basic concepts involving lists.

STRATEGIES for “Demo-ing” a Great Meeting I Nail the Ceremonies. The opening and closing ceremonies should be perfectly executed.

II

Optimize Your 3x5 Card. If your competition allows members to prepare a 3x5 “cheat sheet” during the prep time, use it wisely. a) Fold it in half, creating four sections to the card. Devote one section to each of the three main motions with one section left for anything else. b) Write main motions and amendments word-for-word. c) Write the initials of the team member making the motion. d) For each motion use shorthand to note whether it (a) needs a second, (b) is debatable and/or amendable, and (c) if the vote required to adopt is a majority, 2/3, or if it is decided by, or immediately acted upon by the chair. For example. i) Main motions can be S~D/A~M ii) A primary amendment is S~D/A~M but a secondary amendment is S~D/NA~M iii) Previous Question is S~ND/NA~2/3 iv) Division of the Assembly is NS~ND/NA~C v) Appeal is S~D/NA~M or a tie sustains the decision of the chair. e) During the demonstration meeting, cradle the card low in two hands so it doesn’t detract.

III Enlist a Dedicated Presider (or two). a) Your chairman should be devoted to getting parliamentary verbiage exactly right. b) Start with the scripts for the common motions, many of which are in the tinted pages of RONR-IB. c) For the others, look for sample scripts in RONR and in Presidentially Speaking from the National Association of Parliamentarian’s Pathways to Proficiency series. d) Most motions are S~D/A~M. If a motion is different, the chair can say this after stating the motion and before calling on the maker.

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

e) Know and follow these six-plus-one basic steps for handling a motion: (1) move, (2) second, (3) state, (4) debate, (5) put (to a vote), (6) announce the results – adopted, defeated, and effects if adopted, plus (7) what comes next, “Is there any further new business?”

IV Specialize. Members should specialize. Practice using scripts taken from the tinted pages in RONR-IB and RONR (Table III). a) Everyone can make main motions: “I move that/to . . . .” b) Someone can specialize in the different forms of amendment, including secondary amendments. c) Another can be expert in the six other subsidiary motions d) Someone else can make all five privileged motions. e) Other team members can divide the incidental motions. f) Give the secretary an easy assignment because he/she also has to write the minutes.

V

Plan Ahead for Disposition of Motions. Figure out the purpose of each motion and know whether to adopt or defeat it. a) Adopt all main motions. Adopt all secondary motions (amend, limit debate, previous question) except those that interfere with adoption of the main motion (see b below) and those that don’t make sense (such as fix-the-time-to-which-to-adjourn). b) Defeat motions that interfere with the processing of the motion. These include postpone indefinitely, postpone, refer, lay on the table, recess, adjourn, and object to consideration. c) The chair always rules correctly, so the vote on an appeal should always be in favor of sustaining the chair’s decision.

VI Everyone Seconds. Everyone except the chair seconds all motions requiring a second.

VII Present a Great Debate. a) After the maker debates, everyone except the mover calls out “Mr./Madam President.” b) At least three members speak to each debatable motion. i) To adopt, two or more debate pro and one con. ii) To defeat, two or more are con and one is pro. c) During each debate speech, use this three-part formula i) State your position on the motion: “I speak in favor” or “I speak in opposition to the motion…” ii) Then give your rationale, “…because…” iii) Then conclude with something like, “… therefore, I encourage/urge you to vote with me to adopt/defeat the motion.” www.parliamentarians.org

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VIII Write Right Minutes. Study the short chapters on minutes in RONR-IB and RONR. a) Your minutes should have five paragraphs. i) Memorize what goes in the first paragraph. The following paragraph has the required components: “The regular meeting of the Business Professionals of America was called to order at ___. on ________, 2018, by the president with the secretary present. The reading of the minutes of the previous meeting was dispensed with by general consent.” (Don’t reveal the name of your school) ii) Devote one paragraph to each of the three main motions, using the language as adopted and any secondary motions that should be recorded. Leave a blank line between each paragraph. iii) The last paragraph is the time of adjournment. “The meeting adjourned at _____.” b) Sign the minutes with your name and “Secretary” below.

IX Follow a Long-Range Plan. a) For regional competitions, i) Practice scenarios for the 13 ranking motions, about 10 of the more common/easy incidental motions listed in RONR, and Rescind/ Amend Something Previously Adopted from the “bring-back motions.” ii) Reference the scripts in RONR-IB for 20 of the most common motions. For the rest, use RONR and NAP’s Presidentially Speaking. iii) Use precise language and don’t vary. iv) Study and start practicing the less-common incidental motions. b) For state and national competitions, focus on the more complicated and obscure incidental motions. c) Get BPA demonstration assignments (regional, state, national) from previous years and use them to practice the appropriate level.

X

Find a Parliamentarian to Be Your Coach. a) See the following “Words of Wisdom” for a team’s advice. b) Contact NAP to help find a credentialed parliamentarian or NAP member in your area.

Judith Reynolds, PRP, is a former high school chemistry teacher, who became a PRP in 2008. She enjoys developing parliamentary study materials and coaching high school parliamentary teams.

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

Words of Wisdom The Neuqua Valley High School Business Professionals of American 2016-2017 parliamentary team offers the following observations on their journey as a competition team.

Starting sophomore year of high school as an entry-level parliamentary team was a disconcerting experience. Without much prior knowledge of the subject we had limited success in effectively communicating parliamentary procedure.

Part of the problem was that members had little experience with the main concepts – motions, meetings and rules.

Reading Robert’s Rules of Order was difficult because of its size and complexity. We did manage to scrape together a basic understanding of

motions, amendments, etc. but missed crucial more advanced information.

For our junior year the team sought out a coach who could furnish context to the difficult motions required at higher levels of competition. The main benefits were twofold: the coach provided minor adjustments in our performance and led us through rigorous practice of complicated scenarios.

Our combined efforts took us to the top of our game and into the top 10 at nationals. Ultimately the most beneficial decision the team made was to work with a coach.

Neuqua Valley High School Business Professionals of America 2016-2017 parliamentary team, Rishi Kalluri (president), Tejas Gajula, Vijay Klein, Chinmai Nayyar, Vishal Patel, Aarij Rehman, Abishek Venkat. www.parliamentarians.org

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How the Ladder Works After a main motion is made and seconded, motions may be made on a higher “step” of the ladder. For example, when a main motion (#1) is pending or “on the floor” (i.e., has been stated by the chair and is ready for consideration by the assembly), an amendment (#3) may be made and seconded, followed by a motion to recess (#11). The three motions are voted on in the reverse order of their placement on the ladder. The last motion made is the first one voted on; thus, recess is voted on first, amend second, and finally the main motion. In most cases, a lower-ranking motion cannot be made when a higher-ranking motion is pending.

For example, when the motion to recess (#11) is pending, the motion to postpone indefinitely (#2) cannot be made because it is on a lower “step” of the ladder and is “out of order.” See the footnotes* on page 11 for exceptions when using previous question and amend.

Shane D. Dunbar, MEd, PRP, PAP, is a “retired” high school FFA Advisor and assistant principal who has conducted over 540 parliamentary procedure workshops nationwide, mainly for secondary school teachers and students. He also served as Treasurer for the Washington State Association of Parliamentarians. Currently he serves as the parliamentarian for the Society for Agricultural Education Parliamentarians. He trained FFA teams that placed third and first in national parliamentary competition and has written tests and judged secondary school and collegiate contests at the national and state levels. He has more than 15 copyrights dealing with instructional materials that can be reviewed on www.northwest.net/parli-pro.

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

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COMMIT OR REFER (S) (A) (M) AMEND*** (S) (A) (M)

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Using a Ladder for the Order of Precedence For Motions

D E B A T A B L E

O R D E R O F

M O T I O N S

The Previous Question can be applied to all motions that are amendable and/or debatable, including those that have a higher rank. * Amend can be applied to higher-ranking motions as shown by “(A)” on the ladder. ** If made a special order, requires a two-thirds vote. *** An amendment is not debatable when applied to an undebatable motion, and it is not amendable when applied to another amendment.

(I) May interrupt speaker • (S) Second required • (A) Amendable • (M) Majority Vote (2/3) Two-thirds Vote • (C) Chair Grants • (NV) No Vote Required www.parliamentarians.org

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For Want of a Comma, An Appeal Was Won

By Russell A. Guthrie, PRP

Last spring, the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals found a missing comma to be critical in a lawsuit involving a group of dairy drivers seeking overtime against their employer.

O’Connor v. Oakhurst Dairy was dismissed at the district level but reinstated when the Court of Appeals reversed the summary judgement of the district court. The focus of the lawsuit for unpaid overtime wages centered on a Maine labor law [26 M.R.S.A. § 664(3)]. The referenced statute stated: “ . . . the protection of the overtime law does not apply to: The canning, processing, preserving, freezing, drying, marketing, storing, packing for shipment or distribution of: (1) Agricultural produce; (2) Meat and fish products; and (3) Perishable foods.”

The crux of the lawsuit centers on the use, or lack, of a comma in Maine’s statute.

In decades past, students were taught that a comma was not required before the last item in a list; e.g., Papers were distributed to John, Mary, George and Paul. Indeed, the 1968 Handbook of Current English states, “General usage is divided, but informal usage . . . usually omits the 12

National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

final comma if no misinterpretation is possible.” (Perrin, et al. 155) This was the general style incorporated in the Maine Legislative Drafting Manual (2009) when it states, “Although authorities on punctuation may differ, when drafting Maine law or rules, don’t use a comma between the penultimate and the last item of a series.” (113) In O’Connor v. Oakhurst Dairy, the Circuit Court of Appeals found that, without a comma after shipment, the statute’s list can be construed to end with packing as the final activity exempted. The dairy drivers argued that they did not pack, they distributed, and the exemption did not include them. The appeals court agreed with the drivers, reversing the lower court’s decision and reinstating the lawsuit.

Let this be a lesson for parliamentarians. Many current writing guidelines recommend using what is known as the Oxford comma in composing a sentence that contains a series; e.g., one should consistently insert a comma before the last item in a series. Doing so reduces the possibility of misinterpretation. When writing or editing bylaws, it is safer

to use the Oxford comma so that no ambiguity may be created for want of punctuation.

As one might expect, the Maine

legislature amended the overtime statute last year. They changed the commas to semicolons and added a semicolon after shipment.

References O’Connor v. Oakhurst Dairy, No. 16-1901 (1st Cir. 2017) Hacker, Diane, and Nancy Summers. 2015. A Writer’s Reference with Exercises (8th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Legislative Council, Maine State Legislature. 2009. Maine Legislative Drafting Manual. Augusta, Maine: Office of the Reviser of Statutes, State House, Station 7. https://maine.gov/legis/ros/manual/Draftman2009.pdf Perrin, Porter G., George H. Smith, and Jim W. Corder. 1968. Handbook of Current English (3rd ed.). Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman and Company.

www.parliamentarians.org

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What is the

Crux of the Matter

By Michael Swift, PRP

Recently I have listened to and read several arguments involving issues about a “point of order,” an “appeal,” and “reconsider.” These arguments frequently involved in depth analyses of certain subtleties of parliamentary procedure properly cited by page and line numbers in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (RONR). The citations went into considerable detail, in varying sequences, about whether something could be debated, appealed, and/or reconsidered.

Setting aside, for the moment, the eight “Standard Descriptive Characteristics,” the “Further Rules and Explanation,” and the “Form and Example” in each of the sections, consider a few fundamental points about each matter. The crux of the matter, the basic or essential thing, in determining the proper parliamentary procedure is frequently found in the basic form and the sequence. Form and sequence are two fundamentals that can have a profound effect as to what is the proper parliamentary procedure on any given matter at any instant in time. Starting an argument with the basic form and sequence makes the initial approach as simple as possible. As parliamentarians we should use the proper parliamentary form, do one thing at a time, and do it in sequence. This will often allow us to get to the crux of the matter.

Consider the proper forms used in making motions given in Table III in Sample Forms Used in Making Motions on RONR tinted pages 30-39.

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

There are distinctions between “I move,” “I rise,” and “I call,” and each must be done one at a time in sequence. These distinctions need to be taken into consideration when determining the proper procedure to be followed at any given time.

Of the 86 forms listed in Table III, the following are not in the form “I move:” 18, 22, 34, 37, 43, 49, 54, 56, 59, 60, 67, and 75.

First consider “§23. Point of Order,” which is number 59 in Table III. One form given is “Point of order!” and another form is “I rise to a point of order.” Unlike many of the other forms described in Table III, this form is not “I move.” Unlike regular motions, a point of order is not moved by a member, is not seconded by a member, is not stated by the chair, and the chair never puts the question on the adoption of the motion a point of order to the assembly. Under these conditions, point of order is not before the assembly; therefore, the assembly does

not make a decision on the point of order. In response to either of the above forms, the chair is called upon for a ruling and an enforcement of the regular rules. Until now, the assembly has not been involved in the procedure. Once the chair rules on the point of order, the assembly is involved in that it must either immediately sustain the ruling of the chair with its silence, or immediately appeal from the decision of the chair. There is nothing available to reconsider until after the vote on an appeal from the ruling of the chair has been taken.

Now consider “§37. Reconsider,” which is number 73, in Table III. Unlike the section title, “Reconsider,” and the section’s introduction to the eight “Standard Descriptive Characteristics,” the motion to reconsider is not the motion and is not the form. The form is, “I move to reconsider the vote on the…” It is the vote, or decision of the assembly, that is to be reconsidered. Since, up to this time, there has been no motion before the assembly and no decision of the assembly by majority vote, there is nothing to reconsider the vote on, and nothing to debate. There is no debate without a motion. The general rules

against discussion without a motion is one of parliamentary procedures powerful tools for keeping business on track.

The conclusion is that a “point of order” cannot be debated, is not voted on, and therefore cannot be reconsidered. There is no reconsideration of the vote that was not taken on the motion because no question was put on it.

There being, at this time, no motion, no question, and no decision of the assembly consider Ҥ24.

Appeal,” which is number 18, in Table III. The form is not “I move,” but “I appeal from the decision of the chair.” Provided the point of order is raised promptly at the time of the breach, with exceptions a) through e) on page 251, and provided the assembly follows the eight “Standard Descriptive Characteristics” for an appeal, a question is now placed before the assembly. The chair, after stating clearly the exact question at issue, and the reason for his decision if he thinks an explanation necessary, states the question on the appeal as follows: “The question is: ‘Shall the decision of the chair stand as the decision of the assembly?” There is now a question before the assembly

“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.”

— Albert Einstein www.parliamentarians.org

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(which may or may not be debatable, according to characteristic 5), and the vote on the motion can be reconsidered, according to characteristic 8.

Before drawing any conclusions based on certain subtleties of proper parliamentary procedure, it is often a good idea to consider two very basic issues. The first issue is the question of form. Did a member “move,” “call,” “rise,” or “appeal”? The form is an indication as to whether one should research a series of citations dealing with proper parliamentary procedure.

The second issue is the question of sequence. Has the first event been dealt with before the next event is considered? Concluding the issues involved in the first event gives an indication of whether to continue with any issue on the next event.

Using the example of a “point of order” and taking the events seriatim will answer many procedural questions that might arise. Consider the following sequence: 1) When a member rises to a point of order, there is no motion before the assembly, there is no debate, and there is no decision of the

assembly on which to reconsider the vote; 2) When the chair rules on the point of order, there is no motion before the assembly, there is no debate, and there is no decision of the assembly on which to reconsider the vote; 3) When a member appeals from the decision of the chair, the chair puts the question, “Shall the decision of the chair stand as the decision of the assembly”? and 4) Now there is a question before the assembly, it is or is not debatable in accordance with the standard descriptive characteristics and the vote on the question can be reconsidered.

Before searching through RONR for the many complexities to the proper parliamentary procedure about a particular matter, first check two of the fundamentals: the form and the sequence. Often using the proper form and following the proper sequence will eliminate the need for an in-depth search of a lot of details.

Michael L. Swift, PRP, CPP-T, is a long credentialed parliamentarian and a frequent workshop instructor and author.

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

Training 2O18

NAPConference

September 7-9, 2018 • Buffalo, NY

NAP Training Conference: Learn. Explore. Connect.

What makes NAP’s training conference a not-to-miss event?

It’s the largest conference on parliamentary procedure in the country. It will offer the highest caliber of training available through 30-plus workshops and presentations taught by experts in the field.

Personalized learning through four specialized tracks that directly align with the established areas of competency identified for parliamentarians at all levels. Skill level and prerequisites will be identified making it easier to determine the best choices for you.

In-depth interactive learning such as the new Presiding Laboratory.

With coaching from the experts, you will be able to practice presiding relevant to your level of experience.

Round out the experience by making the most of your time in Buffalo and beautiful upstate New York. Niagara Falls isn’t the only attraction here. Buffalo is home to numerous sites of historical, architectural, and cultural interest. It also offers fun boutique shopping and is a foodie’s heaven.

Regardless of whether you are a volunteer parliamentarian or a professional registered parliamentarian, you and the organizations you serve deserve the best, which comes from investing in your continuing education. There’s always something new to learn at the

NAP Training Conference.

We look forward to seeing you in September.

www.parliamentarians.org

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2O18

NAPTraining Conference

September 7-9, 2018 • Buffalo, NY

Schedule at a Glance

2018 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE Schedule is subject to change

2018 PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS Schedule is subject to change

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Saturday, September 8, 2018 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. — Registration Open

NAP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES

4 p.m.-8 p.m. — NAP Board of Directors Meeting 6 p.m.-8 p.m. — Registration Open

Separate registration required

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Thursday, September 6, 2018

8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. — PRP Qualifying Course (PQC)

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. — NAP Board of Directors Meeting

8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. — PRP Renewal Course (PRC)

4 p.m.-8 p.m. — Registration Open

Thursday, September 6, 2018

5 p.m.-6 p.m. — First Timers’ Orientation

8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. — PRP Qualifying Course (PQC)

1 p.m.-6 p.m. — NAP Bookstore Open

8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. — PRP Renewal Course (PRC)

NAP LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Separate registration required

Wednesday, September 5, 2018 4 p.m.-8 p.m. — NAP Leadership Conference

Thursday, September 6, 2018

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. — Welcome Reception

The education is the best part – always something new to learn.

Friday, September 7, 2018 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. — Registration Open 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. — NAP Annual Meeting & Breakfast (included in registration) 9 a.m.-5 p.m. — NAP Bookstore Open

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. — NAP Leadership Conference

9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. — Educational Workshops

12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. — Leadership Lunch

11 a.m.-12 p.m. — Educational Workshops

NAP EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

12:15 p.m.-2 p.m. — Lunch (included in registration)

Thursday, September 6, 2018 8:00 a.m.-5 p.m. — NAPEF Niagara Falls Tour (ticket required)

8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. — Breakfast (included in registration) 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. — NAP Bookstore Open 9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. — Educational Workshops 11 a.m.-12 p.m. — Educational Workshops 12:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m. — Lunch with the Commission on Credentialing (included in registration) 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. — Educational Workshops 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m. — Canadian Wine Tasting Tour & Reception (separate registration & ticket required; will require a passport)

Sunday, September 9, 2018 7:30 a.m.-8:15 a.m. — Interfaith Inspirational Service 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. — Breakfast and 2019 Convention Preview (included in registration)

2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m. — Educational Workshops

8 a.m.-11:45 a.m. — Membership/RP Module Exams (requires separate application)

3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. — Educational Workshops

8:45 a.m.-10:45 p.m. — Presiding Laboratory 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. — NAP Bookstore Open 9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. — Educational Workshops 11 a.m.-12 p.m. — Educational Workshops

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

www.parliamentarians.org

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2O18

NAPTraining Conference

September 7-9, 2018 • Buffalo, NY

Explore Buffalo If you haven’t been to Buffalo recently, you don’t know what you’re missing.

The city has undergone a renaissance over the last few years. It has redeveloped the waterfront and revitalized neighborhoods and spawned a burgeoning craft beer scene.

According to The New York Times, which named Buffalo one of the 52 places to visit in 2018, “Buffalo is making a big comeback in large part by repurposing its historic buildings…

Downtown Buffalo now buzzes with life thanks in part to the ever-expanding Canalside entertainment and recreation complex and a host of new dining and drinking establishments.”

If you like architecture, you can visit seven Frank Lloyd Wright structures, including one of his crowning achievements, the Darwin Martin House. Take in the breathtaking view from the City Hall’s observation deck. (Be prepared to walk up three flights to reach the pinnacle.) The building is a stunning example of

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

Art Deco with beautiful murals in the grand lobby.

A great way to see the city is to take the OpenAirBuffalo autobus tour of the city’s historical and architectural attractions.

If you’re into history, board a river cruise into the city’s industrial past and visit the place where Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as president of the United States. It also has a rich, vibrant African-American heritage.

Experience big band jams at the historic Colored Musicians Club, the only remaining African-American club of its kind in the United States, where jazz legends like Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis once played.

Into craft beer? You’re going to love Buffalo, which is home to 26 craft breweries and six distilleries. (We hear wings go great with beer…)

Gotta get me some beef on weck!

For you foodies out there, Buffalo wings aren’t the only dishes the city is known for. If someone asks you about a “beef on weck,” don’t be alarmed. “Weck” is just shorthand for kimmelweck, a unique, salty roll with caraway. Add carved roast beef and horseradish and you have a beef on weck. (It also goes well with ice-cold beer, they say.) The Buffalo dining scene, however, is about more than wings, wecks, and beer. They also have an exciting collection of farm-to-table restaurants, eateries owned by “young, enthusiastic chefs,” and many ethnic restaurants from which to choose.

These are just highlights of Buffalo.

See www.bisitbuffaloniagara.com for more information.

Jazz, beer, wings, history – lots of fun things to do in Buffalo.

Come early and play!

Spend Labor Day in Buffalo at the National Buffalo Wing Festival

Don’t Forget Niagara Falls!

A visit to Buffalo MUST include a trip to the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls. Located about 30 miles northwest of Buffalo, many consider Niagara Falls to be one of the top natural wonders of the world.

You can visit the falls from either the New York side or the Canadian side. You’ll use the Rainbow Bridge to cross (remember to bring your passport). Do yourself a favor and visit both sides to get the full effect of the falls and the surrounding areas. www.parliamentarians.org

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2O18

NAPTraining Conference

September 7-9, 2018 • Buffalo, NY

How to Register

Where to Stay & How to Get There

Registering for the 2018 National Training Conference is easy.

Choose one of these convenient, secure options: • Register online • Register by mail or fax using the enclosed registration form • Register by calling 816.833.3892 Whichever method you use, be sure to register early and save!

Registration & Activity Fees Convention registration fees include all submitted handouts on a USB drive; welcome reception Thursday; buffet breakfast Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; buffet lunch Friday and Saturday; snacks and beverages during daily breaks.

One-day registration includes meals and breaks offered only on the selected day.

MEMBERS

NON-MEMBERS

$399 $450 $475

$450 $500 $525

FULL CONFERENCE Early Bird (by 6/1) Regular (6/1-7/31) On-site (after 7/31)

ONE-DAY CONFERENCE (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) Early Bird (by 6/1) Regular (6/1-7/31) On-site (after 7/31)

$225 $275 $300

ADDITIONAL FEES Printed Workshop Materials — $15/copy NAPEF Niagara Falls Tour (Thursday, Sept. 6) — $135

Cancellation Policy Registration refund requests must be received in writing by NAP Headquarters no later than August 15, 2018. A $75 cancellation fee will apply. No refunds will be issued for no-shows or cancellations received after August 15, 2018.

A $30 handling fee will be assessed for all returned checks.

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

The Hyatt Regency Buffalo, site of the 2018 NTC, is located right in the heart of the city, just a few blocks from the waterfront and many boutique shops and restaurants.

• Room rates for the 2018 NTC are $129 (plus taxes) The easiest way to reserve your room is online at www.parliamentarians.org/ 2018ntc/hotel. Or call Hyatt Central Reservations at 888.421.1442.

Be sure to say you are with the NAP Training Conference to get the discounted rates.

These rates are effective beginning Friday, September 1, thru Wednesday, September 12. The reservation deadline is August 6.

Transportation to and from the Airport Buffalo-Niagara International Airport is 9 miles from the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. You can arrange for Uber, Lyft, or a taxi to and from the airport. The Niagara Frontier Transit Authority (NFTA) runs an Airport-Downtown Express Shuttle that runs non-stop service between the airport and Buffalo’s central business district, making its first stop in front of the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. One-way fare (in most cases) is $2.50. Service runs weekdays, approximately every 30 minutes, during peak drive time.

If driving to the hotel, the hotel offers overnight valet parking for $25/day, which includes guest in and out privileges. Less expensive self-park options are available nearby with prices set by each lot.

Hyatt Regency Buffalo 2 Fountain Plaza Buffalo, NY 14202 www.hyattregency.com

Cool hotel in the heart of downtown – can’t wait to see you there! www.parliamentarians.org

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Leadership 2O18

2O18

NAPTraining Conference

September 7-9, 2018 • Buffalo, NY

Educational Sessions What to Expect NAP’s Training Conference is all about the education – and the networking.

The caliber and diversity of the education available at the conference can’t be found anywhere else. We’re confident you will take home at least one new idea or piece of knowledge.

Who can ask for more?

There will be more than 30 workshops for you to choose from this year.

Many – if not most – of them will be interactive, so come prepared to learn by doing. They will be categorized into four tracks: • Parliamentary Tool Box: Tips & Tricks – Hone your skills as a parliamentarian and better serve your organizations with these helpful, innovative tips and tricks.

• Professional Presiding – The actual meeting is only part of the planning required as a presiding officer.

• Technology – More and more, meetings are being conducted virtually and using a variety of technologies to get the job done.

Understand the tools and rules required to make an e-meeting successful.

• Parliamentary Potpourri – These are the great workshops that don’t fit into one of aforementioned tracks.

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

NAP Conference

NEW

September 6, 2018 • Buffalo, NY

Presiding Laboratory Do you need a safe space to practice presiding for the first time? Do you need more intense presiding practice? Or are you somewhere in between? Then the NTC Presiding Laboratory is the place for you. This opportunity will be provided at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Each participant will have time with a panel of experienced credentialed parliamentarians who will provide your practice opportunity along with useful feedback and presiding tips.

The Presiding Laboratory will offer you the opportunity to 1. think on your feet in a “life like” presiding setting; 2. demonstrate your knowledge of actions required of a presiding officer; 3. practice in a safe environment or strut your stuff!!

The Presiding Laboratory will be held on Sunday morning of the 2018 National Training Conference.

The request to participate form will be available online in mid-May. Increase your presiding skills – sign up for this session.

Another NAP opportunity supporting “Your Education – Your Way”

E

Partners in Progress: Units, Associations, and NAP

nhance your leadership skills at the

2018 Leadership Conference. Learn

how to fully engage your unit and association members through active learning techniques.

WHEN

Come ready to engage as we:

September 6, 2018 Leadership Conference 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

• Share and receive program ideas for your units and/or associations • Learn how to identify, recruit, and develop members • Review how you can utilize NAP’s resources to be of assistance to your unit and/or association • Discuss how to use technology to convert provisional members to full members • Network with other leaders and members Current and future leaders at the unit, association, and national level, as well as members, will benefit greatly from this day-long conference.

Register online at parliamentarians.org/2018leadership

September 5, 2018 Welcome Reception 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

WHERE Hyatt Regency Buffalo 300 Pearl St. Buffalo, NY 14202

REGISTRATION Early Bird (by 6/30): $75 Regular: $90

COORDINATORS Sadie Boles, RP Coordinator Edna Arrington, PRP Assistant Coordinator www.parliamentarians.org

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Test Yourself

&

&

Test Yourself

Questions Answers

Questions Answers

The intent of this column is to provide general answers or advice (not formal, official opinions) about the questions asked. The answers are based on Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 11th ed., unless otherwise indicated, and do not take into account such governing authorities as statutes, bylaws, or adopted special rules of order.

Questions should be mailed to NP Q&A Editor, 213 South Main Street, Independence, MO 64060, or emailed to npeditor@nap2.org.

agenda is adopted, a two-thirds vote to suspend the rules would be sufficient to allow an additional item to be taken up under new business. Without a specific bylaw provision or rule of order to the contrary, a presiding officer cannot unilaterally prohibit an unannounced item of new business from being introduced.

Q

Question 57: Our board worked very smoothly and informally for many years, getting all our business done efficiently, while allowing some time for bonding and camaraderie. Our new president came on board with a brusque, all-business attitude and has started circulating agendas in advance of meetings and not allowing new business unless submitted to him before he sends out the agenda. Can he do that?

Answer: The president can certainly start to use a pre-circulated agenda for guidance in running the meeting. RONR, p. 372. This is often useful to the members in preparing for the meeting and in keeping up with the business while it is taking place. No rule change is required for the president to start circulating an agenda before a meeting because such an agenda is only advisory. RONR, p. 372. Nor is it a problem for the president to request board members to forward proposed new business items to him in advance so that they can be included in the pre-circulated agenda. In fact, it is a good practice to encourage members to inform the presiding officer in advance of business they wish to bring before a meeting.

The president’s error seems to be in treating an advisory agenda as an adopted agenda, precluding introduction of new business not listed on the agenda.

Absent a specific rule to the contrary, an adopted agenda will not preclude the introduction of an item of new business. RONR, p. 360. But if an agenda listing all expected main motions is adopted, it becomes the formal agenda for the meeting, and the introduction of a motion not listed on the agenda would properly require the consent of the members to be considered.

In the circumstances described, the president does not present the agenda for adoption at the beginning of the meeting. Were he to do so, and were the members to adopt the agenda, it would be binding for the meeting, (RONR, p. 372), unless bylaw provisions or special rules of order relating to the agenda (as some organizations have) provide otherwise. But even when an

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

continued

In the situation you have presented, the chair’s refusal to recognize new business not on the advisory agenda was an error, but it does not create an irreversible precedent. At the next meeting, a member who wishes to bring up new business that has not been submitted to the president far enough in advance should, if the president refuses to entertain the motion, raise a point of order that he or she has to the right to introduce an item of new business.

Q

Question 58: I was recently elected secretary of our national union.

I asked some questions about how to prepare to draft the minutes of the quinquennial convention and I was told that it was not necessary, as a professional stenographer had been hired for the meeting and her transcript would be adopted as the minutes of the meeting at the next convention in five years. This does not seem right to me. What should I do?

Answer: You are correct to be concerned with the procedure used by custom in your union for adoption of minutes. A verbatim transcript of meeting “does not take the place of the minutes…” RONR, p. 476. The minutes serve as the official record of the actions taken at the meeting. RONR, p. 468.

Minutes should neatly summarize the actions taken at the meeting for ready reference in the future. Finding the final text of an approved motion in a verbatim transcript of a convention held over the course of several days can be difficult, particularly if there are interruptions (such as recesses, intervening reports, postponements, reconsiderations, etc.), or if there are several amendments or pre-statement modifications of the motion as made.

Although a verbatim transcript might be useful to the organization for reasons of organizational history, the transcript is an adjunct to the minutes, not a substitution for them.

In addition, if the union only holds quinquennial conventions, then the board or a minutes-approval committee should be empowered to approve the minutes as soon as possible after the close of the convention. In fact, the standard procedure with multi-day conventions is for the assembly to Continued on page 28 www.parliamentarians.org

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Test Yourself

&

&

Test Yourself

Questions Answers

Questions Answers

approve the minutes of the previous day’s meeting as the first items of business each day (except the last), or to delegate the approval of the convention minutes to the board or a minutes-approval committee. RONR, pp. 475, 628. The minutes of the final meeting of a multi-day session are usually read and approved by the assembly immediately before the close of business unless they are to be approved by the board or a minutes-approval committee.

Recently, the board narrowly rejected a board committee proposal for a main motion, and the committee has requested that the convention chairman allow the committee to offer its own motion directly to the convention. This board committee has been making reports directly to the convention for several years. Can this board committee submit its own motions under our bylaws?

continued

The minutes review procedure is usually established in the bylaws, special rules (convention standing rules in a convention), or by a motion adopted by the assembly. For five years to elapse before the minutes (the formal record of the meeting) are approved leaves the organization vulnerable to challenge in the intervening years if there is any need for a formal record of the proceedings. The accuracy of minutes not approved for five years is more susceptible to challenge in court on the basis that memories are rarely as accurate then as they would be shortly after the meeting was held.

Although a minutes-approval committee should be established by rule or motion before the end of the convention, the next quinquennial convention can approve the minutes if need be. See Opinion 2008-528 “New” board approves “old” board’s minutes, 49 (2) Parliamentary Journal 79 (April 2008).

In organizations with a strong board structure where the board is authorized to conduct all the business of the organization between membership meetings (typical in large organizations like unions), the general authorization for the board to act for the organization between conventions is sufficient to authorize the board to approve the minutes of the convention unless the organization’s bylaws or rules provide otherwise. See RONR pp. 482, 578.

These board-approved minutes may, of course, be corrected at the next convention if necessary. RONR, p. 475.

Answer: No. When the bylaws provide that only the board, standing convention committees, or chapters may submit motions, committees of the board may not submit motions independently. RONR, p. 589.

Board committees, although committees, are not standing convention committees. Neither are board committees the board; they are committees subordinate to the board and not to the convention. Board committees (except for an executive committee with power granted in the bylaws to perform certain board functions) derive their authority from the board, report directly to the board, and have no authority to act independently of the board (unless appointed “with power”). RONR, pp. 484-86, 490.

Although the board customarily cedes some of its reporting time to its committees for convenience, the board committees may not present motions on behalf of the board unless the board approves the motion, which then becomes the motion of the board. The board may choose to have a board committee chair present the motion rather than the board chair. That does not mean that the board committee is presenting its own motion directly to the convention. Rather, the board has chosen the most appropriate spokesperson to be the one to present what is now the board’s motion to the convention. A committee recommendation that is rejected by the board, on the other hand, could not be considered by convention, as it is not a motion made on behalf of the board.

Q

Question 59: Our organization has subordinate chapters around the country and holds a national convention annually. Under the bylaws, the only main motions that may be considered by the convention are those submitted by the executive board, by standing convention committees, or by petition of a certain number of chapters. Our organization has grown to such a size that board committees, which oversee specific administrative functions, now handle so much work that the board cedes some of its reporting time to the board committees to deliver reports to the convention.

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

continued

Questions & Answers Research Team

Michael Malamut, PRP, Q&A Research Editor

C. Allen Jennings, PRP, James H. Stewart, PRP, Assistant NAP Parliamentarian Q&A Research Editor Advisor: John Stackpole, RP

Helen McFadden, PRP, Parliamentary Consultant

www.parliamentarians.org

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Test Yourself

NAP Connections

Are They – or Aren’t They in RONR

Thirteen (half) of the following nouns or adjectives appear on one – and only one – page in the 11th Edition of Roberts Rules of Order (RONR).

The other half (13) do not appear at all in RONR. Circle the letters of the terms that do appear in RONR and then check yourself in the answer section to see how aware you are of terms that may pop up in RONR. No fair looking through the Index of RONR or using your searchable data base! Try this off the top of your head.

A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M.

Apology Armed Cabinet Capitol Ceiling Cell Consensus Cycle Delete Ethics Hearsay Libel Makeshift

N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. V. W. X. Y. Z.

Miniature Panic Patriotic Religion Revote Riot Scribe Sheriff Stencil Stool Sunshine Third-degree Unity Answers on page 34

David Mezzera, PRP, is a past president of the California State Association of Parliamentarians, past District VIII Director and currently chairs NAP’s Micro Certificate Project Subcommittee.

Lorenzo R Cuesta, PRP, has served as a parliamentarian for boards, conventions, and annual meetings in and beyond California for more than 17 years. He typically offers a three-hour interactive parliamentary procedure workshop that focuses on members’ rights and efficient meeting management. (http://www.roberts-rules.com, parliam@roberts-rules.com) 30

National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

Association Relations Committee Webinars

By Sheryl C. Womble, PRP

The Association Relations Subcommittee (ARC) continues to assist associations and units be successful. This subcommittee of the Membership Extension and Retention Committee (MERC) provides ways to increase organization services; promotes increased association support services to units; promotes increased membership growth; and, serves as a focal point for association leadership to seek advice and counsel related to member services.

The ARC is committed to ensuring that association and unit leaders are equipped with the tools needed to be successful in their roles serving NAP members. It started at the end of last year with one training session; and it is beginning the new year investing in the future of our leaders with two training sessions.

Invitations were sent to

association and unit leaders for the following webinars: • “On Leadership,” November 14, 2017, Presenter: Ed Moore, PRP • “All About the IRS 990” and “Answers to Questions You Asked,” February 1, 2018, Presenters: Wanda Nelson, PRP and Lynda Baer, PRP • “How to Keep Them Coming,” March 20, 2018, Various presenters

More webinars are being scheduled for 2018. Each one lasts about one hour. If you are the leader of your unit or association and did not receive an invitation, contact Ed Moore, PRP at ed@gtar.com or Lucy Anderson, PRP, Committee Chairman at assnrelations@nap2.org

Sheryl C. Womble, PRP, is a member of the Associations Relations Committee; the president of the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians; vice-president of the Christopher Registered Unit; and the secretary for the Landmark Unit. www.parliamentarians.org

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NAP Connections

Report from the

February Board of Directors’ Meeting • NAP and the national PTA are working together to help train PTA leaders on how to conduct more effective and efficient meetings with the help of parliamentary procedure. This collaboration includes Treasurer Sims and Vice President Allen presenting at the PTA’s March 2018 legislative conference.

Additionally, a table was available at the conference to display resources and discuss how NAP and its members can best serve state and local PTA leaders.

The two organizations will also collaborate to provide an “Ask the Parliamentarian” forum in which PTA leaders can ask basic parliamentary questions of a team of PRPs. NAP will provide short tips as well as information on the value and path to credentialing. Additional projects being discussed include NAP presenting at the PTA’s national conference and co-branding resources such as the Spotlight series for PTA members.

NAP Connections

• “Leadership Connection” has been launched. This is a new e-newsletter for state and unit leaders. District directors and board members are included in the mailing. This quarterly newsletter will contain information specific to our leaders.

• Errata sheets for the Registered Parliamentarian exam are being updated and sent to headquarters.

• Software has been purchased for the Body of Knowledge on-line courses, and information is being converted into the software.

• Rising STAR Program (Skills, Talents, Awards and Recognition) development continues. Qualifications and requirements for STAR Advisers have been defined.

Requirements have been developed to award STARs for six different officer and committee positions. The program will be piloted during the summer 2018.

• Drafts have been created for potential on-line presentations to be used “on-demand” or expanded into longer workshops. Topics are for NAP members and the general public: Electronic meetings; Governing Documents; Minutes; Presiding (Basic); Presiding over a Convention. The modules should be available during spring 2018.

Continued on page 34

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

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NAP Connections

NAP Connections

• 20 participants were selected for the Train the Trainer Workshop held April 27-29, 2018.

• Sample Bylaws and Checklists have been approved for new units, associations and youth groups • Bylaws were approved for a new unit: Charles County Area • Social media channels are being developed to connect on more professional level with NAP members and potential members • Best practices are being developed for social media resources for future partnership.

• NAP resources have been translated into both Simplified and Traditional Chinese including a 300 question-bank, the 1200 RP question Bank, and 174 parliamentary terms • The Membership and Registration Examiners Committee is dutifully distributing and grading new member and registration examinations and sharing the good news with new members and newly credentialed members.

Answer Key Are They – or Aren’t They from page 30 A. G.

I.

J. K. L.

Apology – p. 647 Consensus – p. l (Roman numeral for 50) Delete – p. 134 (footnote) Ethics – p. 643 Hearsay – p. 655 Libel – p. 655

P. Patriotic – p. 25 S. Riot – p. 86 T. Scribe – p. 458 W. Stool – p. 22 X. Sunshine – p. 96 Y. Third-degree – p. 135 Z. Unity – p. l (Roman numeral for 50)

Page numbers are indicated for the 13 terms which appear only on a single page in RONR. The other originally listed terms do not appear at all in RONR. Some other “once only” terms? Check these out: Chaplain, Curator, Guard and Warden (all on p. 462), and Gentlewoman (p. 377). Any other singletons that you have found?

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

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NAP Connections

NAP Connections

Transferring Knowledge

By Ramona Hill, PRP Education Cluster Leader

One of our core missions as parliamentarians is to transfer knowledge to others in order to create better meeting experiences through parliamentary procedure. As parliamentarians, we typically have more extensive content knowledge than the people we are supporting. But knowing the rules does not always mean that an individual can effectively transfer that knowledge to others. Can you recall well-known teachers or lecturers who were utterly disappointing to you? The problem was not knowledge or expertise, but with the teaching method(s) used to transfer that knowledge from the expert to the learner.

As we seek to improve and enhance the meeting processes of those we serve, we must realize that there is a difference between being a content expert and being a successful trainer who transfers knowledge to others.

Over the years, researchers on training methodology have identified several guidelines to improve the effectiveness of training. One particularly useful set of guidelines are known as Didactic Principles (Cawood, Muller & Swartz, 1982). These principles should be considered during the course design and during the course delivery.

• Be methodical. Once the expected outcome is defined and shared, adult learners want to know the process by which the knowledge will be shared. The process should indicate what happens and why.

Albert Einstein said, “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” Providing knowledge sharing sessions as a trainer is an opportunity for continuous improvement and growth. Even if you present the same session a dozen times, preparation and delivery should be intentional and should pay attention to all the details because the audience in session 12 typically has no idea that this is your twelfth time on this same material. They come anticipating an energized, professional learning opportunity!

Remember we are helping to improve the world, one meeting at a time.

• Provide motivation. Again, help the learner identify and focus on “what is in it for me?”

Source: Skills Converged, Train the Trainer: The Art of Training Delivery, (Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016).

• Be purposeful. Adult learners desire to know the expected outcome of the knowledge transfer process and the “what is in it for me?” factor. Be clear about the course objectives to focus the learning and the learners and minimize the imposition of unwanted or unrelated discussions.

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• Share lived experience. Adult learners bring different experiences to the knowledge share engagement and this experience needs to have a space and place during the knowledge share process so that these experiences are used as a building block in the learning process.

• Pay attention to individual styles. Pay attention to including components of all learning styles – visual, auditory, tactile.

Include something for everyone.

• Create social opportunities. The experience must include sufficient group work and individual exercises to allow learning to take place through social interactions. Aim to delicately balance socialization and individualization.

• The total equals the sum of the parts. Various parts of the session must tie together consistently. Techniques and skills explored must be related.

• Actively engage participants. Utilize active learning processes.

Avoid using all passive learning processes – such as a session of 100% lecture which is also known as a snooze fest!

• Demonstrate mastery. Provide adult learners with the opportunity to demonstrate the new knowledge and receive feedback to enhance what was just demonstrated.

• Assess and evaluate. The session evaluation is used to judge the effectiveness of the knowledge transferred, the training methodologies used and the trainer’s performance. This is a very important step of the process for the trainer to self-analyze and determine areas of improvement. Every knowledge transfer or training session conducted leads to actions that can be used to improve the next session.

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NAP Connections

NAP Connections

N ew M embe r s *

A warm welcome to NAP’s newest members.

Mitchel Alexander (MO) Colin Johnson (AB) Ruth Anderson (VA) Demetrius Kachafanas (NS) Abigail Bailey (MO) Tate Kelly (MO) Lisa Bailey (MD) Christina Klingensmith (CO) Eric Ball (MO) Jo Emily Knox (MD) Patrice Battle (NY) Tyler Lamm (CO) Amanda Benson (CO) Alicia Lester (NY) Kylie Boehmer (MO) Angelia Lewis (VA) Barbara Cager (TX) Carolyn Lowry-Nation (FL) Jennifer Carpio (MO) Logan MacComisky (MO) Payton Clements (NJ) Robert Madera (TX) Dawn Cobb (NY) Sandra Madison (VA) Albert Coleman (MD) Coleson Manade (MO) Tomasina Cook (NY) Nathan Manning (MO) Paul Crawford (ON) Madyson Marrs (MO) Dale Daron (MI) Saran Martin (MD) Theodore DeMarco (NEAP) Hannah McCain (MO) Melody Eckardt (NEAP) Donna Mitchell (NY) Michael Ellis (NEAP) Laura Morgan (IL) Madeline Eppie (MO) Ryan Mueller (WA) Scott Fischer (MO) Edward Nelson III (FL) Beverly Flowers (TX) Scott Overfield (MO) Panagiotis Frousiakis (CA) Margaret Page (BC) Julia Furman (IL) Paula Parker (TX) Kelsey Gauldin (MO) Dominique Penzing (CO) John Ginther (BC) Carey Pointer Sr.(MD) Carleena Graham (MD) Mike Prest (ON) Malia Gutierrez (MO) Tracy Pugh (MD) Callin Haglund (AB) Tapiwa Pumure (MO) Patrick Hardy (CA) Myka Raymond (CO) Stacy Harper-Avilla (MD) Tony Raymond (CO) Meagan Hodges (MO) Thomas Reeder (WY) Emma Howell (MO) Anna Romo (MO) Jayne Howell (TX) Nancy Ryan (TX) Ashleigh Hudson (DE) Kiera Santulli (MO) Christopher Inglese (SC) Lara Schroeder (SK) 38

National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

Erica Shifflet-Chila (MI) Jessica Slater (MO) Madison Slater (MO) Andrew Stewart (CO) Deborah Stewart (MB) Geraldine Taylor (MD) John Taylor (MD) Nancy Terpening (OH) Alyssa Turner (MD) P. Natalia Turnquest (TX) MacKensie Wagner (MO) Vivian Walton-Smalls (NY) Cara Weddington (AZ) Samantha Wilkins (CA) Tracey Williams (MD) Maranda Yarger (MO) Thank You to Our Instructors A special thank you to the instructors of the aforementioned new members Lucy Anderson, PRP (TX) Kay Crews, PRP (TX) Don Freese, PRP-R (MB) Richard Hayes, PRP (TX) Cindy Hinckley Patrick Knoll, PRP (AB) John Noonan, PRP (BC) Karen Ortner (CO) Tonja Stokes, PRP (IL) Carolyn Stubbs, PRP (MI) Beverly Tatham, PRP (NY) John Tatum, PRP (DC) Alyssa King Turner (TX) Vivian Vincent, PRP (AZ) David Mason White Jr. (NJ) Sheryl Womble, PRP (TX) Leonard Young, PRP (MO)

N E W R E G IS T E R E D P A RLI A M E N T A RI A N S *

NP congratulates the following individuals on becoming Registered Parliamentarians: Patricia A. Cauley (DC) Kevin A. Dahlman (MN) Wade Emmert (TX) Andrea Leverett Hilburn (TX) Lorraine Johnson (MD) Gail E. Lover (CA) Linda A. Smallwood (MD) Kenneth A. Soo (NC)

I N M E M ORI A M *

NP commemorates these members who have passed from our midst; may they rest in peace: Michael Weathers (IN) Sybil Alexander (NY) Emmesia Frost (MI) Joanne Smallwood, RP (CA) LaVonne Ellis, PRP (VA) Beth Bond (FL) Frederick Riehm (MN) Adolfo Griffith (NY)

* For the period January 1, 2018 thru March 20, 2018 www.parliamentarians.org

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NAP Connections

Show Your Pride

Philadelphia Area Units Host Joint Parliamentary Workshop

Did you know that you can find business accessories and NAP lapel pins in NAP’s Store? That’s right, in addition to the many excellent parliamentary resources and tools, NAP sells accessories that will display your pride in being a parliamentarian and a member of NAP.

Seated L-R: Debra McAllister, Evelyn Johns, Sandra Burney-Boxley, Phyllis Eggleston, Cheryl Jones.

Standing L-R: Ann Roberson, Theljewa Garrett, Sandra Gould, Gloria Johnson, Wanda Graham, Tracey, Mary English

The Montgomery County PA and the N. L. Carter, Philadelphia, units of the National Association of Parliamentarians hosted a parliamentary procedure workshop on Saturday, October 14, 2017, in Willow Grove, PA. With approximately 40 attendees present, the topics covered included Basic Parliamentary Procedures, Understanding Motions, and the Work of Committees. Bonnie Murdah, PRP, president of the Pennsylvania

Association of Parliamentarians, and Theljewa Garrett, 2nd vice president, Pennsylvania Association of Parliamentarians, were the presenters.

Also present were Debra McAllister, 1st Vice President, Pennsylvania Association of Parliamentarians, Sandra Burney-Boxley, president of Montgomery County, PA Unit, and Evelyn Johns, president of the N.L. Carter, Philadelphia Unit.

This was the first joint workshop.

Back row, left to right: Betty Weston, Pat Dolan, Nancy Fody, Janice Ballentine, Richard Atwell Front Row, left to right: Barbara Davis, Michele McGowen, Allison Hammond, Barbara Hemphill, Jennifer Young, Julie Pioch Members not pictured: David Bukala, Laurie Marshall, Betty Lee Ongley, Ralph Tanner, and Alice Covell.

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National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018

The perfect size for your copy of RONR or RONR in Brief; zippered, 8.5 in x 10.5 in Binder only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $40 ($45 nonmember) With RONR 11th edition & tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $69 ($75 nonmember) With RONR In Brief 2nd edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $47 ($54 nonmember)

Tech-Friendly Padfolio Zippered 8.5 in x 10.5 in padfolio has a small notepad plus pockets for your tablet, smartphone, 2 USB drives, and business cards . . . . . . . . . . . . $18 ($24 nonmember)

Insulated Travel Mug Metallic blue stainless-steel, 16 oz travel mug with plastic liner lets you take your beverage of choice on the road . . . . . . . . . . . $15 ($20 nonmember)

Kalamazoo Unit Celebrates 70 Years

In 1946, seven women leaders of the Kalamazoo area asked Professor Otto Yntema of Western Michigan University to teach a class in Parliamentary Procedure at the Kalamazoo Harding School. The following year, the same women organized the Kalamazoo Parliamentary Club.

NAP 7-ring binder

On October 6, 1967, the Club was granted a Charter by the National Association of Parliamentarians under the name of Kalamazoo Parliamentary Law Unit.

In 2017, the chapter celebrated 70 years of existence as a parliamentary group.

Member Lapel Pins

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1 Regular Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $60 (Sterling Silver) 2 Association President . . . . . . $60 (Silver Plated) . . . . . $75 (Gold Filled) 3 RP/PRP President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $110 (10k) . . . . . $75 (Gold Filled) 4 Unit President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $110 (10k) . . . . . $75 (Gold Filled) District Director . . . . . . . $145 (14k) . . . . $110 (10k) . . . . . $75 (Gold Filled)

We also have $25 gif t certificates.

Call for deta ils.

Order yours today at www.parliamentarians.org/store

816.833.3892 www.parliamentarians.org

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Parliamentarian

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Official publication of the National Association of Parliamentarians® 213 S. Main Street Independence, MO 64050-3808 816.833.3892 • 888.627.2929 hq@nap2.org • www.parliamentarians.org 42

National Parliamentarian • Spring 2018