Soaring to New Heights – 2022 NTC, Albuquerque, NM

Soar to new heights. 2022 NAP Training conference

Albuquerque, NM Sept. 8-11, 2022

2022 NTC

Are you ready to get away? To travel again? We are!

Join us in Albuquerque, September 8-11, for the 2022 NAP Training conference, the largest conference on parliamentary procedure in the country. It offers the highest caliber of training through more than 30 workshops presented by some of the top parliamentarians in the field.

2022 NTC

Albuquerque, NM Sept. 8-11, 2022

oN ThE RoAD AGAiN NAP Heads to Albuquerque

Events begin Thursday, September 8, at 12:00 p.m. with a lunch celebrating our members (included in registration). That will be followed by an orientation for those new to the training conference. The Annual Meeting will be the opening session for the conference, complete with a report of the association and its finances by President Wanda Sims, PRP, and Treasurer Henry Lawton, PRP, respectively. The welcome reception Thursday following the annual meeting will feature an exciting performance by Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque’s flamenco dancers. Come experience the passion and energy of this powerful art form. Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque, a unique partnership between Heritage Hotels and Resorts (owners of Hotel Albuquerque) and the National Institute of Flamenco. Together they are working to sustain and promote this cultural gem. Education takes center stage Friday and Saturday. Regardless of whether you are a volunteer parliamentarian or a Professional Registered Parliamentarian, you owe it to yourself and the organizations you serve to be the best you can be. There is always something new to learn at the NAP Training Conference. See you in September!

EDUcATioNAL SESSioNS What to Expect

Learn Connect Explore

NAP’s Training conference is all about the education—and the networking, of course. The caliber and diversity of the education is unique to the NAP conference. There will be more than 30 workshops for you to choose from this year.

More details will be forthcoming. Watch for the NAP Member Update e-newsletter and the www.napconference.com website.

Come early and treat yourself to a well-deserved vacation over the Labor Day weekend!

Albuquerque, NM A Unique Experience to Remember

There is so much to do and see in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Here are a few examples: • Tour old Town Albuquerque, located just across the street from the Hotel

Albuquerque. It offers exemplary dining and shopping options, art galleries, and even a winery. • Catch the ABQ Trolley at the hotel for a fully narrated, multimedia, guided tour of the area. • Visit the various museums and cultural centers in Albuquerque including the Museum of Art & history in Old Town, indian Pueblo cultural center, New Mexico

Museum of Natural history &

Science, and the Balloon Museum. • Enjoy the ABQ Biopark—which includes the zoo, botanic garden, and aquarium—situated along the Rio Grande River near downtown. • Prepare for an amazing food experience that is a unique blend of

Mexican, Native American, and Spanish flavors—the most important element of which is chile—both red and green.

New Mexico’s “official state question” is “Red or green?” Answer “Christmas” and try them both!

Learn more about this culturally rich city at www.visitalbuquerque.org.

2022 NTC

Albuquerque, NM Sept. 8-11, 2022

SchEDULE AT A GLANcE

2022 PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS

Schedule subject to change. See www.napconference.com for the latest information.

NAP PRoFESSioNAL DEVELoPMENT EVENTS

Separate registration required

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

8:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m. — PRP Qualifying Examination (PQE) 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. — PRP Renewal Certification (PRC)

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

8:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m. — PRP Qualifying Examination (PQE) 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. — PRP Renewal Certification (PRC)

2022 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Schedule subject to change. See www.napconference.com for the latest information.

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. — Professional Qualifying Exam(s) 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. — Professional Renewal Certification(s) 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. —Board of Directors 3:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. — Registration

Thursday, September 8, 2022

12:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. — Board of Directors (tentative) 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. — Registration/Bookstore 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. — Lunch – Member celebration* 1:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m. — First Timers Orientation 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. — opening: Annual Meeting 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. — Welcome Reception/Happy Hour 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. — NAPEF Board of Trustees

Friday, September 9, 2022

7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. — Buffet Breakfast* 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. — Registration/Bookstore 9:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m. — Workshops 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. — Workshops 12:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m. — Lunch w/Strategic

Planning committee*

2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m. — Workshops 3:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. — Workshops 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. — NAPEF Annual Meeting

Saturday, September 10, 2022

7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. — Buffet Breakfast* 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. — Registration/Bookstore 9:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m. — Workshops 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. — Workshops 12:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m. — Lunch w/Professional Responsibility

& Member Discipline committee*

2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m. — Workshops 3:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m. — Workshops 5:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. — closing ceremony

* Included in registration

MoRE To Do iN ALBUQUERQUE

Find the cow Alien Abduction Road Sign, seen on the historic Turquoise Trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

2022 NTC

Albuquerque, NM Sept. 8-11, 2022

Where to Stay & How to Get There

The historic hotel Albuquerque at old Town will host the 2022 NTC. It combines the modern with the old-world charm that distinguishes this area and is just steps away from the cultural dining venues in Old Town.

The 2022 NTc rate is $159 (plus taxes) for king or double rooms*

The easiest way to reserve your room is online at 2022NAPCON. Or call the hotel at 866.505.7829 and reference NAP Conference of 2209NATION_001. The conference rate is effective for stays beginning Friday, September 4, thru Monday, September 12. The discounted rate will also be extended for those arriving and departing three days before or after these dates, based on availability—so reserve your room early!

Transportation to and from the Airport

Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town is 6.2 miles from the Albuquerque Sunport airport. Ride sharing or taxis are the most affordable options at $25-$30 one way. If using Lyft, apply the discount code “hotelgold” for added savings. If driving to the hotel, the hotel offers complimentary self-parking.

hotel Albuquerque at old Town 800 Rio Grande Blvd. NW Albuquerque, NM 87104 www.hotelabq.com

MoRE To Do iN ALBUQUERQUE

• Cruise the nostalgic Route 66 as it winds through downtown

Albuquerque. • Rise above it all on a hot air balloon ride.

• Take a day trip to Santa Fe and stroll Canyon Road, “The Art & Crafts Road.”

• “Breaking Bad” fans may enjoy a Breaking Bad RV Tour.

2022 NTC

Albuquerque, NM Sept. 8-11, 2022

How to Register

Choose one of these convenient, secure options to register for the 2022 NAP Training Conference: • Register online at www.napconference.com/register • Register by mail or fax using the accompanying 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 online access to all submitted handouts; Member Celebration lunch Thursday; welcome reception Thursday; buffet breakfasts and lunches Friday and Saturday. One-day registration includes meals offered only on the selected day.

FULL coNFERENcE MEMBERS NoN-MEMBERS STUDENTS

Early Bird (by July 31) $450 $500 $225 Regular (August 1-24) $475 $525 $240 On-site (after August 24) $495 $550 $250

oNE-DAY coNFERENcE

Early Bird (by July 31) $235 $285 $115 Regular (August 1-24) $260 $310 $130 On-site (after August 24) $300 $330 $140

ADDiTioNAL FEES

Printed Workshop Materials — $20/copy

cANcELLATioN PoLicY

Registration refund requests must be received in writing by NAP Headquarters no later than August 24, 2022. A $75 cancellation fee will apply. No refunds will be issued for no-shows or cancellations received after August 24, 2022. A $30 handling fee will be assessed for all returned checks.

&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 .

The abbreviations used in these questions and answers are explained in National Parliamentarian Vol . 83, No . 1, Fall 2021, p . 18 .

Questions should be emailed to npquestions@nap2.org.

Appreciation is expressed to Thomas J. Balch, PRP and Steve Glanstein, PRP, for their assistance with this research question and answer.

QQuESTION 10:

My club has a nominating committee that proposes at least one nominee for each office, and the nominees so chosen by the committee will have their names pre-printed on the ballots that are provided to members when they arrive and check in for the meeting.

At our last annual meeting, ballots provided had one name for each office, and there were no nominations from the floor. We still had to vote by ballot since our bylaws require ballot voting in the election and don’t allow it to be waived.

Our president explained that members should mark their ballots with X’s next to the names of the nominees they wish to elect for each office.

I served as a teller to assist with collecting and counting the ballots. All of the nominees were elected to their respective offices, but one ballot had checks instead of X’s next to the names of the nominees (“Ballot 1”), and one ballot turned in had no marks on it (“Ballot 2”). The tellers committee counted

Ballot 1 as a valid vote cast for each nominee, and Ballot 2 as an abstention.

I understand that regardless of how these ballots were counted, the result would have been the same. But I still want to know if the committee counted these ballots correctly. Were Ballots 1 and 2 counted correctly?

ANSWER:

Both Ballots 1 and 2 were counted correctly . Although the voter of Ballot 1 failed to follow the precise directions given by the president on how to cast ballot, the intent was clear and Ballot 1 was properly counted . And although the voter of Ballot 2 didn’t strike out the pre-printed names, it was correctly noted as an abstention .

&Questions Answers continued

RONR (12th ed .) 45:32-33 provides that Ballot 1 should still be counted because the ballot indicates a preference, the meaning was clear, and the choices were valid . Technical errors don’t invalidate a vote as long as the meaning is clear . Just because the voter of Ballot 1 used checks instead of X’s, the intent was obvious and the ballot was counted correctly . RONR (12th ed .) 45:31 states in part that: “Accordingly, the tellers ignore blank ballots and other ballots that indicate no preference, treating them as abstentions . (Blank ballots are sometimes cast by members to conceal the fact that they do not wish to vote .)” The tellers properly noted Ballot 2 as an abstention since it would be considered blank or indicating no preference . Parliamentary Law, page 239 supports the counting of Ballot 1 (ignoring errors in following directions when the preference is clear), and the treating of Ballot 2 as an abstention, even though to some it may at first glance seem to imply that if there are printed names on the ballot, with no marks, then the voter could be indicating a preference by not striking out the printed names, and that possibly Ballot 2 should have been counted as one vote per nominee; it states in part:

Since the purpose of a ballot is to ascertain the preference of the voters, no rule should be adopted that may defeat this purpose, unless it is absolutely necessary to protect the society . To require, as some societies do, that a cross should be placed in front of, or after, each name on a printed ticket, with only one name for each office, is unreasonable, and therefore the requirement is very likely to be overlooked, resulting possibly in the ballot’s being thrown out as illegal . There certainly can be no doubt for whom a ballot is intended when there is only one name for an office, whether it is written or printed . A cross does not make the voter’s wish any more certain . Such unreasonable rules as this cause many of the troubles in societies . More common sense and fewer useless rules are needed .

Rules of this class, unless in the by-laws, should be regarded as directory rather than obligatory . Thus, if the ballot has printed on it directions that when a new name is substituted for a printed one the new name must be written below the erased one, it should be considered as advisory for the convenience of the tellers . If the new name is written on the side of the old one, the ballot should not be rejected . If ballots are rejected for such trivial defects as omitting a cross, or making a wrong kind of a cross, or writing a new name in the wrong place, when it is clear for whom the vote is intended, to be consistent, a candidate should not be credited with a vote if there is an error in the spelling of his name . The courts have held that ballots should be credited to candidates when from the ballot itself it is clear for whom the vote was intended,

&Questions Answers continued

provided that there is no law on the subject . If the by-laws require certain formalities they must be observed, but printed instructions on the ballot, even though adopted by the assembly, cannot throw out a vote not in conflict with the by-laws, if the ballot shows clearly for whom it was intended . The intent of this passage in Parliamentary Law is to emphasize that a voter’s choice should not be disregarded because of a failure to follow directions (that are not in the bylaws) . However, the printing of names that is referred to here doesn’t quite match up to today’s usage . A common practice in the 1800’s and 1900’s was for people to be given party “tickets” that listed endorsed candidates . Those tickets could then be put in ballot boxes as ballots, or the voter could write other candidate names on the ticket if they wanted to vote for someone not endorsed, thereby “splitting a ticket” (not voting entirely along with the party recommendations) . A ballot called the “Australian ballot” was introduced to enhance ballot secrecy since the party tickets could be a different color and therefore indicate which party the voter was supporting; the Australian ballot includes the names of all party candidates and the voter marks their choice . The Australian ballot was introduced sporadically around America in the late 1800’s through the mid-1900’s . Consequently, the precise wording used by Parliamentary Law in the quoted passage is not applicable to the secret ballots often used today with pre-printed names . Not marking a ballot today in some way indicates that the voter’s preference is to abstain (for that office) . RONR (12th ed .) 45:3 provides members a right to abstain, and this right may not be taken from them . An example to show why Ballot 2 should be noted as an abstention is that it should be handled the same way regardless of how many nominees are presented . If there are four offices up for election and six nominees, the unmarked ballot would have to be considered an abstention . Therefore, if there are four offices up for election and four nominees, the unmarked ballot should be considered in the same way, as an abstention .

Ann Homer, PRP, Editor

Questions & Answers Research Team

Rachel Glanstein, PRP Azella Collins, PRP

Timothy Wynn, PRP, Parliamentarian/Consultant

RIB

Final Exam

By David Mezzera, PRP

I have stated this numerous times in public: When someone contacts me who has been newly elected as president of an organization and asks me for assistance on how they can run their first meeting, I will tell them that they should quickly obtain a copy of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief (RIB) to read and study . RIB highlights key information about officers, meetings, motions, and voting to help any presiding officer, and it’s much less daunting than having them pick up the 714-page 12th edition of Robert’s Rules of Order (RONR) . I also recommend this course of action to any NAP colleague who might be presented with the same inquiry from a client, friend, or a “cold call” from any newly elected president: Tell them to get a copy of RIB; it’s an easy read and is a quick reference to help chair meetings .

Now that RIB’s 3rd edition, to coincide with Robert’s Rules of Order’s 12th edition, has been in our hands for a year and a half (and all of you readers have had an opportunity to read and study In Brief yourselves) I think it’s time for your RIB Final Exam . In the “real world” when you are using RIB to help a client, it can be open book; but this quiz is closed book . And as with any good exam, this one will have a variety of multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in the blank questions . Once you’ve finished, check out the answer key on page 30, and grade yourself . Hopefully, you’ll all receive an A for your familiarity with RIB . 1 . RIB may be adopted as a parliamentary authority for which of the following? (A) only a standing committee; (B) only a special committee; (C) only an executive committee; (D) only a board of about a dozen members or less; (E) only a small assembly of about 6 members or fewer; (F) none of these . 2 . RIB has a section explaining each of the following concepts or terms except which one? (A) “settled” rule; (B) “bigger bite” amendment; (C) online meetings; (D) email voting; (E) unanimous consent .

3 . Chapter 13 of RIB is titled “Frequently Asked Questions .”

Which of the following topics has a question in that chapter that is then answered? (A) ex-officio members of boards or committees; (B) votes of no confidence; (C) friendly amendments; (D) proxy votes; (E) Calling the question; (F) actually, all of these have a Q & A in this chapter . 4 . True or False? In answering the question “Do abstention votes count?” RIB clarifies that abstentions may be counted only in elections for officers . 5 . True or false? RIB points out that one of the beauties of using Robert’s Rules and associated charts is that a presiding officer never has to memorize anything . 6 . True or false? In ranking the order of rules, RIB introduces

Law, Charters, Bylaws/Constitutions, Rules of Order and

Standing Rules; but does not get into the details of Custom so as not to confuse the reader .

7 . True or false? RIB uses the term “tinted pages” in passing without explaining what those pages contain or how to find them in RONR .

8 . Fill-in the blank: In the RIB Index, a page number that refers to the definition of a term is indicated by being printed in ____________________ . 9 . Fill-in the blank: Wordings that may be used by a chair to process a motion or conduct a vote may be found in the back of RIB in a series of ________________ . 10 . Fill-in the blank: RIB recommends that to learn the basics of running a meeting, a member should read chapters 1-11 of In Brief which will take about _____ minutes .

Answers on page 30.

David Mezzera, PRP, is a past president of the California State Association of Parliamentarians and past District 8 Director.

Answer Key

RIB Final Exam

from pages 28-29

All page references are to RIB 3rd edition.

1 . The correct answer is F. It may never be adopted itself as a parliamentary authority . See page 7 of RIB: “Because this book is only an introduction and guide to RONR, it is not itself suitable for adoption by any organization as its

‘parliamentary authority’ . ” 2 . The correct answer is D. Check the Index in the back of RIB . All those other terms are included with locations in RIB with the exception of email voting which does not specifically appear in RIB . 3 . The correct answer is F. Check the Q & As in Chapter 13 for #s 2, 7, 8, 10 and 11 . 4 . The correct answer is false. See Q#6 on page 116 of RIB: “The phrase

‘abstention votes’ is an oxymoron, an abstention being a refusal to vote .”

Continue reading that section about the effect of abstentions on a vote requiring a majority of members present . AND NOTE: Point out this

Chapter 13 to your clients . It contains 19 Qs & As with some great information imparted there . 5 . The correct answer is false. See A .1 on page 138 of RIB which suggests otherwise: “It is helpful to begin by mastering a few important, constantly used procedures, and memorizing the standard wordings for them .”

In particular, RIB points out in A .1 that a chair should memorize the bolded wording in Table A on pages 203-4 . 6 . The correct answer is false. The role of Custom is fully covered on pages 87-88 of RIB . 7 . The correct answer is false. Page 103 of RIB refers to the charts, tables, and lists that are found near the back of RONR on pages that are tinted gray at the outer edges . It directs you to pages t1-t52 in RONR . Additionally, references to Charts I through VIII in RONR’s tinted pages are mentioned on pages 107-108 of RIB . 8 . The correct answer is “boldface,” which may be found at the top of page 181 of RIB . 9 . The correct answer is “tables.” Tables A through E may be found on pages 203-213 of RIB . 10 . The correct answer is “90” as indicated on the inside front cover of RIB . If you didn’t get an A+, see what you learned about In Brief from the answer key and try the exam again!

Parliamentary Law Month Proclamation

April 2022

Whereas, Since April is the birth month of Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the first American manual of parliamentary procedure in 1801, it is an appropriate time to honor him and celebrate the use of parliamentary procedure; Whereas, It is fitting to honor Henry Martyn Robert, author of Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies, also known as Robert’s Rules of Order; Whereas, Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised is the most widely recognized and used parliamentary authority in public and private organizations; Whereas, It is timely to reflect on the importance of parliamentary procedure in meetings in providing for civil discourse, protecting individual rights, ensuring fairness, and maintaining order; Whereas, The National Association of Parliamentarians® has, by adoption of a standing rule, designated the month of April as Parliamentary Law Month; Whereas, The National Association of Parliamentarians® is a professional society dedicated to educating leaders throughout the world in effective meeting management through the use of parliamentary procedure; and Whereas, The vision of the National Association of Parliamentarians® is to provide parliamentary leadership to the world; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Wanda M. Sims, PRP, President of the National Association of Parliamentarians®, do hereby declare April 2022 as Parliamentary Law Month and call upon the districts, associations, units, and all members to observe the month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities as a way to create the future and bring our mission and vision into reality.

Wanda M. Sims, PRP NAP President