President’s Message Embracing the Unknown

Embracing the Unknown

Michael Jordan is quoted as saying, “I can’t speak for the future, I have no crystal ball.” We began 2020 with fanfare and high expectations. We were buoyed by using catchphrases that conveyed a message of being laser-focused, and thoughts of Barbara Walters. Times have changed. There has been a seismic shift in life as we know it.

In addition to being knowledgeable about parliamentary procedure and terminology, we have become familiar with the practice of social distancing, self-quarantine, and wearing of PPE. The latter concepts are embraced globally and directly affect our ability to safely monitor the membership and registered parliamentarian exams.

Organizations have been jolted from their comfort zones to deal with a new, virtual reality. NAP felt the jolt also. As you probably already know, the NAP Board of Directors voted to hold this year’s NTC virtually. Quality virtual sessions will be presented. See pages 26-27 for more information.

In the meantime, our members are learning to steer themselves through what it takes to host and manage virtual meetings. Virtual meetings and video chats are filling the void for those not able to meet in-person. The NAP Board arranged presentations over several months to assist members in navigating the uncharted territory. The webinars addressed the burning questions around what to do when governing documents do not authorize virtual meetings. The various webinars were presented by Adam Hathaway, PRP, panelists Thomas “Burke” Balch, PRP, Weldon Merritt, PRP, and Timothy Wynn, PRP, Dave Whitaker, PRP, Larry Taylor, PRP, Donald I. Garrett, PRP, and Brandon H. Walters, PRP. Latisha Corley, Evan Lemoine, PRP, and Wanda Sims, PRP, also presented as a panel to assist unit and association treasurers in their duties and responsibilities.

The Robert’s Rules Association released Sample Rules for Electronic Meetings ahead of the release of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th edition. The link can be found on the NAP website www.parliamentarians.org.

There is information available from various sources to help choose a virtual meeting platform, create rules to conduct electronic meetings to include gaining recognition to the floor, motions, voting, and other aspects of conducting a productive meeting. It is only a click away.

“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards,” as stated by Søren Kierkegaard, aptly sums up where we find ourselves today. When looking back, we should think of this experience not in terms of a departure from normalcy but rather adjustments to our best practices. The bar has been raised and we should rise, too.

Stay safe, Darlene T. Allen, PRP NAP President 2019-2021