NP
Volume 80, No. 4 | Summer 2019
National Parliamentarian
Working Toward A Strong Future
Majority of What? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5 NAP Membership Test: Keep It Please . . page 20
NAP 42nd Biennial Convention Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
page 23
Leadership 2O19
NAP Conference
September 4, 2019 • Las Vegas, NV
EMPOWERMENT
What extraordinary leaders do best!
E
nhance your leadership skills while unleashing the potential in your association.
When you attend the 2019 Leadership Conference you will engage with others as you: • Exchange program ideas for your units and/or associations • Network with other leaders • Learn how NAP can assist your unit and/or association
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? • Unit president & officers • Association presidents • District directors • Members • Leaders of any organization • Future leaders
WHEN September 4, 2019 Leadership Conference 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino 3000 Paradise Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89109
REGISTRATION Regular: $130
COORDINATORS Sadie Boles, RP Coordinator Edna Arrington, PRP Assistant Coordinator
Register online today at www.napconvention.com/2019leadership
NP
National Parliamentarian
Volume 80, No. 4 | Summer 2019
Contents 2017-2019 NAP Officers President James N. Jones, PRP Vice-President Darlene T. Allen, PRP Secretary Kevin R. Connelly, PRP Treasurer Wanda M. Sims, PRP Directors-at-Large Joyce Brown-Watkins, PRP Ann Rempel, PRP Alison Wallis, PRP
From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 President’s Message Copy to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 FEATURES Majority of What? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Seeking a Complete Collection of Robert’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 What’s Not in RONR (and what can you do about it)? . . . 15 Handling a Main Motion Hexagon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 NAP Membership Test: Let’s Keep It, Please . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SPECIAL SECTION
District Director Representatives Roger Hanshaw, PRP Larry Martin, PRP
2019 NAP 42nd Biennial Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 NAP Opens in Vegas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Schedule at a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Educational Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 How to Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Where to Stay & How to Get There . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Parliamentarian James Stewart, PRP
DEPARTMENTS
Executive Director Cynthia Launchbaugh
Test Yourself Questions & Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
NAP’s Vision: To provide parliamentary leadership to the world
NAP Connections Report from the Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 District 7 Trailblazers Keep Blazing On! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Beaumont Unit Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 New Registered Parliamentarians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 New Professional Registered Parliamentarians . . . . . . . . . 42 Silent Gavel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 www.parliamentarians.org
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National Parliamentarian
®
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
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Submission Deadlines
Volume 81, No. 1 . . . . . . . . . August 1, 2019 (Fall 2019) Volume 81, No. 2 . . . . . . November 1, 2019 (Winter 2020) Volume 81, No. 3 . . . . . . . . February 1, 2020 (Spring 2020)
Editor
Ann Iona Warner npeditor@nap2.org
Assistant Editor
Betty Tunstall, PRP
Parliamentary Review Committee Shmuel Gerber, PRP Lisa Zwarn, PRP John R. Berg, PRP Paul McClintock, PRP Sheryl C. Womble, PRP
Parliamentary Research Committee Michael Malamut, PRP C. Alan Jennings, PRP Jim Stewart, PRP Helen McFadden, PRP
NATIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN®
(Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, ISSN 8755-7592) Published quarterly by the National Association of Parliamentarians ©2019 All rights to reproduce or reprint any portion of this publication are reserved, except by written permission of the editor. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those endorsed by NAP.
Subscription and change-of-address requests should be directed to NAP at the above address. Annual subscription: $30 • Single copy: $8
From the Editor
As you read this, you are hopefully on your way to Las Vegas for NAP’s Annual Convention. It’s the time for us to conduct the business of the organization: bylaws, elections, reports, and plenty of educational workshops. This will be my last issue as editor of National Parliamentarian. I’d like to thank my editors and review committee members who edited language, and double-checked references. This issue offers a little bit of everything: information about parliamentary concepts, happenings at NAP headquarters, tips for keeping track of the steps of processing a motion, and a view-point on an issue that will be coming up for debate at the convention. Enjoy! Ann Iona Warner 2 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
President’s Message
NAP – Working Toward A Strong Future It is truly hard to believe how quickly two years have passed and that I am preparing to transition to the honor of being a former NAP president. Surely every president who has come before me has been humbled by the responsibilities of this leadership position. And I am no exception. It is only through the combined efforts of many leaders and members that our organization has been able to make such great strides. With that in mind, I must thank our founders, past presidents, cluster leaders, committee members, program chairmen, and board members. The cumulative leadership of NAP has consistently challenged us to be better – better parliamentarians, better colleagues, better leaders, and yes – better friends. I promised to have four areas of focus: our mission, our marketing, our membership, and our money. We remained true to these emphases throughout the term. • NAP’s mission is to educate leaders throughout the world in effective meeting management. Our International Services Committee, led by Lori Lukinuk, PRP, worked diligently to help NAP members in China, Africa, Canada, and elsewhere. Through their efforts we grew our presence and improved our approach in providing quality services to these members. • Through our organizational partnerships with other associations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Jack and Jill of America, Presbyterian Church (USA), and National Parent Teachers Association, we have increased NAP’s visibility, while expanding our markets for education materials and our sources for new members. Most of these advances were made possible by the cooperative work of the Governance, Membership, and Education clusters and are based on introductions and referrals arranged by various NAP leaders and members. • Our educational portfolio continues to expand, with new and improved on-line educational opportunities. With the assistance of Past President Ann Guiberson, PRP; NAPEF President Sandy Olson, PRP; and Education Cluster Leader Ramona Hill, our Train the Trainer program has developed a strong cadre of certified instructors to teach our professional credentialing courses as well as NAP’s new developmental courses based on the Body of Knowledge These instructors are available to assist our affiliates and units who sometimes have a shortage of qualified instructors in their area. • Through NAP’s “Your Education, Your Way” initiative, the number of ways to navigate the membership exam were expanded to provide more opportunities for individuals to successfully join NAP. • NAP’s robust array of on-demand webinars and courses continues to grow in popularity and our offerings at annual education meetings have seen increased attendance and received great reviews. www.parliamentarians.org
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• Our Building the Future campaign met its financial goals. A special thanks to Past President Leonard Young, PRP; Resource Development Chairman Carol Davis, PRP; and the state associations of Texas, Missouri, and Florida for their special leadership and support of this project, which will lead to better member service as we improve NAP’s infrastructure at our Independence, MO, headquarters. • The Association Relations Committee, led by Lucy Anderson, PRP, provided regular webinars and communications to unit and association leaders. The committee also coordinated listening sessions to ensure that local leaders had a voice as to how NAP could best serve them. • Dave Whitaker, RP, through the Association Relations Committee and Communications Cluster provided ongoing news and information to associations and units through the Leadership Connection newsletter. The evolution of the way in which we promote and publicize NAP and its activities to our own members was essentially the result of his innovation and diligence. • The combined efforts of the Membership and Education clusters have led to the fifth consecutive year of membership growth for NAP. Much of this was accomplished by supporting local units and national partners in sponsoring large study groups. • Our Great Governance Series program, planned by board member Roger Hanshaw, PRP, and Governance Cluster Leader Brunhilda Curington, brought national visibility to NAP as we partnered with George Washington University Law School, St. Thomas School of Law, Colgate University, and University of Washington Law School to emphasize the role of good governance, civil discourse, and practical parliamentary procedures in effective decision making. We thank our corporate and private sponsors who help in so many ways to expose new people to NAP. • We have set the stage for growing our youth participation by revamping our youth partnerships and refocusing the educational nature of these partnerships. We thank Membership Service Cluster Leader Loretta Tillery and the members of the Youth Committee that made this possible. There are many people who have contributed to NAP’s amazing success over the past two years. Thank you to the leaders (both national and local) who advocate for NAP. Thank you to the volunteers without whom most of these projects could not be carried out. And finally, a huge “thank you” to National Parliamentarian Editor Ann Warner and her team for their hard work and efforts to consistently produce a good product for our membership and for their patience with me and my late submissions. Congratulations in advance, and best wishes to the new officers who will lead NAP in the coming biennium. Remember to think big and make a difference. Maya Angelou once said, “I have found that, among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” Our leaders must always be willing to give of their talents while remembering that, as an organization, our mission is not only to educate the world on parliamentary procedure, but also to assist our members and other organizations to develop better decision-making processes that help them better accomplish their missions. Leaving this position reminds me of something Winnie the Pooh said, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” So, instead of goodbye let me merely say “thank you” to each of you. James “Jim” Jones PRP, CPP-T 44th NAP President, 2017-2019 4 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
Majority of What by John R. Berg, PRP
Majority is one of the basic concepts in parliamentary law and is “the basic requirement for approval of an action or choice by a deliberative assembly.” “Majority” means more than half. (Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th ed., p. 400, ll. 5-8). When unqualified, it means “more than half of the votes cast by persons entitled to vote, excluding blanks or abstentions, at a regular or properly called meeting” (RONR, p. 400, ll. 10-12). Problems can arise when the term is qualified, either intentionally or unintentionally. If the bylaws state that the officers are elected by a majority of the members at the annual meeting, does it mean that they are elected (1) by a majority of the members actually attending the annual meeting, (2) at the annual meeting by a majority of the entire membership, or (3) by a majority vote of the members present and voting – the default meaning of “majority vote” – at the annual meeting? Because bylaws provisions take precedence over the rules in RONR, any unnecessary qualifying terms
should be avoided. A simple statement that the officers are elected at the annual meeting should be sufficient, since RONR fills in the details that it means elected by more than half of the votes cast by persons entitled to vote, excluding blanks or abstentions, at the properly called meeting. On the other hand, if a different standard is actually intended, it should be clear and unambiguous in the bylaws. Often bylaws, or even statutes, will attempt to clarify or restate the concept of majority with terms like 51%, or 50% + 1, or 50.01%. None of these equate to the basic definition of “more than half.” If there were 1,000 votes cast, 51% would be 510, while a majority would be 501. If there were nine votes, 50% + 1 would be 5.5 and a 5 to 4 decision of the U.S. Supreme Court would not meet that requirement. The 50.01% concept has the same problem as the 51%, only the total votes would need to be www.parliamentarians.org
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higher to make a difference. Again, it is unwise to attempt to clarify a term that is already clear. Half is a fraction, and every fraction has two parts, a numerator, and a denominator. The numerator is the number on the top and, in the case of a vote, is the number of votes cast for a particular candidate or motion. The denominator is the number on the bottom and, in the case of a vote, is the total votes or the number of which the numerator must be more than half to attain a majority. The default denominator under RONR is the number of votes cast by persons entitled to vote, excluding blanks or abstentions. Abstentions or blank ballots are excluded, but illegal votes are not (RONR, p. 416, ll. 9). Thus a vote of 122 to 121 with two illegal votes would not attain a majority since 122 is not more than half of the 245 votes cast. If the parliamentary authority used is the American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure (AIPSC), both abstentions and illegal votes are excluded from the denominator, since it defines a majority vote as “more than half of the number of legal votes cast for a particular motion or candidate” (p. 305). In the case just given, the candidate receiving 122 would be elected since 122 is more than half of 243 legal votes cast. While votes for candidates not eligible are considered illegal votes, votes for Mickey Mouse are considered to be abstentions unless there is a non-fictional person named Mickey 6 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
Mouse (eligible or not). “All ballots that indicate a preference…are taken into account in determining the number of votes cast for purposes of computing the majority” (RONR, p. 415, ll. 32-35). A vote for a fictional character or a vote for “none of the above” does not indicate a preference. Also, “in order to defeat a candidate for an office it is necessary to vote for an opposing candidate” (RONR, p. 430, ll. 13-15). Previously, the 10th edition of RONR took the opposite position by stating that a vote for a fictional character was an illegal vote. (p. 402, ll. 14-16). Hopefully, this will be clarified in the 12th edition. A higher threshold, such as two-thirds, nine-tenths, or even unanimity, can also be specified to provide greater stability. The effect of this is that a minority can prevail by blocking any action by a majority that does not meet this higher standard. Sometimes the terms “simple majority” and “super majority” are used to distinguish between the basic “more than half ” standard and any higher standard. Neither term is used in RONR, and occasionally the term “simple majority” is used to mean a plurality. (Like the verbs table and accept that can have different or unclear meanings in parliamentary usage, terms without a precise meaning should be avoided.) Plurality means the largest number of votes received by a candidate or choice when there are more than two alternatives (RONR, p. 404, l. 35 – p. 405, l. 2). A plurality may or may not reflect more than half.
The denominator can be modified by the use of terms like “majority of the entire membership” or “majority of the members present.” These can be specified in the governing documents if that is what is intended. Statutes or bylaws may specify that a decision must be by a majority vote of those present. Under a requirement for a majority of the entire membership or a majority of the members, an abstention has the same effect as a negative vote and does not allow anyone to abstain without affecting the result. For example, with a denominator of twelve present or twelve total membership, a vote of five to three would not adopt the motion with this modified majority requirement. When abstentions or even absentees have the same effect as negative votes, a voice vote is not sufficient because the abstaining or absent negative votes cannot be heard. A division or counted vote would be necessary in most cases. When a vote count is taken, only the affirmative vote really matters, since the negative votes would be added to the abstentions. If a statute or bylaw also requires that all votes must be recorded in the minutes, either as counted votes or roll call votes, in addition to the requirement “majority of those present,” this can pose problems when action is adopted by unanimous
consent. Unanimous consent is not the same as a unanimous vote. A unanimous vote means that all votes cast were on the same side (AIPSC, p. 141). A vote can be unanimous even with abstentions. Unanimous consent means that the opposition chooses to forgo a formal vote rather than fight what is perceived as a losing battle (RONR, p. 55, ll. 5-8). There may be a statute or bylaw that states that a member present is presumed to assent to the decision of the majority unless that member’s dissent or abstention is entered in the minutes. Without such provision of presumed assent, it may be awkward for the secretary to record as positive votes all present when an action is adopted by unanimous consent. There is a trick of doubling to determine if a vote has achieved the required majority. To determine if a majority is achieved, double the affirmative vote and it should exceed the total number of votes cast. To determine if a two-thirds vote is achieved, the affirmative vote should be at least two times the negative – or, if there are illegal votes, double all the non-affirmative votes. It somehow seems easier to double than to divide. What began as a simple concept of majority has now become more complicated but hopefully not more muddled.
John R. Berg, PRP, is currently president of the Washington State Association of Parliamentarians, has served as parliamentarian for several national organizations, and is a regular contributor to “National Parliamentarian.”
www.parliamentarians.org
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Seeking a Complete Collection of Robert’s by Nancy Sylvester, PRP, Curator for NAP’s Building Our Legacy Campaign, and Stran Trout, PRP-R, Deputy Curator for NAP’s Building Our Legacy Campaign
In January of this year, National Association of Parliamentarians President Jim Jones shared with me his dream of a complete collection of Robert’s editions and printings to be on display at the newly renovated NAP Headquarters and asked me to be the curator of that collection. President Jones dreamed that the current Resource Center be upgraded to a historically significant depository related to the study of parliamentary procedure and governance. He indicated that he was asking me to be the curator because he knew that I have an extensive collection of early editions of Robert’s.
A sampling of Nancy Sylvester’s collection of Robert’s Rules of Order.
Nancy’s Story I began studying parliamentary procedure in 1967 in a two-hour credit course on parliamentary procedure taught at Indiana State University by my favorite professor, Dr. Otis J. Aggert. In 2004, when my first book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Robert’s Rules, was published, I decided to begin a personal collection of the various editions and printings of Robert’s books. Because I had been a registered parliamentarian since 1978, I had used each of the “Newly Revised” versions and focused my collection on all of the previous editions of Robert’s books. My first task was to find a list of all editions and printings of Robert’s that
were in existence. An extensive search of the internet brought me to the most complete list I could find. That list was prepared by Stran Trout, PRP-R and is included with this article. It is very easy to distinguish one edition from another, but not so easy to distinguish one printing from another as one needs to take a close look at the title page. From the second edition to the sixth edition, on the bottom half of the title page, one finds, between the author’s name and the publisher’s information, the cumulative number of copies of the book that have been printed, including that printing. In the second and third editions, the number of copies that have been printed is written out in words. For the fourth,
8 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
The first and second editions of Robert’s Rules of Order.
fifth, and sixth editions, the phrase, “Inclusive of Robert’s Rules of Order,” precedes the number of copies printed and is written out in words. I currently have in my collection 84 of the 86 printings of the first six editions of Robert’s. In addition, I have a collection of approximately 275 books on parliamentary procedure and governance and a collection of journals. Of the National Parliamentarian, I have all journals from 1976 to present, and I have 86 of the journals for the years from 1945 through 1975. Of the Parliamentary Journal (from the American Institute of Parliamentarians), I have all journals from 1968 to present. With the new title of curator, the first thing I decided to do was contact Stran, the person who created the list of Robert’s editions and printings that I have been using since 2004. After the initial introductions on the phone, we became two Robert’s books geeks, joyfully sharing our knowledge. I soon realized that he knew much more about books on parliamentary procedure than I ever dreamt of knowing. Immediately after the phone call with Stran, I called NAP President
Jim Jones and asked him to please appoint Stran as a curator with me. Stran’s Story In 1974, as a law student, I was asked to be the parliamentarian of an organization. The assumption was that, as a future lawyer, I would know about parliamentary law. Not only did I not know anything about parliamentary law, I soon learned that no law school in the country had a course on the subject. My first task was to buy a book, and after several purchases, I realized that the latest edition of Robert’s was the one I needed. That started the collection. In the same year, I began taking a series of three courses on parliamentary law at a local community college, taught by Colonel M. Stanley Ryan. After completing the classes, the students decided to form a unit of the National Association of Parliamentarians, which we named for our teacher, M. Stanley Ryan. A few years ago, along with other attorneys in the country, the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers (ACPL) was established with a www.parliamentarians.org
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membership of registered or certified parliamentarians who were also attorneys. Over the years the ACPL has worked to include courses on parliamentary law in law schools and undergraduate schools across the country. Well, the books kept coming. Before the internet, books on parliamentary procedure usually would sell for a dollar apiece and were often thrown out by used-book stores because there was no demand. The internet changed that, and prices have gone up along with the variety of books available for sale. After a few decades of collecting, I put together Parliamentary Procedure Books, A Bibliography that was published by NAP. The book is now in its second edition. With far too many books, I was delighted when Nancy called and told me about NAP’s plan to develop a library of Robert’s printings at headquarters. It had been my dream to find a home for the books, a place where they could contribute to the study of the history of parliamentary law.
Since I began looking for a good book on parliamentary procedure in 1974, my library has grown to over 1,700 different titles, editions and printings, including 124 Robert’s, 94 Jefferson’s, 120 Cushings, along with a few boxes of books in the basement. The Collection Nancy Sylvester has made a donation of $1,000 to the Building Our Legacy Campaign for the renovation of headquarters and has earmarked it for use in housing the Robert’s collection. Stran Trout has donated a set of Robert’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd editions – 44 books! And we both now encourage you to also make a donation to the Building Our Legacy campaign and to the parliamentary procedure and governance books collection to be housed at NAP Headquarters. If you are interested in donating books to the NAP headquarters’ collection, please contact the curator, Nancy Sylvester, at nancyksylvester@gmail.com.
Nancy Sylvester, PRP, is the author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Robert’s Rules” and “The Guerilla’s Guide to Robert’s Rules.” She has been a practicing professional parliamentarian since 1980. She has served NAP in many capacities, and is current vice-president of the NAP Educational Foundation. More information is available about Nancy on her website at www.nancysylvester.com.
Stran Trout, PRP-R, is a retired attorney. He has served many governmental and non-governmental organizations at the state and national level. He is a member of the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers, and the American Institute of Parliamentarians, and is the author of “Parliamentary Procedure Books – A Bibliography” and “Board Meeting Procedure in Virginia – Formality in Local Government Boards.” Stran maintains parliamentary links and information and a list of the printings of Robert’s Rules of Order on his web site: www.newkent.net. More information is available at http://www.newkent.net/troutresume.html. 10 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
Robert’s Rules of Order The following is a partial listing of the editions of Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies, Robert’s Rules of Order Revised for Deliberative Assemblies and Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised for Deliberative Assemblies by Henry M. Robert. Date
1876
1876 1877 1877 1878 1879 1880 1880 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1888 1888 1889
Total This Military Rank of Pages Printing Printing H.M. Robert
4,000 7,000 Revised 10,000 Revised 12,000 Revised 15,000 Revised 18,000 Revised 22,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 45,000 50,000 56,000 62,000 70,000 75,000 81,000 90,000 90,000 100,000
First Edition: copyright 1876 4,000 176 Major Second Edition: copyright 1876 3,000 192 Major
Publisher
S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs
3,000
192
Major
S. C. Griggs
2,000
192
Major
S. C. Griggs
3,000
192
Major
S. C. Griggs
3,000
192
Major
S. C. Griggs
4,000 3,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 6,000 6,000 8,000 5,000 6,000 9,000 10,000
192 192 192 192 192 192 192 192 192 192 192 192 192 192 192
Major Major Major Major Major Major Major Lt. Col. Lt. Col. Lt. Col. Lt. Col. Lt. Col. Lt. Col. Lt. Col. Lt. Col.
S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs Baker & Taylor S. C. Griggs www.parliamentarians.org
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Date
Total This Military Rank of Pages Printing Printing H.M. Robert
1890 113,000 1891 130,000 1892 145,000
1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1901 1901 1902 1903
158,000 173,000 187,000 197,000 212,000 217,000 245,000 265,000 280,000 295,000
1905 1906 1907 1907 1909
315,000 342,000 362,000 383,000 403,000 415,000 428,000 450,000 475,000 500,000 520,000
525,000 525,000 525,000 555,000 555,000
13,000 192 Lt. Col. 17,000 192 Lt. Col. 15,000 192 Lt. Col. Third Edition: copyright 1893 13,000 218 Lt. Col. 15,000 218 Lt. Col. 14,000 218 Colonel 10,000 218 Colonel 15,000 218 Colonel 5,000 218 Colonel 28,000 218 Colonel 20,000 218 General 15,000 218 General 15,000 218 General Third Edition: copyright 1904 20,000 218 General 27,000 218 General 20,000 218 General 21,000 218 General 20,000 218 General 12,000 218 General 13,000 218 General 22,000 218 General 25,000 218 General 25,000 218 General 20,000 218 General Robert’s Rules of Order Revised Fourth Edition: copyright 1915 5,000 323 General 323 General 323 General 30,000 323 General 323 General
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Publisher
S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs S. C. Griggs Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman
Scott For. Black Ryerson Press William Briggs Scott For. Black Scott Foresman
Date
Total This Military Rank of Pages Printing Printing H.M. Robert
580,000 600,000 615,000 625,000 635,000 652,000
679,000 702,000 722,000 747,000 774,000 800,000 828,000 851,000 872,000 912,000 932,000 949,000 949,000 1,014,000 1,021,000 1,068,000 1,090,000
1,090,000 1,250,000 1,250,000
1,385,000 1,385,000 1,675,000
25,000 323 General 20,000 323 General 15,000 323 General 10,000 323 General 10,000 323 General 17,000 323 General Fourth Edition: copyright 1918 Fourth Edition: copyright 1921 27,000 323 General 23,000 323 General 20,000 323 General 25,000 323 General 27,000 323 General 26,000 323 General 28,000 323 General 23,000 323 General 21,000 323 General 40,000 323 General 20,000 323 General 17,000 323 General 323 General 65,000 323 General 7,000 323 General 47,000 323 General 22,000 323 General Fifth Edition: copyright 1943 326 General 160,000 326 General 326 General Sixth Edition: copyright 1951 135,000 326 General 326 General 290,000 326 General
Publisher
Scott For. Black Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman
Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Ryerson Press Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Scott Foresman Ryerson Press Scott Foresman Ryerson Press Scott Foresman www.parliamentarians.org
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Date
1952 1976 1976
Total This Military Rank of Pages Printing Printing H.M. Robert
1,750,000 1,750,000 1,800,000 1,850,000 1,925,000 100th Ann 100th Ann
2,750,000 2,800,000 2,800,000
3,400,000 3,400,000
4,350,000 4,350,000 4,450,000 4,450,000
5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 2007
5,500,000 5,500,000 5,500,000
Publisher
75,000 326 General Scott Foresman 326 General Ryerson Press 50,000 326 General Scott Foresman 50,000 326 General Scott Foresman 75,000 326 General Scott Foresman (3 Vols) General Braille Institute 80 326 General Amereon, Brown, Green 300 326 General Aeonian, Brown, Blue Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised Seventh Edition: copyright 1970 825,000 594 General Scott Foresman 50,000 594 General Scott For. Brown 594 General Scott For. Gray Eighth Edition: copyright 1981 600,000 594 General Scott For. Hard 594 General Scott For. Soft Ninth Edition: copyright 1990 950,000 706 General Harper/Addison Hard 706 General Harper/Addison Soft 100,000 706 General Harper/Addison Hard 706 General Harper/Addison Soft Tenth Edition: copyright 2000 550,000 704 General Perseus Hard 704 General Perseus Soft 704 General Spiral 583 General in Chinese Eleventh Edition: copyright 2011 500,000 716 General Perseus Hard 716 General Perseus Soft 716 General Spiral (by NAP)
14 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
What’s Not in RONR (and what can you do about it)?
By David Mezzera, PRP
I’ve heard some very well-qualified parliamentarians make statements about factoids and features they claim can be found in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th ed., that just are not found at all in RONR. Consider Scenario A: the claim by some that RONR recommends that a 10th article for bylaws be inserted beyond N-O-M-O-M-E-C-P-A, specifically an article dealing with how to dissolve the organization should that come about. Although §56 allows for considering the inclusion of additional bylaw articles (such as on the subjects of finance or disciplinary procedures), there is no hint about adding an article specifically on dissolution. So when something is assumed to be in RONR, – but is not – how do we react to such an omission? Here are four additional actions or features that do not appear in the 718 pages (plus over 50 pages of preface and introduction), but which might pop up at some point in our association with clients who might ask us how
RONR deals with the situation. Think about each one and see how you would handle an explanation, if necessary, outside of RONR. Scenario B: Although the term
“censure” appears on six different text pages, it is never actually defined in RONR, nor is its effect ever explained. So what does “censure” mean and how is it used in parliamentary law? Scenario C: The phrase “vote of no confidence” appears nowhere in RONR. How could such a vote be carried out – or should it? Scenario D: The term “acclamation” is mentioned in three separate index entries, but they all refer to just one page of RONR (p. 443) where “acclamation” is mentioned as an alternate method of electing by unanimous consent. But no definition or explanation of how to vote by “acclamation” can be found. How could such a vote occur? Scenario E: RONR (p. 393) makes it clear that the maker of a motion may not speak against his own www.parliamentarians.org
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motion. But nothing in RONR deals with whether the maker of said motion may – or may not – speak against it if the original motion is amended. Can (s)he? So what can we do about these seeming omissions when we cannot rely on RONR for a direct answer? These tips below are by no means exhaustive. I bet each reader can come up with another suggested way to deal with the situation. But for now, consider the following possibilities: Scenario A: RONR (p. 582-3) does offer the potential of a 10th article in bylaws as noted above, and thus there is no problem with bylaws containing more than just the nine standard articles. If you are working with a group that is revising its bylaws, you might recommend that articles covering such items as executive committees, finance, discipline, and/or dissolution be added beyond the standard nine. If an unincorporated group were ever to dissolve itself, it would be helpful to have a specific provision built into the bylaws dealing with how to distribute the group’s assets or how to deal with a superior body. See p. 564 for some of the concerns expressed in RONR that would have to be taken into account (either by resolution or by a bylaw provision) if the group were to dissolve. Incorporated societies will likely be bound by the laws of their jurisdiction regarding dissolution Scenario B: “Censure” is listed
in RONR (p. 643) but never defined. 16 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
It could potentially be used as a penalty, but only if such is expressly noted in the group’s bylaws. While suspension of rights or expulsion from membership are clear enough, what does the penalty of “censure” really mean? In the U.S. Senate, a “censure” is a verbal reprimand or denouncement; it is not a removal from office. It is more of an embarrassment than an actual punishment, but nonetheless has a psychological effect on how colleagues and constituents see the member. If “censure” is mentioned in bylaws as one possible penalty (or if §61 is being applied as a guideline for disciplinary procedure), it would be wise to adopt a resolution specifying what exactly this penalty of “censure” signifies or to define it in the bylaws. If not, then why even use the term? Scenario C: Similar to “censure,” a “vote of no confidence” is relatively meaningless by itself in non-Parliament countries. Great Britain might use such a vote to attempt to remove the Prime Minister from that office, but it would not be used in this form in American politics. Some groups may want to employ this motion, but what is the effect of such a vote? Here it does not remove a person from office or membership. There is no “vote of confidence” in RONR, so what value does its opposite have? Having confidence or no confidence in a member or officer may simply be part of one’s debate on a motion or resolution to
remove a person from office. Other than that, introducing a motion of “no confidence” brings hard feelings with nothing resulting from it even if it were passed – so why even allow it? Scenario D: If there is no objection, let us look at the use of “acclamation!” RONR (p. 443) refers to “acclamation” as equivalent to unanimous consent in voting for an officer where there is but a single nominee, and the group’s bylaws do not mandate a ballot vote. But how is such “acclamation” accomplished? If any one member objects, unanimous consent or acclamation cannot be carried out. One possible method: If there is no objection, and the group wishes to vote by acclamation to show strong support of a candidate, a motion or a resolution, call for those in favor to indicate with a rousing “aye” or by applause. Then do not take a negative vote (which would be silly for total agreement) and declare the motion or resolution passed by unanimity or acclamation.
Scenario E: If a member changes
his mind on his own motion (or if it is amended to the point that he can no longer support it) RONR suggests (p. 393) that the member ask permission to withdraw the motion and then proceed from there. That same page indicates that a member may not speak against his own motion, but what if he appeals that the motion is no longer his if it has been substantively changed? Might a parliamentarian advise in the member’s favor, thus allowing a speech against the changed motion? To handle this, some groups have been known to adopt a Special Rule of Order that – simply put – allows a member to speak against a motion he introduced if the motion has subsequently been amended, taking care of this concern. As the adage goes, think outside the box. Or in these instances, think outside RONR.
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.
www.parliamentarians.org
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Handling a Main Motion Hexagon By Judith Reynolds, PRP
For a reason unrelated to parliamentary procedure, I searched the internet and found out how to fold a hexagon from a standard letter-size piece of paper. Recognizing that the structure is made up of six equilateral triangles, it struck me that the six steps of handling a main motion would fit neatly into the hexagon.
18 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
Note that each step has an action performed by an actor with a script. Addition of the narrow rectangle between steps six and one reinforces that one main motion must be disposed of before going onto the next. The back side of the hexagon has explanatory notes for the chair, and instructions to adapt the steps for amendments, undebatable motions, and motions requiring a 2/3 vote. Printed back to back on heavy paper, it is a handy visual aid that participants are like to keep and appreciate long after the lesson is over.
Judith Reynold, PRP, is a former high-school chemistry teacher, who became a PRP in 2006. She enjoys developing parliamentary study materials and coaching high-school parliamentary teams.
www.parliamentarians.org
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NAP Membership Test: Let’s Keep It,
Please by Daniel Ross
I have heard various members mention doing away with the membership exam for the National Association of Parliamentarians. There was even a heated discussion about this at the 40th Biennial Convention (Amendment #12 “Eliminate the Membership Exam”). I want to speak in favor of keeping the membership exam. Why? First: Whenever I meet a fellow member of NAP, I know what basic knowledge they already possess (due to the membership exam). If I am asked to recommend someone to serve as a parliamentarian for a group I cannot assist, and if I am presented with a list of names, none of whom belong to NAP, I cannot quickly assess if they have ANY level of knowledge of parliamentary procedure. I have seen some horror stories of non-NAP members “giving assistance.” Second: Through NAP’s International Services Committee
(ISC), a team and I have recently assisted three members with taking (and passing!) the NAP membership exam in Lesotho, South Africa. There was some tension among the prospective members while they prepared for the membership exam, but it has the positive side-effect of bringing them together during their studies. As we assisted the Lesotho members, it had the positive side-effect of giving the ISC direct knowledge of their situation, concerns, and problems getting study materials, etc. (to be explained in a future article). Without the membership exam, and our helping them through that testing process, those new members would probably be anonymous members who no one really knew, other than being “someone” having sent money to NAP and was now listed as a “member” (while remaining unknown). 20 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
Side Note
Some NAP members are Members at Large, not belonging to a local unit. Others live overseas. This can lead to a feeling of distance and isolation from the NAP organization and its members. “Unknown and anonymous” does not lead to a feeling of commitment to a group. This leads to the third point.
Third: The pride of the new members in recently passing the NAP membership test in Lesotho is palpable. This pride leads to committed members who stay around. Membership retention is a problem in many organizations. I think that the membership test has a positive effect on initial retention. I also recall my studies (actually, “over-studying”) to prepare for the NAP membership test. I read the Dummies Guide to Parliamentary Procedure, and The Idiot’s Guide to Parliamentary Procedure, from cover to cover. Both are written by NAP members. I drilled myself constantly on the 300questions.org website, created by Bob Hall, PRP. I also took an online course in Parliamentary Procedure created by William Puette, PRP. Oh, I also used the PDF of the NAP 300 questions study guide as part of my studies. Once I felt ready to take the NAP membership exam, I felt a sense of pride when I passed the membership test. AND, even more importantly, I felt a commitment to the group, via my interaction with a “live person” during the live online seminars or lessons. Fourth: At the 2015 convention where the motion to eliminate the membership exam was discussed, one member mentioned that his wife had studied very hard for the exam. If the exam were done away with, it would seem like a “slap in the face” to his wife by allowing others to join without studying. I understood that member’s sentiment. Passing an exam after putting in the time to study for it gives a sense of pride and accomplishment. Taking that opportunity away, after study, and before allowed to take the exam, is especially demoralizing.
The Other Side of the Argument First: “The entrance exam makes it difficult to quickly and easily gain new members.” On face value, this seems true and may be true. www.parliamentarians.org
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We would need to research how many members organizations, such as the American Institute of Parliamentarians, gain over the same time period. However, to be fair, we would also have to look at both organization’s turnover and retention rate, over that same time period. Second: “The membership exam is a joke. It is too easy, and anyone could pass it.” Interestingly, I think I have only heard this type of statement from PRPs. New members say (after they take the test) that it was “not that hard.” However, before they took the test, they were all a bit anxious about NOT passing the test, and this created a strong motivation for them to study. Would they have “over-studied” (as I did) if there were no membership test? In hindsight, the test looks easy. However, when it is looming in front of you, and you want to join, it is a strong stimulus to study; I can guarantee that! (I think that due to the depth of knowledge of the PRPs, they forget what Zen calls “Beginner’s Mind.” For the long-term veteran members, please remember what it was like before you were even a member. Some potential members start this journey with very little knowledge, or with many myths, half-truths, or misinterpretations cluttering their minds. Please remember that “newbie” mind.) Third: “The membership test is in the way of gaining new members.” Is this true? Possibly. However, will there also be short-term “flash-in-thepan” members with a lot of rapid turnover and very little longevity, retention, or commitment to the organization? Also, if we gained new members without the membership exam, how could we know what foundational level of knowledge they had.
In Conclusion I am in favor of keeping the membership exam. It ensures a basic level of knowledge, it enhances a sense of accomplishment and pride, and I believe it contributes to member retention and a greater sense of commitment to the organization. However, if the membership exam were to be eliminated for membership purposes, I seriously think it should be retained, with some sort of recognition of accomplishment award, as an intermediate step or goal of achievement between membership (without an exam) and gaining the RP credential. Daniel Ross lives in Japan. He is a member of the International Services Committee, eNAP, and Green Gavel Electronic Unit. He has been a member of NAP since 2010, just before surviving the Tsunami at “ground zero.” 22 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
C allin g A ll M embers !
Join us for
NAP
42nd Biennial Convention September 5-8, 2019
Westgate Las Vegas Hotel • Las Vegas, NV
N A P Opens in Vegas
Thursday, September 5 Don’t Miss It!
The NAP Biennial Convention is your best bet for expert-led continuing educational offerings in parliamentary procedure. There will be more than 30 educational sessions this year, including workshops and hands-on labs on such topics as motions, governing documents, minute taking, presiding, opinion writing – just to name a few. There truly will be something for everyone, regardless of experience. All offerings will tie back to NAP’s Body of Knowledge, which outlines the competencies leaders, consultants, and members need to run effective meetings and organizations. Even the organization’s biennial business meetings held during the convention are prime education. You will actually see and experience parliamentary procedure in action. You won’t have this kind of opportunity anywhere else. www.parliamentarians.org
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NAP
42nd Biennial Convention September 5-8, 2019 Westgate Las Vegas Hotel • Las Vegas, NV
Schedule at a Glance (As of 6/24/2019 – Subject to change) WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4 8 a.m.-1 p.m. – Golf Outing* 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – Leadership Conference (Separate registration required) 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Board of Directors Meeting 2 p.m.-7 p.m. – Registration & Credentialing Open 3 p.m.-7 p.m. – Bookstore Open 3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m. – NAPEF Annual Meeting 5 p.m.-6 p.m. – First Timers’ Orientation 6 p.m.-8 p.m. – Welcome Reception (sponsored by NAPEF) 8:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. – Bylaws Forum
THURSDAY, SEPT. 5 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. – Registration & Credentialing Open 7:30 a.m.-8:45 am. – Welcome Breakfast 9 a.m.-11:45 a.m. – NAP Business Meeting 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. – Lunch – “Celebrating Our Present” 1:30 p.m.-5 p.m. – Bookstore Open 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. – Workshops 2:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. – Break 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. – Workshops 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m. – NAPEF Lake Mead Dinner Cruise*
Join us for 18 holes before convention! Wednesday, Sept. 4 @ 8 a.m. Details at www.napconvention.com/ 2019golf * Requires additional ticket 24 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
FRIDAY, SEPT. 6 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. – Registration & Credentialing Open 7:30 a.m.-8:45 am. – Breakfast with the Commission 9 a.m.-11:45 a.m. – NAP Business Meeting 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. – Lunch – “Celebrating Our Past Presidents” 1:30 p.m.-5 p.m. – Bookstore Open 1:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m. – Credentialing Commission for RP Evaluators (RPs & PRPs only) 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. – Workshops 2:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. – Break 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. – Workshops 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. – Listening Session (Association & Unit Leaders only) 6 p.m.-7 p.m. – Districts’ Meetings
SATURDAY, SEPT. 7 7:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m. – Breakfast – “Anticipating Our Future” 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. – Registration Open 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. – Bookstore Open 9 a.m.-10 a.m. – Workshops 9 a.m.-11 a.m. – PDC Trainers Refresher Course 10 a.m.-10:15 a.m. – Break 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – Workshops 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. – Lunch (on your own) 1:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m. – Hands-On Labs: Parliamentarian, Presiding, Secretary
SUNDAY, SEPT. 8 7 a.m.-7:45 a.m. – Interfaith Service 8 a.m.- 9:45 am. – Closing Breakfast – “Moving Forward” 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – Workshops 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m. – 2019-2021 Board Meeting
Visit our website
www.napconvention
.com
to find more things that Vegas has to offer!
www.parliamentarians.org
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NAP
42nd Biennial Convention September 5-8, 2019 Westgate Las Vegas Hotel • Las Vegas, NV
Educational Sessions The following educational sessions will be available at the 2019 NAP Convention, September 5-8. Watch the NAP convention website (www.napconvention) for updates. All sessions are subject to change.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 1:30 P.M.-2:30 P.M. GD Bylaws: What Clients Have Taught Us About Bylaws Nancy Sylvester, PRP; Sandy Olson, PRP; Ronald Stinson, PRP; Lynna Gene Cook, PRP “What Clients Have Taught Us About Bylaws” will open your eyes to new adventures in evaluating bylaws. Join an experienced bylaws expert as she points out reasons for careful consideration and application of an organization’s rules. 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. BP Serving Churches and Denominations Leonard Young, PRP Serving churches and religious denominations is a specialty that parliamentarians should consider. However, if you are planning to do this, you must be willing to do a deep dive into the history, theology, and practice of the denomination you wish to serve. Often denominations have sets of rules that come from “Books of Discipline” or other religious documents that are more governing than their bylaws and more governing than RONR. This workshop will explore issues parliamentarians need to be aware of when proposing to serve a church or religious denomination.
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1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Mo Teach Interactively to Engage & Enlighten Lorenzo Cuesta, PRP; Tamara Dunning, RP This workshop will demonstrate four practical and effective methods to teach interactively. It is just as easy to do it right as it is to do it less than right. The learner will be engaged, empowered, and enlightened. 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. MM Board Creep: What a BOD Can and Cannot Do Adam Hathaway, PRP Board creep is the tendency of boards and committees to assume more authority than has been delegated to them. This session will cover board duties and operations and will clarify the source and limits of their powers. 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Ed Navigating Robert’s Rules of Order Tim Wynn, PRP This interactive workshop will examine how Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised is laid out. It also will provide helpful tips for quickly and intuitively finding the exact information you’re looking for.
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Cr Parliamentary Expertise in Court Alison Wallis, PRP This workshop will discuss how a credentialed parliamentarian can be qualified as an expert witness who can give opinions in court. The workshop will address how a parliamentarian can testify as to what rules apply in a specific case. Details will be provided on how to prepare for testimony with the lawyer beforehand and how to provide confident, competent, expert testimony. 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. PM Psychology of Voting James Stewart, PRP This workshop will look at the aspects of ballot design and the how it can affect voting patterns and results. 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. GD The Intersection of Parliamentary Procedure and the Law: What Parliamentarians and Organization Leaders Need to Know Carl Silverman, PRP, Alison Wallis, PRP Learn why it is important for leaders to be aware of federal, state, and local laws as the organization’s rules are established and followed. 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. BP Body Language for Parliamentarians Carl Nohr, PRP RONR information on body language is limited to instruction on when to stand when presiding. Parliamentarians are expected to be impartial. While language is an important part of this, a large part of communication is non-verbal, expressed through body language. The study of body language is therefore appropriate for parliamentarians. This includes dress, body position and facial expressions.
GD Governing Documents BP Business Practices Mo Motions MM Meeting Management Ed Education Cr Credentialing PM Parliamentary Mixture
2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Mo Parliamentary Olympics: Rules by the Numbers Vivian Vincent, PRP On your mark, get set, GO! Welcome to the 2019 Olympic Games of Parliamentary Rules. This workshop is a real exercise that teaches another way of learning and thinking about rules found in RONR. Run, swim, balance, and dance your way to a gold medal! (Running shoes, bathing suits, and leotards optional.) This lesson is an interactive exercise for participants to show their strength in subjects found in each chapter in RONR (11th ed.) in a race for the gold medal by competing in Olympic-style events. The lesson provides an opportunity for an overall review of RONR (11th ed.) from the principles underlying parliamentary law to ensuring fairness in a trial. The competitive events are focused on the numbers of topics, concepts, elements, procedures or steps necessary to process and dispose of business in a deliberative assembly. 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Ed Creative Teaching Strategies for a Stellar Performance Robert Blair, PRP The presenter will showcase several creative teaching strategies for the delivery of parliamentary procedure content to encourage teachers to make learning meaningful, fun, and interactive to aid in knowledge retention and effective application. Participants will leave with tangible, easy-to-implement ideas about how to enhance their teaching of parliamentary procedure for a wide variety of audiences. www.parliamentarians.org
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NAP 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Cr Ethics: What All NAP Members Need to Know NAP Ethics Committee Join members of NAP’s Ethics Committee as they review current NAP bylaws and the role of the committee and board in handling complaints. 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. PM John Nominee Is Elected, or Is He? Daniel Jackson, PRP Have you ever attended an election where the presiding officer and the parliamentarian appeared to have met for the very first time? Have you been in an election where the tellers report was delivered incorrectly and where the chair declared a candidate “elected” when there should have been “no election?” What do you do? Start with attending this interactive workshop. Come prepared to learn, grow, and have some fun...and don’t forget to bring your RONR.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. GD Special Rules of Order: “Where Do These Belong” Sandy Olson, PRP; Ronald Stinson, PRP; Lynna Gene Cook, PRP Why are special rules of order important to your organization? Should an organization include a parliamentary authority in their bylaws? Which governing document provides answers to client’s questions? Join the parliamentary team of three in an application using bylaws to answer the client’s dilemma.
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42nd Biennial Convention September 5-8, 2019 Westgate Las Vegas Hotel • Las Vegas, NV
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. BP Understanding Financial Statements & Improving Profitability: Valuing Your Business Darwin Hopwood Serving as a parliamentarian requires parliamentary content knowledge. But have you considered that a certain level of business savvy is needed to effectively manage your parliamentary practice? If yes, this workshop opportunity is for you. Come interact with SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors! You will have the opportunity to ask your questions about managing the business of serving as parliamentarian. 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Mo Filling Blanks Intelligently Using Creativity and Logic Jason Morgan, PRP Filling blanks is an underused device for considering an unlimited number of alternative choices, yet filling blanks is an ideal way of efficiently resolving several classes of issues. Moreover, under the guidance of an adept presiding officer or parliamentarian, filling blanks can be more intuitive and less confusing than approaches such as moving for secondary amendments. This workshop will focus on developing skills in planning to use and adeptly executing blank creation and filling in during deliberative meetings. Particular attention will be drawn to developing a model for how filling blanks helps balance the rights of the majority and the minority, and to how tailoring the blank-filling process to the assembly and the situation can strengthen the credibility of the process and the outcome.
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. MM The “Whole Committee” or the “Hole” Committee Kevin Connelly, PRP An examination of the use of Committee of the Whole and its alternate forms – Quasi Committee of the Whole and Informal Consideration. 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Ed When Real Life Meets Book Learning Nancy Sylvester, PRP Robert’s and other parliamentary authorities cannot keep up with all of the technological changes. Thus, real life meets book learning and proves that real life is far more complicated than the books make it sound! This workshop will focus on how to adapt to client issues when technology has capabilities Robert’s does not address. 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. PM Parli Pro in Pop Culture Donald Garrett, PRP This is an interactive workshop you won’t want to miss! Attendees will watch clips of “business meetings” from popular movies and TV shows and then critique whether the clip followed proper procedure under Robert’s. This will be followed by an open discussion about what we as parliamentarians can do to educate our communities about these common misconceptions.
GD Governing Documents BP Business Practices Mo Motions MM Meeting Management Ed Education Cr Credentialing PM Parliamentary Mixture
2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. GD Standing Rules: Can You Identify Standing Rules Ann Guiberson, PRP Does your organization know the value of having effective administrative rules? How are effective policies and procedures developed? Join a parliamentary guru in understanding the weight that effective standing rules play in answering client’s questions and assisting with the structure of understandable governing documents. 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. BP Understanding Financial Statements & Improving Profitability: Valuing Your Business Darwin Hopwood Serving as a parliamentarian requires parliamentary content knowledge. But have you considered that a certain level of business savvy is needed to effectively manage your parliamentary practice? If yes, this workshop opportunity is for you. Come interact with SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors! You will have the opportunity to ask your questions about managing the business of serving as parliamentarian.
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NAP 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Mo Taking Actions on Motions Previously Adopted: Rescind & Reconsider Dr. Cynthia Mayo, PRP; Margie Booker, PRP This workshop is designed to renew and provide information about the motions to Rescind and Reconsider. Interactive participation, case analysis, and issue scenarios will be provided as participants learn, discuss, and debate the characteristics, rules, and actions of the motions to Rescind and Reconsider. Participants will present motions to rescind and reconsider and participate in processing the requests, all designed to meet the democratic rules and processes as required in RONR, 11th Ed. 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. MM Writing Committee Reports and Recommendations William Puette, PRP Guidance for committee chairs on the best way to compose a report that contains recommendations which need to be framed for consideration by the organization and move the adoption of the committee’s recommendations. 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Ed Using Technology Tools to Teach Parliamentary Procedure Michael Peck, PRP Learn about the technology of tools available to Parliamentary instructors.
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42nd Biennial Convention September 5-8, 2019 Westgate Las Vegas Hotel • Las Vegas, NV
2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. PM Electronic Meetings that Pass Parliamentary Muster Lawrence Taylor, RP This workshop is an overview of Zoom, a state-of-the-art videoconferencing tool, and how to use Zoom to achieve essential parliamentary requirements for deliberative assemblies. Internet software for voting will also be demonstrated along with a workshop on Zoom, internet voting software, and sample electronic meeting rules.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2019 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. GD Interpretation Carl Silverman, PRP; Alison Wallis, PRP Are you equipped to handle questions that relate to your governing documents when they seem to contradict? Join this team of parliamentary attorneys as they interactively challenge you to decide the meaning of your governing documents. 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. BP Developing a Business Plan Bill Litchman 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Mo How to Fix It Olivia Headley, RP The presentation describes many meeting problems which could be solved using Standing Rules. She describes a volunteer, a leader, and the pitfalls of meetings that lead to poor attendance. Chances are that by using Standing Rules meetings will improve.
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. PM Absentee Voting in Modern Associations Brandon Walters, PRP In today’s fast-paced world, many organizations are thinking of new ways to engage with members, including voting on select matters and elections outside of a meeting. Before charging ahead, what exactly can be done according to Robert’s Rules? This workshop will explore the processes of voting by mail or by electronic means, examine the pros and cons of each, and discuss best practices for holding these elections fairly and honestly. 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Ed What Robert’s Doesn’t Say About Education Edward Magiste This workshop covers the highlights of how different age groups prefer to receive information. It will also provide participants with several interactive methods (experimental learning) to enhance their teaching of parliamentary law. 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. MM Dealing with the Problem Child in a Meeting Charles Schulz, PRP Through videos of actual meetings, we will explore proper handling of disruptive members in a meeting. We will pay particular attention to the limits of the power of the chair and the tools the chair may use to encourage enforcement of discipline by the assembly.
GD Governing Documents BP Business Practices Mo Motions MM Meeting Management Ed Education Cr Credentialing PM Parliamentary Mixture
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Cr Case Studies in Parliamentary Procedure Kirk Overbey, PRP The case study method has been used in the study of law, business and the behavioral sciences. So why not parliamentary procedure? The facts surrounding several legal cases will be presented. Participants will apply their parliamentary knowledge to obtain a conclusion, which will then be compared to the conclusions drawn in the legal case. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. GD Rule by the Rules David Mezzera, PRP This workshop will work with 20 scenarios by assigning a presiding officer to each and choosing a member to toss out a prepared question, challenge, or motion as part of each scenario. After each story-line is fully played out, all members will discuss other options of handling each situation. Come prepared to participate as a “volunteer” in order to practice presiding skills or as a sharing member of the group in order to help improve the skills of others.
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NAP 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. BP Submit for Print: Putting Your Parliamentary Influence in Writing Karen Watson, PRP Putting your parliamentary knowledge on paper, specifically to be printed in a publication or newsletter, increases your exposure and expertise as a parliamentarian. This workshop focuses on writing parliamentary topics for a specific, target audience. In addition, advice will be gleaned from NAP member-authors whose contributions have been selected more than once to be published in National Parliamentarian. This workshop is sure to inspire all NAP members – from the newest member to anyone credentialed as Professional Registered Parliamentarian – to be a writer or editor. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Mo The Practical Use of Motion Script Cards Donna Thompson, PRP With some debate and active participation, attendees will be able to quickly use NAP’s motion script cards during meetings, as well as have a tool to teach others how to use the cards. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. MM Disciplinary Trial Esther Heller, PRP The Milpitas Choral Society has a dilemma. Rumors are circulating that the music director has been seen doing shots and singing karaoke to the detriment of the Society’s reputation. Now the president must preside over trial a to determine what happened and what to do. Come, take part, vote!
32 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
42nd Biennial Convention September 5-8, 2019 Westgate Las Vegas Hotel • Las Vegas, NV
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Ed Questions I’d Like You to Answer for Me Daniel Seabold, PRP I learned parliamentary procedure by posing complicated scenarios to experts on the online RONR Question & Answer Forum. Reading their responses was a great way to learn how parliamentary rules apply in practice. For this workshop, I’ll seek input on some scenarios to which I have no satisfying solution. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Cr Youth Competitions: A Review of the National FFA Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Development Event Daniel Foster, PRP This workshop will include a wide array of training topics including (but not limited to): overview of current event, techniques to teach parliamentarian abilities, team resources, recruiting & selecting team members, conducting premium practice, preparing for the exam, moving debates from good to excellent, minutes, oral questions, and more! Workshop participants will determine which topics are focused on and delved into the most. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. PM Website Development Shanda Ross, Technology Cluster Leader; Loretta Tillery, Membership Cluster Leader
1:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m. PARLIAMENTARIAN LABORATORIES What does it take to be a successful parliamentarian? That’s what this interactive laboratory will explore. Choose the level that best suits you.
1:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m. PRESIDING LABORATORIES Each of the presiding laboratories provide a safe space to practice presiding. They give you an opportunity to think on your feet in a “life-like” presiding setting.
Parliamentarian Lab – Basic Advise the presiding officer on questions related to the 13 ranking motions. This lab is for those with little to no experience in serving as a parliamentarian.
Presiding Lab – Basic Practice processing main motions and to amend by inserting, adding, or striking out, using the six steps for handling a motion.
Parliamentarian Lab – Intermediate Advise the presiding officer on questions related to the 13 ranking motions and the most common incidental motions. This lab is for those who are ready to tackle more motions and other parliamentary situations. Parliamentarian Lab – Advanced Advise the presiding officer on any kind of motion or parliamentary situation. This lab is for those who want to stretch their abilities, test their skills, or assess their strengths and weaknesses.
Presiding Lab – Intermediate Practice handling the thirteen ranking motions and the most common incidental motions. Presiding Lab – Advanced In this lab, practice all the motions: 13 ranking motions, incidental motions, and bring back motions. Be ready for anything. 1:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Secretary Lab – All Levels Are meeting minutes always a question mark for you? Are you hearing minutes that take as long to read as the meeting? Then the Secretary Lab experience is for you. Come practice taking meeting minutes in a safe space with other learners and supportive coaches.
Sunday, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019
Be sure to sign up for the laboratory you want to attend when you register for the convention. There is no additional fee.
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. The Evolution of RONR Thomas J. Balch, PRP; Daniel Seabold, PRP In anticipation of the forthcoming publication of the 12th edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, the presenters will review the evolution of the manual through the preceding editions and describe the goals and methods of revising it.
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NAP
42nd Biennial Convention September 5-8, 2019 Westgate Las Vegas Hotel • Las Vegas, NV
How to Register Registering for NAP’s 42nd Biennial Convention is easy. Choose one of these convenient, secure options: • Register online at www.napconvention.com • 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 welcome reception Wednesday; buffet breakfast Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; Member Recognition Luncheon Thursday and Past Presidents’ Luncheon Friday; access to speaker handouts on the free GuideBook application. One-day registration includes meals and breaks offered only on the selected day.
MEMBERS
NON-MEMBERS
STUDENTS
$450 $475
$500 $525
$225 $235
$175 $200
$225 $250
$125 $150
FULL Convention Regular (7/16-8/19) On-site (after 8/19)
ONE-DAY Convention Regular (7/16-8/19) On-site (after 8/19)
Additional Fees Printed Workshop Material NAPEF Lake Mead Dinner Cruise (Thursday, Sept. 5) Includes a $65 donation to NAPEF
$20/copy $175 (after 8/4)
Golf Outing (Wednesday, Sept. 4)
CANCELLATION POLICY Registration refund requests must be received in writing by NAP Headquarters no later than August 19, 2019. A $75 cancellation fee will apply. No refunds will be issued for no-shows or cancellations received after August 19, 2019. A $30 handling fee will be assessed for all returned checks. 34 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
$80
Where to Stay & How to Get There
The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is the site of the 2019 convention. It is located just a block off the Strip with an onsite monorail stop for easy access to the bright lights and excitement of the Strip. It’s the best of both worlds. It has several dining options – Asian, steaks, Italian, Mexican, Starbucks – whatever you’re craving; an array of shops to purchase everything from souvenir magnets to resort apparel; a relaxing spa; music, comedy, and magic to entertain. And there’s the casino, of course. It’s aIl right there.
How to Get There Visit the website www.napconvention.com for information regarding transportation to and from the airport. For those of you driving, the hotel is offering NAP attendees complimentary self- and valet parking.
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino 3000 Paradise Rd. • Las Vegas, NV 89109 www.westgateresorts.com/hotels/nevada/las-vegas/ westgate-las-vegas-resort-casino
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Test Yourself
&
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 the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, unless otherwise indicated, and do not take into account such governing authorities as statutes, bylaws, adopted special rules of order, other parliamentary authorities, or earlier editions, except as specifically mentioned. Questions should be mailed to NP Q&A Editor, 213 South Main Street, Independence, MO 64060, or emailed to npeditor@nap2.org. In responses to questions, the following abbreviations are used: RONR
Henry M. Robert et al., Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (11th ed. 2011)
PL
Henry M. Robert, Parliamentary Law (1923)
PP
Henry M. Robert, Parliamentary Practice (1921)
Q&AII
NAP Questions & Answers II (1970)
Q&AIII NAP Questions & Answers III (1997) Q&AIV NAP Questions & Answers IV (2010) AIPSC
American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure (2012)
Demeter George Demeter, Demeter’s Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure (Blue Book ed. 1969) Keesey
Ray E. Keesey, Modern Parliamentary Procedure (2nd ed. 2018)
Mason
Paul Mason, Mason’s Manual of Legislative Procedure (2010 ed.)
Riddick Floyd M. Riddick & Miriam M. Butcher, Riddick’s Rules of Procedure (1985) POI
AIP Parliamentary Opinions (1982)
POII
AIP Parliamentary Opinions II (1992)
POIII
AIP Parliamentary Opinions III (2008) (electronic only)
Citations to earlier versions of Henry M. Robert’s rules of order are abbreviated as follows: RO
Editions 1-3, Robert’s Rules of Order
ROR
Editions 4-6, Robert’s Rules of Order Revised
36 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
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Questions Answers
Q
continued
QUESTION 71: The bylaws committee in our organization is very powerful. It not only reviews bylaws proposals by chapters and makes recommendations at the biennial convention, it also proposes its own bylaw amendments (which then have a priority in consideration), and can present revisions to chapter proposals that have a priority on consideration over the original proposal. Recently, committee members are feeling self-important and going on and on in committee deliberations, examining questions in unnecessary detail, going back and forth about style and usage issues, and not getting the job done. Some committee members feel that the problem is the rule that, in a committee, there is no limit on the number of times that a member can speak on a motion (Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th ed., p. 488), but it is not permissible to move the previous question or to limit debate, (RONR, pp. 488 n.*, 500). A member of a committee may only be denied the right to continue debating if he or she is speaking “in order to obstruct the business of the committee,” but only if “there will be no opportunity [to consult the body to which the committee reports] within the time needed to resolve the problem effectively.” (RONR, p. 500 n.*) A committee member who wants to speed things along has suggested suspending the rules to allow the previous question to be moved in committee. Can she do that?
ANSWER: At the beginning, it should be noted that the motion to suspend the rules is permissible in committees, as nothing on RONR, pp. 487–88 or 499–500 prohibits it. The motion to suspend the rules is a very flexible motion. Nevertheless, there are some constraints. A motion to suspend the rules cannot be adopted in violation of a fundamental principle of parliamentary procedure (RONR, p. 263). The text does not, however, speak directly to this situation. Some guidance can be gleaned from the motion to amend. A motion cannot be amended to cause the question, as amended, to be out of order (RONR, p. 138). Also, one motion cannot be amended to turn it into another type of motion (RONR, pp. 138–39). These principles can be applied by analogy to the motion to suspend the rules in this context. When the rules clearly prohibit the motion for the previous question in committee, the motion to suspend the rules, which requires the same vote (two-thirds) as the previous question, and is similarly undebatable and unamendable, the motion to suspend the rules cannot be used to do what is clearly prohibited by the parliamentary authority. If some members of the bylaws committee feel that a rule limiting debate or a rule allowing debate to be closed would be helpful, there are ways to address these issues. This is a recurring issue, and the convention does not meet regularly enough to address committee procedure issues that come up between conventions. www.parliamentarians.org
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Test Yourself
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Questions Answers continued
Therefore, the standard way to address concerns with committee procedure – to seek guidance and instruction from the superior body to which the committee reports, RONR, p. 500 n.* – would not work. In this case, the organization could adopt a standing rule allowing the bylaws committee (or all committees) to use the motions for the previous question and to limit debate. This rule would be adopted by the body to which the committee reports, in this case, the biennial convention. Some organizations that meet infrequently, such as conventions, by bylaw or rule, go so far as to allow committees to adopt their own procedures, much like boards. See RONR, p. 486. Each organization has its own history and culture. Therefore, the general rules as prescribed in the parliamentary authority, although useful default rules, do not fit perfectly for every organization. In this case, a standing rule would be appropriate because the rule relates to the procedures of a subordinate body, a committee, and not to the procedures of the convention itself (RONR, p. 18). Of course, anything that can be done by a standing rule can also be included in a higher-level governing document, such as special rules or bylaws. Typically, the desire is for maximum flexibility to change the rules to address ongoing experience, so the rule should be kept at the lowest level possible. This organization may want to consider (rather than simply allowing the motion for the previous question to be raised in the bylaws committee) crafting a customized rule that works for this committee, for example, allowing the previous question to be raised only after three days of committee consideration, or after each committee member who wishes to speak has spoken twice, or to be adopted only on a three-fourths vote.
Q
Question 72: Member A was accused of making untrue statements that certain members were not receiving meeting notices. After a trial before the disciplinary committee, Member A was determined to be guilty and suspended for six months. In our club, there is only an appeal to the membership from a termination by the disciplinary committee, not from a suspension. Some members want to publish the findings of the disciplinary committee in the club newsletter as a warning to others not to misbehave similarly in the future, and because (despite the strict confidentiality kept within the disciplinary committee) many members have heard the untrue statements and want to know what is being done. Others want to continue to maintain the confidentiality of the disciplinary proceedings and not release public statements of any sort. Who is right?
ANSWER: The relevant provision of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th ed., p. 655, states: 38 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
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Questions Answers continued
“If (after trial) a member is expelled or an officer is removed from office, the society has the right to disclose that fact – circulating it only to the extent required for the protection of the society or, possibly, of other organizations. Neither the society nor any of its members has the right to make public the charge of which an officer or member has been found guilty, or to reveal any other details connected with the case. To make any of the facts public may constitute libel. A trial by the society cannot legally establish the guilt of the accused, as understood in a court of law; it can only establish his guilt as affecting the society’s judgment of his fitness for membership or office.” In this case, the member was not expelled but only suspended. RONR only allows disclosure in the case of expulsion or removal from office and does not discuss lesser discipline like suspension. In general, a suspension should not be broadcast beyond the relevant decision-makers. Certainly, it should not be published in the newsletter, which could be distributed beyond the membership to friends and acquaintances outside the club. By analogy to the treatment of an expulsion, the results of the suspension should be mentioned outside the disciplinary committee only on an “as needed” basis. For example, if there is a members-only outing during her suspension period, Member A would not be allowed to participate. Member A should be expected to refrain from participating on her own honor based on her knowledge of the suspension, but Member A has already shown herself to be dishonest once. There should be a way to ensure that if she sends in payment for the outing, the check will be returned to her. The event organizers do not need to be told about the suspension if there is a way for the disciplinary committee to monitor and verify that Member A is not participating. If there is no way for the disciplinary committee to do that, then the organizers of the event may be told only that Member A is on a short-term suspension and cannot participate in the event. Similar issues can be addressed by analogy.
Questions & Answers Research Team
Michael Malamut, PRP, Q&A Research Editor
C. Alan Jennings, PRP, Assistant Q&A Research Editor
James H. Stewart, PRP, NAP Parliamentarian
Helen McFadden, PRP, Parliamentary Consultant
Advisor: John Stackpole, RP www.parliamentarians.org
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NAP Connections
Report from the Board of Directors The Board of Directors of the National Association of Parliamentarians met via Adobe Connect on May 14, 2019. President Jim Jones, PRP, reported that • Plans have been approved to on-site membership exams for external organizations • Reached an agreement with Veterans of Foreign War for educational programming • Reached an agreement with the Office of the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church (USA) for educational programming • Conducted an educational program on board governance and parliamentary procedure for Colgate University Political Science program. The International Service Committee reported that: • William Puette, PRP, has created a series of videos to help prepare individuals taking the 40 question exam membership option. A group of potential members in South Africa has tested the videos. • The Ontario Association of Parliamentarians held a conference and annual session on June 1, 2019. The Educational Resources Committee reported that they are continuing to review text and scripts for materials. • The Focus on Leadership – Treasurer book is ready for printing. • Pathways to Proficiency – What Happened in the Meeting has been updated. • The Veterans of Foreign Wars has offered exhibit space at their 120th Convention in Orlando, FL., July 20-24. The headquarters office is once again at full staff. • Alexandra Blair is focused on communications and marketing as well as credentialing. • Cheryl DeShon joined us a month ago and is responsible for all things membership. • Susan Bradley is our part-time fulfillment and administrative assistant. 40 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
NAP Connections
District 7 Trailblazers Keep Blazing On! District 7 recipients of NAP’s Trailblazer Award continue to thrive and contribute to NAP legacy and reputation despite their advanced years. It might be said that if a person’s sixties, seventies, and eighties are one’s Golden Years, these two lovely ladies would be in their Platinum Years! Florence Motley, of Tacoma, WA, received NAP’s Trailblazer Award in April 2018. She is respectfully known as “Mrs. Motley” to all who know her except maybe her family and closest of friends. That is mainly because she has outlived all of her elders, having celebrated her 107th Birthday on March 28, 2019. She was born just two weeks before the voyage of the Titanic! Mrs. Motley joined NAP in June 1977, and is still a member of the Evergreen Research Unit of NAP in Tacoma. Once again, it might be hard to prove or disprove because there are no such records, but she is arguably the oldest current member of NAP! Although her health keeps her from regularly attending meetings, she maintains her NAP membership and actively keeps up with NAP events and her Unit’s events, and does attend some of its social functions, such as its Holiday Party and Officer Installation Dinner. The passing of so many years has not dampened her enthusiasm and passion for NAP, parliamentary procedure, and service to her community. In May 2019, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards presented Mrs. Motley with the Key to the City!
Florence Motley receives a 2018 Trailblazer Award from NAP Secretary and District 7 Director Kevin Connelly, PRP www.parliamentarians.org
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NAP Connections
Beaumont Unit Workshop The Beaumont Texas Unit recently hosted a one-day workshop “Parliamentary Basics, and Focus on Essential Features of Bylaws,” featuring Lucy Hicks, PRP. The eighteen attendees included a mix of community members and NAP members. In addition, the unit awarded Reba B. Murphey, RP-R, Honorary Member and Life Member. Reba joined NAP in 1988 and became Attendees of the Beaumont Unit April workshop: Front Row – left to right: LaDonna Alford; Dorothy E. Harris; Reba Murphey, RP-R; Edward Moore, a Registered PRP, president Texas State Association of Parliamentarians; Beverly L. Hatcher; Lucy Hicks Anderson, PRP. Back Row – left to right: Alexis Noel; Parliamentarian in Shirlene S. Cook; Addie D. Allen; Shannon Y. Castille; Mary Ann Williams; 1989. She currently Darnella Wilkerson; Darlene Price Bailey; Tophas Anderson; Pamela Cooper; holds retired status. Anthony L. Stewart; Sandra C. Henson; Gail E. Lover, RP NEW REGISTERED PARLIAMENTARIANS* NP congratulates the following individuals on becoming Registered Parliamentarians: Artice Dunbar Hedgemon (TX) Beatrice Squire (VA) Bennyfer Bridgewater (TX) Betty J. Bell (KY) Christina Klingensmith (CO) Craig L. Mayo (VA) Deen J. Meloro (NJ) Denise Mustiful-Martin (TN)
Holli Beasley Townsend (MD) Jackie Compton Bunch (OH) Jane A. Shovlin (MD) Jeremy Likens (OR) Joe Neglia (AZ) Joyce F. Ballard (CA) Kelley R. Jones (NV)
Laura Jayne McPhee (AB) Manuel Torres-Nieves (PR) Mark Desrosiers (CT) Mark Schwarzbauer (WI) Myrna Phillips (NY) Nona Fisher (TX) Pandora Osler (CO) Paul Kenneth Belz- Templeman (OR)
Steven J. Bolen (TX) Steven Jay Berke (VA) Taidong Fang (CN) Tanya Johnson (NM) Thierry C. Boubert (NY) Traci Leigh BransfordMarquis (NJ) Wanda E. Brown (IL) Zhimin Zhong (CN)
New Professional Registered Parliamentarians* NP congratulates the following individuals for attaining the status of Professional Registered Parliamentarian: David Jackson (NY) Henry Lawton Jr. (FL)
Kenneth Soo (NC) Linda Young (FL)
Marilyn Jones Woodson (AL) Stephanie King (FL) Mary Lou Harden (FL) Theodore Allman (FL)
Silent Gavel* NP commemorates members who have passed from our midst; may they rest in peace: Doris Abbate (NY) Alice T. Allen (CA) Mary Lou Chester (KY)
Samuel J. Gales (CA) Kim Goldsworthy (CA) Mary Ellen Harris (CA)
Angela B. Jenkins (AL) Frederick N. Larsen (MO)
Felicia Malone (NY) Patrick C. Pinney (OH)
* For the period March 21, 2019 thru June 26, 2019 42 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
NAP Connections
New Members* NP welcomes the following individuals as new members: Tefelo Matlatsa (LE) Makobasia Matsepe (LE) Mamphahlele Moruthane (LE) Cheryl Allen (AL) Lovelle Buchanon (AL) Renee Butler (AL) Lynda Carroll (AL) Tamatra Crook (AL) Barbara Franklin (AL) Murphy Green (AL) Sarah Hrobowski (AL) Mimi Johnson (AL) Evelyn Latham (AL) Alexis Lee (AL) Harriett Littlepage (AL) Vanessa Long (AL) Judy Mannings (AL) Terry Miller (AL) Allen Prescott (AL) Chandra Sawyer (AL) Edna Sheridan (AL) Martha Sherrod (AL) Tameeka Vann (AL) Denise Fisher (AB) Nestor Shapka (AB) Gwen Wilkinson (AB) Shanta Mayes (APO) Shelley Bissell (AZ) Diana Hutchinson (AZ) Candace Martin (AR) Noma Bruton (CA) Stephanie Roseen (CA) Brandon Tsubaki (CA) Stacy Weaver (CA) Ben Xi Chen (CN) Yong Fu Guo (CN) Yu Long Han (CN) Jianchao Han (CN) Gang Sun (CN) Hong Kun Wang (CN) Christine Collick (CO) Brenda Granger (CO) Caryn Harlos (CO)
Sharon Hazel-Griggs (CO) Sharon Hicks (CO) Wanda Lenox (CO) LaTonya Mitchell-Holmes (CO) Faye Rison (CO) Tifarrah Robinson (CO) Cecelia Rodriquez (CO) Judy Sadler (CO) Audrell Samuels (CO) Deborah Timberlake (CO) Gwendolyn Valencia (CO) Christina Young (CO) Adrienne Bey (DE) Javette Lane (DE) Anthony Morris (DE) Renee Nelson (DE) Elaine VanderhorstWilliams (DE) Keeva Harmon (DC) Candace Jackson (DC) Shigeru Sakurai (DC) Winifred Allen (EL) Talia Benders (EL) Nakisha Boulware (EL) Sheerene Brown (EL) Tracey Brown-Whye (EL) Lori Bush (EL) Rose Elliott (EL) Summer Favors (EL) Tracee Fields-Minor (EL) Tatia Hinson (EL) Patrice Holness (EL) Hazel Johnson (EL) Jasmine King (EL) LaVerne Mason (EL) Evelyn Sanders (EL) Vanessa Smith (EL) Nichelle Williams (EL) Michael Borg (FL) Charles Chase (FL) Clifton Eserman (FL) Robin Fenwick (FL)
Elizabeth Garcia- Beckford (FL) Kevin Gardner (FL) Ida Goodman (FL) Edward Janz (FL) Steve Jeantet (FL) Brian Pelkie (FL) Kathryn Peto (FL) Laura Reed (FL) Heather Taylor (FL) Scarlett Gibson (GA) Joy Jackson-Guilford (GA) Gwendolyn Martin (GA) Lois Thames (GA) Leslie Watkins (GA) Donald Wheat (GA) Paul Belczak (HI) Linda Charles (IL) Sharon Slaton (IL) Mark Thornburg (IN) Verna Washington (IN) Randall Schultz (IA) William Myers (LA) Yolonda Wornner Prevost (LA) Tun Heang Ong (MY) Laniel Brown (MD) Barbara Burgess (MD) Monica Correll (MD) Monita Crump-Sisco (MD) Elise Dent (MD) Cheryl Ervin (MD) Audrey Farley (MD) Audrey Freeman (MD) Ardena Githara (MD) Keli Jackson (MD) Althea Jones (MD) Leslie Lyles Smith (MD) Stacey Mangham (MD) Stephanie Massey (MD) Daisy Matthews (MD) Sheri Montgomery (MD) Vanessa Nicholls (MD) George Parson (MD)
Donna Salmon (MD) Benita Swindell (MD) Bridgette Tillman (MD) Regina Whitted (MD) Jorae Williams (MD) Delores Willis (MD) DeVette Brown (MI) Roxanne Chatman (MI) Harriet Cosby (MI) Coretta Houge (MI) Tamara Jackson- Gatewood (MI) Billijean Johnson (MI) Sheree McLaughlinGoodman (MI) Erin Moore (MI) Mary Moore (MI) Nakia Plummer (MI) Shannon Polk (MI) Sheryl Pryor (MI) Kristine Ranger (MI) Cynthia Reaves (MI) Carlyn Robinson (MI) Shelia Royster (MI) Marilynn Rudolph (MI) Alicia Skillman (MI) Patricia Smith (MI) Maureen Stapleton (MI) Raymell Tyler (MI) Andrea Williams (MI) Earnetta Williams (MI) Sharon Windfrey (MI) Deborah Young (MI) Christopher Kwapick (MN) Lucinda Carter (MS) Stephanie Smith- Jefferson (MS) Valerie Webber (MS) Ashley Wicks (MS) Sheretta Barnes (MO) Valencia Broadus (MO) Virginia Campbell (MO) Margaret Evans (MO) Continued on page 44
* For the period March 21, 2019 thru June 26, 2019 www.parliamentarians.org
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NAP Connections
New Members* Verna Jenkins (MO) Marla Karr (MO) Willa Patterson (MO) Deborah Phillips (MO) Howard Rice (MO) Elizabeth Thomas (MO) Gary Waner (MO) Karen Waner (MO) Georgette Geotsi (NEAP) John Grout (NEAP) Claudia Kidd (NEAP) Rose Acerra (NJ) Amy Allen (NJ) Sandra Baker (NJ) Zende Clark (NJ) Samantha Dow (NJ) Juanita High (NJ) Lekesha Hill (NJ) Gordon MacPherson (NJ) Tonya McDowell (NJ) Patricia McGhee (NJ) Judith McGriff (NJ) Tonya Rufus (NJ) Jennifer Virgil (NJ) Alichia Washington (NJ) Jennifer White-Reid (NJ) Victor Ajayi (NY) Simone Belgrave (NY) Tricia Callender (NY) Gricelda Chavez (NY) Stephanie Dawson (NY) Mildred DeWitt (NY) Rachelle Dickerson (NY) April Drummond (NY) Deidre Flowers (NY) Joery Francois (NY) Lisa Gay (NY) Sierrah Grigsby (NY) Coretta Killikelly (NY) Benita Kinard (NY) Gingie McLeod (NY) Molly Miller (NY) Sabra Pacheco (NY) Vanessa Rice (NY) Omar Senior (NY)
(continued) Julius Smalls (NY) Claudia Smith (NY) Virginia Toomer (NY) Yvonne Torres-Bratcher (NY) Jamie Whitfield (NY) Amy Young (NY) Pamela Wright (NC) Myesha Atley (OH) Melanie Carmichael (OH) Eileen Cook (OH) Lisa Dubose (OH) Marc Frey (OH) Felisha Gould (OH) Giesele Greene (OH) Jeanneth Johnson (OH) Alta Jones Weinkam (OH) Peter Kierstead (OH) Dana LaGarde (OH) Andrea Price (OH) Tresa Rice (OH) Valerie Rosmarin (OH) LaToya Smith (OH) Belva Tibbs (OH) Darlene Cook (OR) Yvonne Johnson (OR) Kamala Allen (PA) Melissa Flynn (PA) Michelle London (PA) Nathan Moyer (PA) Greta Wilkerson-El (PA) Nicole Williams (PA) Emily Gongon (PR) William Everroad (SC) Latorsha Murray (SC) Camilla Pitman (SC) Quinta Martin (TN) Patricia Poellnitz (TN) Inetta Rogers (TN) Lynda Simmons (TN) Lashell Vaughn (TN) Arther Wells-Lewis (TN) Bryce Corsaut (TX) Tamesia Garner (TX) Deborah Jordan (TX)
Charles Rush (TX) Melanie Brunson (VA) Ramona Chapman (VA) Helen Clayton-Brown (VA) Paula Coates (VA) Adrienne Derricott (VA) Rosalind Everette (VA) Linda Hall (VA) Bessie Hawkes (VA) Shirley Higgs (VA) Charolette Holloway (VA) Tracy Johnson (VA) Diane Jones (VA) Charles Lee (VA) Flint Lewis (VA) Rhonda Luss (VA) Lisa Madron (VA) Gwendolyn McCorvey (VA) Bethanie Mickles (VA) Fatimah Moody (VA) Angela Moss (VA) Donald Owens (VA) Robert Pettis (VA) Jean Pittman (VA) Joan Porte (VA) Valerie Pullen (VA) Dorian Ridley-Curtis (VA) Angela Roberts (VA) Sasha Rousseau (VA) Antoinette Smith (VA) Bianca Stewart Williams (VA) Katrina Turner (VA) Tommy Walker (VA) Mary White (VA) Charles White (VA) Kianna Bolante (WA) Pamela Brown (WA) Ray Ceaser (WA) James Logan (WA) Nicholas Novakovich (WA) Amanda Walston (WA) Grace Gardner (WI) Kim Rantanen-Day (WI) Becky Tellier (WI)
Thank you instructors! A special thank you to the instructors of the aforementioned new members: Alison Wallis, PRP Angela Jenkins, PRP Bernie Callender, PRP Beverly Tatham, PRP Bonnie Murdah, PRP Carol Sinclair Carolyn Shields Cheryl Oleyar Cindy Hinckley, PRP Cynthia Mayo, PRP Dacia Robertson Deborah Underwood Debra Henry, PRP Donna Thompson, PRP Emma Faulk, PRP Gail Lover, PRP Gwen Simmons, PRP James Williams, PRP Jewel Jones, PRP John Leesburg, Joy Freeland, PRP Joyce Gleason, PRP Juana Love Karen Price, PRP Kay Crews, PRP Kevin Connelly, PRP Larry Martin, PRP Margie Booker, PRP Maurice Henderson, PRP Michelle Bobrow Reba Hollingsworth, PRP Rufus Sadler Steven Anderson, PRP Tami Wells-Thomas Valerie Jones, PRP Yvette Keesee, PRP
* For the period March 21, 2019 thru June 26, 2019 44 National Parliamentarian • Summer 2019
NAPEF Invites You to a Dinner Cruise on Lake Mead Thursday, September 5, 2019
Enjoy cooler temperatures and smooth sailing on Lake Mead.
Schedule
Take in the breathtaking scenery while enjoying a delicious dinner aboard the Desert Princess, a 3-level paddle wheeler. You can stay on the two enclosed decks where it’s cool or take in the cool, clean air on the open promenade deck. Dinner includes your choice of beef, chicken, seafood, or pasta entrees and a lovely seasonal dessert.
5:50 p.m. Arrive at the Desert Princess
4:30 p.m. Depart the Westgate
6:15 p.m. Board the Desert Princess 6:30 p.m. Dinner & Cruise 8:30 p.m. Depart for the Westgate 9:45 p.m. Arrive at the hotel
MAKE RESERVATIONS when you register for the NAP Biennial Convention Regular Rate (after 8/4/2019) = $175 Includes a $65 contribution to help NAPEF fund parliamentary education grants NO REFUNDS www.parliamentarians.org
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National
Parliamentarian
®
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