National Parliamentarian (Vol. 84, No. 4)

The Never-Ending Road from Good to Great

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Volume 85, No. 4 (Summer 2024)

November 1, 2023

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From the Editor

There has been much discussion recently about the spread of artificial intelligence (AI) through some important sectors of our society . As people watch this proliferation, some are worried, and others are excited . In this issue of National Parliamentarian® Todd Crowder points out in his article “Artificial Intelligence and Parliamentarians” that for better or worse AI technology is changing the world and then focuses on how, in the near term, this technology will affect our profession .

In his article, Kirby Glad reviews the rules on suspending bylaws . John Berg discusses the rules for small boards and committees that permit an entire meeting to conduct its business without any motions being made . David Mezzera offers challenges on what to do with reports when they are presented .

As we prepare for the 44th Biennial Convention and the election of new officers, this editor is very grateful to President Wanda Sims for the opportunity to serve NAP in this position . Sincere appreciation is extended to the 2021-2023 National Parliamentarian® editorial team: assistant editor TennieBee Hall, the NP review team (Dana Dickson, RP-R, Ronald Dupart, PRP, Ferial Bishop, PRP), and the Q&A Parliamentary Research Committee (Rachel Glanstein, PRP, Lyle Kleman, PRP-R, Azella Collins, PRP, Timothy Wynn, PRP, parliamentarian) . Thank you to the NAP staff who helped with the production of each issue, to Kansas City graphics designer Rosemary Holderby of Cole Design & Production for the very attractive layouts, and to our authors for their informative, educational, and thought-provoking articles .

Rosalie H . Stroman, PRP

The Never-Ending Road from Good to Great

During this biennium, we have traveled the road from good to great. While this road does not have a destination, it has led this Association along an amazing path of many incredible milestones.

Renovation work at our headquarters in Independence, MO is complete . The Bridge-to-the-Future (Donor Wall) is a centerpiece reflecting the spirit of giving inherent in our members . The new member orientation program is offered quarterly . The use of the Education Toolbox and Education Exchange Program is flourishing . The new RP Credentialing Exam (RPCE) is in place creating a new class of Registered Parliamentarians . NAP University stands as a tribute to the investment NAP has in the merging of technology and educational offerings . Students can choose from a wide array of classes geared toward any learning level . Our 2023 Spring Training Conference was a huge success offering introductory and advanced classes in parliamentary procedure . Our new website is now a reality and looks and feels spectacular, I encourage you to spend some time exploring and enjoying the new look and feel . Finally, we have a new strategic plan that will guide us for the next five years as we continue the journey to greatness .

I want to thank all of you who have worked to move NAP along that road of good to great . Whether you have attended a program to advance your knowledge, presented a new class for your Unit, State Association, or NAP, served on a committee, technically hosted a meeting, or served as an officer at any level, your service to NAP has not gone unnoticed . Without you, NAP would never have been able to grow as it has since 2021 . I know everyone will join me in expressing our gratitude for your efforts .

As past president Darlene T . Allen said, “It begins where it ends . ” For my part, I will say just the opposite . It ends where it begins . It has been the greatest honor to have served as your President . Noted author Leonard I . Sweet has said, “The future is not something we enter, the future is something that we create”. We have strived to ensure that NAP stands as a shining beacon of what can be accomplished when members work together to advance our common goal—the goal of bringing parliamentary procedure to the world .

As acclaimed British actress Dame Maggie Smith said once, “There is no such thing as the end of a story, just a part where you leave it, and it’s your story now”. The responsibility of creating the next steps in our bright future belongs to you . I am excited to see what our next steps will be, and I will continue to join you in service and teaching to continue our shared journey from good to great . Together we will ensure that NAP remains the world leader in parliamentary procedure education and service . For some organizations the sky is the limit, for NAP there is no limit—reach for it!

Wanda M . Sims, PRP 2021-2023 NAP President

Artificial Intelligence and Parliamentarians

Todd Crowder, PRP

introduction

ChatGPT and other advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots,1 capable of mimicking human conversation, captured the world’s attention in just a few months . Representing a significant leap forward from previous AI technologies, these large language models (LLMs) offer immense data processing potential and enhance human cognitive tools in many areas . Large language models (LLMs) utilize vast amounts of humangenerated text called “datasets” and undergo “training” by human users, who provide feedback on the quality of the responses, enabling the AI to “learn” and improve over time . For better or worse, AI technology (of which LLM technology is one type) is changing the world . Leveraging the new technology and its ability to rapidly access extensive amounts of data, intelligent—or perhaps, pseudo-intelligent—personal assistants are now within reach of everyone . However, this article focuses on how, in the near term, this technology will affect our profession .

Using chatGPT

As a new user, the author was amazed at the realism of the

conversation . Most have seen the popup chatbots on websites designed to answer customer service questions and observed that they could usually answer only a few questions and then not terribly well . ChatGPT is far beyond such limited capabilities . The new user is impressed by the range of topics that ChatGPT can discuss and the depth of its knowledge, that is until it confidently affirms a boldfaced error . These errors are called “hallucinations . ” Because of the way ChatGPT functions, it finds and applies statistical patterns to generate answers, which can lead to unexpected and incorrect results . Although they can replicate human communication, LLMs don’t understand data as humans do . The challenges these errors will pose to the long-term usefulness of the LLM technology are yet to be determined . Microsoft Bing’s most recent update incorporates ChatGPT into its web search capabilities . Real-time internet access may provide one check against inaccuracies, even as it presents new challenges .

chatGPT and Parliamentary Procedure

After lengthy discussions of parliamentary procedure with ChatGPT, the author found that

ChatGPT performed at the competency level of a non-credentialed NAP member . ChatGPT4 (the premium version) scored 90% on past NAP membership exam questions .

The chatbot’s answers could be downright eloquent when the topic was broad . When asked a question such as, “Why do we use parliamentary procedure?” or “What makes a good presiding officer?”, the answers it gave were of professional quality . They were not merely lifted from outside sources; ChatGPT could intelligently discuss and defend them .

But ChatGPT failed to measure up when asked to get into the specifics of motions or complex questions that a professional parliamentarian might face . It held numerous misconceptions that humans have about parliamentary procedure . That makes sense because it draws its responses from human documents, and humans, of course, have misconceptions and make errors . Compounding the problem is the seeming confidence with which the answers are given . The AI boasts its “hallucinations” as known facts .

While ChatGPT may be weak on specific facts, names, and dates, it excels in understanding a topic’s essence . When asked to summarize any topic, broad or niche, it will write a short paper detailing the subject on the spot, usually high-quality and error-free . Talking with ChatGPT is like talking with a knowledgeable friend prone to fabricating very plausible fiction when unsure of the facts . OpenAI is working on making

ChatGPT more accurate, but opinions differ on how much of a task that will be . 2

LLM technologists can develop an AI with specific attention to our field, loading the AI with all the parliamentary authorities and available parliamentary resources, including books by parliamentarians, parliamentary opinions, meeting scripts, and anything else that would round out its knowledge base . Parliamentarians could then “train” it to use those materials to answer parliamentary questions and give parliamentary advice . At that point, an LLM chatbot will rival a human parliamentarian in many respects .

ChatGPT can roleplay . When asked to play the role of a presiding officer using RONR, with the author playing all the members, it did so as well as a novice chair would . It called the meeting to order appropriately but then mishandled almost every motion . However, it then ruled adequately on the resulting points of order . Its language was clear enough, but not quite as RONR prescribes .

A user of any LLM chatbot is well advised to double-check any hard data the chatbot gives . For now, LLM works better giving such information as suggestions and advice . One can describe a specific problem and ask for a list of recommendations .

When asked for advice on handling an unruly member, it competently provided the following six possible suggestions that a professional parliamentarian could have made,

with a paragraph or so of relevant detail on each tip:

1 . Be calm .

2 . Call for order .

3 . Issue a warning .

4 . Recess .

5 . Invoke the removal process .

6 . Follow-up later .

Things to come

Parliamentarians are concerned with potential procedural changes to deliberative assemblies . The new technology will heavily impact functioning at both in-person and remote meetings . Naturally, we’ll be especially concerned about applying the rules .

Of course, guessing the future is a risky enterprise . Still, based on what is known about LLM technology, the following trends are arguably more likely than not .

Remote meeting software, e .g ., Zoom or a more specialized app, will incorporate parliamentary procedure with settings for different parliamentary authorities . It will be able to process and effect motions under Section 62 of RONR, which details disciplinary action against the presiding officer . The chairmanship of a meeting could be changed by such software, in accordance with a vote by the members .

The hierarchy of motions will be easy enough for artificial intelligence . AIs will assist in managing agendas . AIs will help the presiding officer and parliamentarian with tracking

each parliamentary situation and timekeeping .

“Parliamentary popups,” particularly in remote meetings, but in-person ones as well, will appear on the screens of presiding officers and parliamentarians . These popups will identify breaches of order as they occur and offer suggestions on correct phrasing, tailoring their advice over time to each presiding officer’s preferences .

Adopters of AI will have to pay much attention to limitations on using AI and “guardrails” to prevent or curb abuse . As with many new technologies, AI’s abilities can be used for questionable purposes . For example, in a meeting setting, there could be software apps driven by AI that will watch for clues in the room that will gauge sentiment toward the outcome of a pending motion, whether the room is real or virtual . These apps will improve over time . The data or “clues” such an AI can use ethically, will be subject to vigorous debate, as an AI might be recommending action based on an accumulation of data people consider private . Such an app might draw implications from simple, obvious facts, such as the number of people attending a meeting . At the other extreme, it could “eavesdrop” for specific words in the crowd chatter or compile a database of every other member’s debate over a period of years and draw conclusions from that data . This kind of software would raise significant new issues of privacy .

Predictive analysis uses historical data to estimate the likelihood of future events and could be used to forecast outcomes during conventions and meetings . Privacy, transparency, security, and data bias issues may determine how much organizations and their members can use them . Ethical considerations will be hotly debated here as well .

One change pertains not to rule application but to deliberation itself . Debating a main motion will be assisted in real time by a lightningquick researcher . Parliamentarians have seen real-time language transcription become the norm . Now, LLM analysis of ongoing debate will become a feature at meetings . The technology will call up facts and statistics . It will suggest arguments to use in debate . Some have warned that this situation could lead to discussion

“by AIs for AIs . ”

In-person meetings will have more of a virtual component, with attendees having their schedules managed by AI on their device, along with motions they are interested in and the evolving pros and cons of those motions . Recommendation systems will provide suggestions to members for workshops and festivities outside the meeting hall that will likely fit their tastes .

Over the past few years, parliamentarians have watched online meetings offer increasingly effective automated speech transcription services at the touch of a button, like the audio transcription service on Zoom . The

ability to analyze such speech, and to respond to it, could soon be added to these services . These abilities open many possibilities in areas yet to be considered .

That same real-time speech analysis will be used on the dais by an AI sounding an alarm to the presiding officer on possible breaches of decorum . Besides being able to listen for specific indecorous words, the AI will also be able to detect, with reliability increasing over time, trains of thought that impute motive and other more abstract violations of decorum .

AI capability will affect the business side of all professional practices . The software will become more intuitive and conversational .

For example, categorizing expenses in accounting software, e .g ., QuickBooks, will resemble a conversation .

intelligence and Parliamentarians

The integration of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology could significantly transform the way we conduct meetings . VR technology offers an immersive experience through the use of a VR helmet or headset, allowing attendees to virtually participate in a meeting hall . On the other hand, AR technology, using a smartphone or tablet, can enhance the user’s perception of reality by combining digital elements with the physical world, which could make in-person or hybrid meetings more engaging .

Existing software has incorporated AI capability, with much more in development . In April, Grammarly,

a popular writing assistant software that has existed since 2009, took a sudden leap forward, when newly embedded AI technology enabled it to “brainstorm ideas, compose writing, edit, and personalize text . ”

challenges

Aside from the challenges LLM developers face with the AI’s accuracy, data bias is a huge problem . The data from which LLMs draw is, of course, biased . Just as it has errors because humans make errors, it has biases because humans have biases . Tremendous work will have to be put into an LLM to address data bias .

The sheer size of the LLMs makes them inaccessible to the human eye . They are trained in vast amounts of pre-existing writings which are biased, as humans are . Human review of that data would be prohibitive .

Any usage of AI in deliberative assemblies will require transparency . An LLM’s data must be from sources as neutral and diverse as possible and regularly audited . LLMs with unseen sources (“black box” algorithms) will be automatically suspect . Privacy concerns will continue to play a huge role as well .

Society has some big questions to face . Most involved in adopting the new technologies will be concerned with issues related to the usability of the technology . But there are other concerns; for instance, some AI chatbots have shown “emergent capabilities,” i .e ., capabilities not intended by their designers . Some AIs have famously engaged in dark,

disturbing fantasies . As science fiction author Isaac Asimov suggested long ago, it might lead to the profession of “robopsychologist” becoming a reality . Today’s computer technology can state truth, falsehood, or word salad that leaves humans wondering why .

Further, the new technology is high in energy consumption, can be misused in many ways, and may aggravate the digital divide, i .e ., the gap in equal access to digital technology . The societal questions raised by the speedy mass adoption of these new technologies are beyond the scope of the parliamentary discipline . Still, parliamentarians will continue to address the issues that emerging technology raises for deliberative assemblies .

In his book, The Parliamentarian of Tomorrow, Gene Bierbaum wrote, “Not all parliamentarians are expected to become experts in technological change . ” While these words remain accurate, we must also consider another of his quotes, “Parliamentarians must stay ahead of the curve rather than lag behind . ”3

Tomorrow is here! NP

EnDnoTES:

1 A chatbot is a computer software application that relies on artificial intelligence (AI) to perform tasks humans typically carry out (Fuscaldo, Donna, Business News Daily, April 11, 2023).

2 Craig S. Smith, “Hallucinations Could Blunt ChatGPT’s Success,” March 13, 2023, IEEE Spectrum, spectrum.ieee.org/ai-hallucination

3 Bierbaum, Gene, PhD., The Parliamentarian of Tomorrow, Xlibris, 2010, Kindle Edition.

The NAP Convention of the Future

Todd Crowder, PRP

On the last day of the NAP convention, an NAP delegate sat at the desk in her hotel room and put on her Virtual Reality (VR) headset. She was impressed with the realism of the VR meeting room. She saw that the trainee at the presiding workshop was holding up well. Various AIs, posing as members of an assembly, made rarely used motions, stacking motion upon motion so fast that it was impressive that the trainee could keep up. The workshop marked the first time a presiding trainee was expected to admonish members for lingering in the “entrance.”

The delegate removed her VR headset and proceeded from her hotel room to the convention hall. Only a few workshops were VR for now, but she feared the entire convention would someday be VR. There was nothing like a casual conversation in the hallway for her. However, she had heard an app was in development for even that.

She checked her HallScan, CrowdMood, DecorumGuard, and MotionOdds apps for any alerts. MotionOdds had one indicating that, according to its algorithm, she should be wary of dilatory tactics from an opposing faction during a proposed bylaw amendment that she strongly favored.

When delegates debated a motion, even one not on the agenda, their speeches often involved quickly composed audio-visual mini presentations with cited facts and figures. Votes were held by a blockchain-based system. Blockchain, a type of unalterable and tamper-proof digital ledger, assured transparency, and instant verifiability in the voting process.

One of the candidates for treasurer withdrew, saying that despite his current lead, statistical modeling showed his odds of winning less than 5%, and he wanted to save everyone’s time.

A delegate moved to add a convention standing rule to prohibit a list of electronic devices in the meeting, including VR, AR, and “eavesdropping” devices, and to require smartphones to be turned off in the hall. He spoke advocating a return to “old school” deliberative assembly. A delegate from the China Association participated fluently in the debate using an automated translator. After much discussion on enforcement, the motion failed. Still, the convention adopted a subsequent resolution to create a committee to study the issue.

During a recess, the convention received an address from an AI-generated speaker, programmed with a dataset consisting of the collected writings of all past NAP presidents. The topic was the history of the NAP and the changes the composite “past president” had seen. The delegates were rapt at both the medium and the content.

After adjournment, as the delegate rode to the airport, she reflected on how different the convention was from prior ones and wondered about the next one. She felt both excited and uncertain about the future, but she knew the warmth and camaraderie of an in-person convention were irreplaceable. NP

Todd crowder, PRP, is a professional registered parliamentarian based in Atlanta and currently holds the position of parliamentarian of the Georgia State Association of Parliamentarians. He is also a member of the NAP Educational Resources Committee.

Suspending Bylaws

Kirby Glad, PRP

The motion to Suspend the Rules is a recognition of the parliamentary principle that the rules are intended to serve the organization, the organization does not serve the rules . Robert’s Rules provides a way to suspend rules that are standing in the way of the assembly doing its work:

“When an assembly wishes to do something during a meeting that it cannot do without violating one or more of its regular rules, it can adopt a motion to Suspend the Rules interfering with the proposed action…” RONR (12th ed .) 25:1 .

Many people believe that bylaws can never be suspended but this is not true . Robert’s Rules clearly gives an exception as follows:

Rules

That Cannot Be Suspended.

Rules contained in the bylaws (or constitution) cannot be suspended…unless the rule properly is in the nature of a rule of order as described in 2:14. RONR (12th ed .) 25:7 .

This idea of bylaws that are “in the nature of a rule of order” deserves some explanation .

Robert’s Rules recognizes different levels of rules . There are rules that have to do with the foundation of the organization and should be very hard to change . These are referred to as “bylaws” and are described as:

In general, the constitution or the bylaws—or both—of a society are the documents that contain its own basic rules relating principally to itself as an organization, rather than to the parliamentary procedure that it follows. RONR (12th ed .) 2:8 .

Bylaws properly contain rules about the organization, such as officers and their duties, committees, quorum requirements, qualification for membership, defining the governing body and executive board and their delegated powers . The next level of rules is known as “rules of order,” which are described as:

[Rules of Order] relate to the orderly transaction of business in meetings and to the duties of officers in that connection. The object of rules of order is to facilitate the smooth functioning of the assembly and to provide a firm

basis for resolving questions of procedure that may arise. RONR (12th ed .) 2:14 .

In other words, bylaws should be about the organization, and rules of order should be about meetings, and meeting management .

For example, many organizations have a bylaw saying, “the President shall chair the meetings . ” Clearly this is a rule about the duties of an officer in connection with a meeting, and therefore, according to the rule, may be suspended . By a 2/3 vote, the assembly can remove the president as the chair of the meeting (but not from the office of President) .

An easy way to determine if a rule is “in the nature of a rule of order” is to ask the question, “could this rule have been adopted as a special rule of order rather than a bylaw?” For example, some organizations put a standard meeting agenda in the bylaws . This could easily be a special rule of order instead of a bylaw and illustrates that this type of bylaw can be suspended .

As rules of order are only adopted to “facilitate the smooth functioning

of the assembly,” the assembly is allowed to suspend them when they stand in the way of the assembly accomplishing its business .

Robert’s Rules recognizes that organizations may not always understand the difference between bylaws and rules of order and may mistakenly put rules of order into the bylaws—but such rules can be suspended, even if they are in the wrong place . Hence the rule that bylaws that are in the nature of a rule of order CAN be suspended .

There are some added tests that must be passed before we can say that a rule can be suspended . No rule can be suspended that:

Embodies a fundamental principle of parliamentary law, Protects absentees, or Protects the rights of individual members .

RONR (12th ed .) 25 .

When needed, the ability to suspend procedural rules, even those in the bylaws, allows the assembly to manage the business of its meeting in the way that it wants . NP

Kirby Glad, PRP, has served as parliamentarian for over sixteen years, as bylaws consultant, floor parliamentarian, opinion author, meeting parliamentarian, and as a professional presider, serving a wide range of clients including political parties, unions, church bodies, municipal and state boards, homeowners’ associations, and clubs, in seven states.

Committee and Small Board Meetings Without Motions Made

John R. Berg, PRP

meeting to conduct its business without any motions being made .

These different or modified rules for a “board meeting where there are not more than about a dozen members present” (RONR 49:21), and for a committee of any size (RONR 50:25), are stated as the default rules for these meetings . They are not optional, except insofar as those rules in RONR can be overridden by the bylaws or special rules of order (RONR 2:16), or by instructions to a committee (RONR 13:8(d), 50:25) .

For such meetings of committees and small boards, RONR 49:21(5) states, “When a proposal is perfectly clear to all present, a vote can be taken without a motion’s having been introduced.” This is similar to approving or correcting minutes without a specific motion being made to that effect (RONR 41:10) . Additionally, not only can the

chairman to submit his own proposals without formally making a motion as described in 4:4-8 (although he has the right to make a motion if he wishes)” (RONR 49n4) .

There is an interesting procedure for handling the report of a resolutions committee at a convention that can be instructive here . It states (RONR 59:80) that when resolutions are submitted in advance to the resolutions committee:

“…the report on each resolution is treated as if it had been moved and seconded in the assembly before being referred to the committee .

It is never necessary for the Resolutions Committee chairman or reporting member to move the adoption of a resolution being reported— unless the committee itself

originated it, as in the case of courtesy resolutions . ”

Many boards utilize an agenda which is adopted at the beginning of their meeting . There should be a procedure by which officers, members, or committees may submit items to be included in the agenda . The draft agenda would be distributed to board members in advance and they would have the opportunity to amend the proposed agenda before its adoption .

Here is the key to facilitating the board meeting with a minimal need to make motions: List each proposed motion in full on the proposed agenda. When the agenda is adopted the board has, in effect, agreed to discuss those motions. It then becomes unnecessary to move the adoption of each motion, since the chairman can introduce a subject and initiate a discussion without a motion being made and the board can vote on the matter without a specific motion being made, as stated above . Having the motion already worded on the agenda also eliminates the need for the chair to require that a motion be submitted in writing and makes the secretary’s job easier when wording the motion correctly in the minutes . It should be clear that adopting a meeting agenda with all the motions listed does not approve the motions listed therein, it only approves the consideration of the motions themselves . On the other

hand, adopting a consent agenda (or consent calendar as it is termed in RONR 41:32) does actually adopt all the motions on the consent agenda . When a specific item on the meeting agenda comes up, the chair simply states, “The next agenda item is 3 .01, approval of resolution 430, which is included in full on the agenda’s addendum . Is there any discussion?” After any discussion the vote would be taken in the usual way, after the chair repeats the motion . ’ Amendments that are not controversial can be handled in a manner similar to correcting the minutes . Suppose that a report from the Facilities Committee was on the proposed agenda but the committee was not yet prepared to report . The more formal method of amending the agenda would be for one member to be recognized, then move to strike the item from the agenda (without comment), wait for the chair to state the amendment and open debate, then the member explains the reason for striking the item from the agenda . Debate would follow and the chair then puts the amendment to a vote . A much simpler method would be for the member to ask to strike the report from the agenda because the committee is not ready to report, followed by the chair saying, “Without objection, the facilities committee report will be stricken from the agenda . ” (See Unanimous Consent, RONR 4:58-63, which can be applied to action without a motion .)

Even in a regular deliberative assembly, the chair and other members have the ability to assist a member in wording a motion with a brief discussion prior to the motion being stated by the chair and opened for debate (RONR 4:7, 10:30(1)) . This brief and simple process can be used in a small board to make a proposal “perfectly clear to all present” and even agreeable to all present . It can then be followed by its adoption by unanimous consent without the motion actually being opened for debate . The agreement was already arrived at during the brief discussion . In any case, the wording of the proposal must be clear in order to be included properly in the minutes . Not only is the name of the seconder of a motion not included in the minutes of any meeting (RONR 48:5(1), but a second to a motion is not needed in committees and small boards (RONR 49:21(2) . Some have said that their auditor or the software used for writing minutes requires the name of the seconder, but if the auditor or software author were asked why that is a requirement, their response would probably be the erroneous “Robert’s Rules requires it” (often the same erroneous excuse for many unnecessary established customs .)

However, without the need for seconds, the board could be plagued by the same member making the same motion at every meeting, only to have it debated and soundly defeated every time . The solution for that situation is what could be considered the opposite of a second, namely, Object to the Consideration of a Question (RONR 26) . Rather than seconding a motion, a member, without being recognized, could say, “I object to the consideration of the question . ” The chair, on his own initiative, could also say, “The chair objects to the consideration of the question”. In either case, the matter is undebatable and is immediately put to a vote, with two-thirds negative vote required to suppress the motion when put to a vote as “Shall the question be considered?”.

RONR is intended to expedite rather than slow business. Too often boards such as city councils and school boards are observed wasting time while waiting for someone to make a motion and another to second it . Perhaps they just want to have their names in the minutes . These boards typically have heavy workloads, and their time could be better devoted to meaningful discussions rather than unnecessary parliamentary procedures . NP

John R. Berg, PRP, was president of the Washington State Association of Parliamentarians 2017-2021 and has served as parliamentarian for a number of national organizations. In 2019 he was elected to the board of directors of the South Kitsap School District in Washington State and now serves as its vice president.

C ALLING ALL MEMBERS

Atl A ntA • Geor G i A

44th NAP Biennial Convention

September 6-10, 2023

Join NAP in A-Town

nAP’s journey FRoM GooD To GREAT is going through Atlanta!

The 44th Biennial Convention will take place September 6-10, 2023, at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel. Join hundreds of your fellow parliamentarians gathering there to learn, network, and conduct business (meetings).

This year’s event begins on Wednesday, September 6, with an in-person bylaws forum. The Opening Ceremony and first business meeting session kick off the afternoon, concluding with a welcome reception. See and experience parliamentary procedure in action as the business meetings continue on Thursday and Friday. There is no better place to gain experience and learn parliamentary procedure than by attending the NAP business meetings. Continue that education during Saturday’s workshops. With 20 sessions to choose from, you’ll be sure to find quality education that fits your needs.

See you in Atlanta!

Explore the Big Peach

Once you arrive at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel, you’ll be just steps away from some of the best dining, shopping, and entertainment Atlanta has to offer. The Battery Atlanta offers the perfect mix of boutique shopping, craft eateries for every palette, and a variety of entertainment options. In addition, The Battery is adjacent to Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves and the site of the NAPEF Fundraiser on Friday, September 8, 2023.

You’ll find a diverse arts and cultural scene closer to the city. The High Museum of Art features over 18,000 works of art from around the world. Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park and peek inside the home where Dr. King was born or join Atlanta’s Black History and Civil Rights Tour to explore the city’s key neighborhoods, landmarks, and more.

Just a few blocks from the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park is downtown Atlanta. Here you’ll find shopping, dining, and entertainment for every taste. Speaking of taste, visit the tasting room at the World of Coca Cola and sample 100 different flavors. After that refreshing stop, take a tour of Centennial Olympic Park and enjoy the gardens, Fountain of Rings, and The Spectacular – the parks Olympic rings and the perfect selfie spot.

So come early and take advantage of all the capital of Georgia has to offer.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Practice makes perfect!

A Parliamentary Experience: Learning Labs for Presiding and Serving as Parliamentarian

Practice your skills Saturday, September 9, 2023, in the Parliamentary Learning Labs. Back by popular demand, these labs provide a safe space for beginner through advanced members to practice presiding and serving as parliamentarian and receive constructive feedback from experienced parliamentarians. These labs are available only to in-person attendees. There is an additional $25 fee to register which will be refunded upon verification of participation.

Sign up for A Parliamentary Experience when registering for convention. Already registered? Call NAP HQ and we’ll sign you up.

UPDATED Schedule at a Glance

2023 conVEnTion ScHEDUlE Schedule is subject to change. See napconvention.com for the latest information. Meal functions in blue are included in the registration fee.

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

The First-Timer’s Orientation and Bylaws Forum & Delegate Orientation will be held prior to Convention via Zoom. Date and time TBA.

Sunday, September 10, 2023

2023 PoST-conVEnTion EVEnTS

Schedule subject to change. See napconvention.com for the latest information.

nAP PRoFESSionAl DEVEloPMEnT EVEnTS

Separate registration required.

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Monday, September 11, 2023

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

come early and explore the city over the labor weekend!Day

Educational Sessions at the 44th Biennial Convention

This list is subject to change. Please check www.napconvention.com for an updated listing.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2023

committees Are crucial!

Carl Nohr, PRP

Committees play a crucial role in getting things done. Work can be divided up, discussion can be focussed, and stakeholders can be represented. To be effective, committees must be structured correctly within the authority of the organization. The role of the committee must be clear. The members must know their duties, and how to work effectively in a committee as a member or chair. In this workshop, we will cover the material in Domain 4, Leader Section of the NAP Body of Knowledge, and the Committees Section of the Registered Parliamentarians Performance Expectations. Whether you really enjoy or dislike committees, there will be something in this workshop for you!

“Help Me!” i Have a Question!

Daniel Jackson, PRP

Have you ever sat in a totally ineffective and disorganized meeting? You have a question, want to make a recommendation, and you have concerns about the presiding officer. You want to ask questions and give input, but you don’t know how to do it and

are fearful that you will not be recognized. What do you do? Do you sit back and endure the “pain” or do you make a parliamentary inquiry, point of information, or even a point of order? Each motion has a specific purpose and a strategy for its use. Come and explore how to use each. Don’t forget to bring your Robert’s Rules of Order. The training will be fun and fast-paced.

new Delegate orientation

David Jackson, PRP Participants should be able to: Understand the needs of new delegates & Identify components of a New Delegate Orientation.

Bringing closure: The Qualified, Debatable Motion to Adjourn

Finos Johnson, PRP

A case study on using the debatable motion to adjourn as an effective means to identify the will of the majority, to protect the rights of the minority, and to avoid any appearance of heavy-handedness in maneuvering a high-profile meeting to a successful and satisfactory conclusion.

What Parliamentarians need to Know about Homeowner & condominium Associations

Jim Slaughter, PRP

Thinking about serving as parliamentarian to a homeowner or condominium association? What you don’t know could hurt you (and your client)! Join attorney and PRP Jim Slaughter for a discussion of how community associations (HOAs/ condos) are different than other types of organizations, including governing documents, statutes, and danger areas to avoid.

Suspending the Rules: When You need To Do What They Say can’t Be Done

Adam Hathaway, PRP

When it is desired that the assembly take up a question or do something that would be in violation of a rule that applies, it can be proposed in some cases to Suspend the Rules to permit accomplishment of the desired purpose. This session will explain the Standard Descriptive Characteristics of the incidental motion to Suspend the Rules. It will also cover the rules that cannot be suspended as well as best practices for processing the motion. Real world examples will be used to help illustrate the lesson.

Serving as a Floor Parliamentarian

C.J. Cavin, PRP

Many of us understand the general role of the parliamentarian, which is to advise the presiding officer and the organization to make the best decision. But do we understand what the role of the floor parliamentarian is? This workshop will

discuss what a floor parliamentarian is, how the job is different from the “traditional” parliamentarian, what expectations exist with the client, and professional responsibility considerations.

Author’s corner

Jim Slaughter, PRP, Nancy Sylvester, PRP, and Moderator, Kay Crews, PRP

Join us as NAP presents Authors’ Corner with a once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in a roundtable discussion with Nancy Sylvester, MA, PRP, CPP-T and Jim Slaughter, PRP, CPP-T, JD. The nationally known authors will share their thoughts on such subjects as why they began writing, who their target audiences are, tips on how to get published, how their works may be used in preparing for credentialing, and advice for aspiring authors. Attendees get an opportunity to purchase signed copy of their parliamentary educational materials that include:

Works by Jim Slaughter, PRP, CPP-T, JD.

• The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Parliamentary Procedure Fast Track

• Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules, Fourth Edition

• Robert’s Rules of order Fast track: the Brief and Easy Guide to Parliamentary Procedure for the Modern Meeting

• Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules, Fifth Edition

Works by Nancy Sylvester, MA, PRP, CPP-T

• The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Robert’s Rules

• Guerrilla’s Guide to Robert’s Rules

incidental not Accidental

Johnine Clark, PRP

This workshop will be an overview of the incidental motions and how, when and when not to best use them.

How to Have a Successful PRP Business.

Kirby Glad, PRP

This presentation covers the ins-and-outs of actually making money as a PRP. We will discuss marketing, price setting, customer service, getting repeat business and referrals. How to turn your hobby into a business. If you already have a successful PRP practice, please come and share the benefit of your experience.

Parliamentarian v. lawyer: Presenting the case for when an organization needs a lawyer rather than a parliamentarian. American College of Parliamentary Lawyers

RONR Applications in Small Boards

John Berg, PRP

Practical application of RONR rules for small board and for committees allow for more time-efficient and fair meetings.

Google classroom for Parliamentary Procedure

Lucy Anderson, PRP

The workshop demonstrates how Google Classroom is used as a platform for teaching and mentoring members who are studying to attain a parliamentary credential.

Professional Standards Update

Professional Standards Committee

The Minutes Say What?

Tamara Harris, PRP

Minutes are not He say, She say! Minutes are the official record of the meeting. The minutes record what was “done” and not what was said. The accuracy of the minutes are essential for all organizations and this workshop provides an instructional lesson of what to and not to include in the minutes.

commission on credentialing Update

Commission on Credentialing

navigating the Bylaws Maze: Application, interpretation, and Suspension

Donald Garrett, PRP

Unlock the secrets of effective governance!

Discover how to decipher and apply the different sections of bylaws, explore proven strategies for interpretation, and learn the rules for when suspending bylaws is allowed. Engaging examples will empower you to confidently navigate the complexities of bylaws, ensuring organizational success and impactful decision-making.

Beyond the Book

Eli Mina, PRP

As professionals in the field of meeting management, we can make the difference that our clients desperately need and deserve, but only if we use as our motto a phrase imbedded in RONR paragraph 47:6: “… any presiding officer will do well to bear in mind that no rules can take the place of tact and common sense on the part of the chairman.” Guided by this phrase, we must resist the temptation to respond to a client’s question by automatically looking for a book-based answer. Instead, we must identify the precise problem that a client is facing, and only then consult a parliamentary manual. All of us love RONR, but we also need pragmatic tool boxes that may go beyond the book.

increasing Your RONR Ranking Expertise

Jennifer Nickel, RP

Survey of common resources and search terms to help parliamentarians discover where RONR may be outranked in determining commonly relevant bodies of law applicable in your state. Reviews relevant distinctions between different types of organizations using parliamentarians and common methods that can be used at no cost to discover discrepancies.

Getting Down to Business:

Forming a limited liability company for Your Parliamentary Enterprise

Susan Eads Role, PRP

This workshop equips attendees with information needed to start up an LLC and covers other considerations, including business licenses, home occupation permits, professional liability insurance, financial institution services, and taxation.

How to Register

Choose one of these convenient secure options to sign up early for the 44th Biennial Convention:

• Register online at napconvention.com

• 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 admission to all business and educational sessions, including the Closing Ceremony Sunday; Welcome Reception Wednesday; buffet breakfasts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; Past-President’s Luncheon Thursday; Awards Luncheon Friday; and the Installation of Officers Dinner Saturday, and the Breakfast and Closing Ceremony Sunday. As an added bonus, registrants will have online access to any supporting materials for educational sessions and free access to recordings of all educational sessions for up to 90 days after posting.

Saturday-only registration includes meals offered that day.

in-PERSon MEMBERS non-MEMBERS STUDEnTS

c A nc E ll AT ion P olic Y

Registration refund requests must be received in writing by NAP Headquarters no later than August 24, 2023. A $75 cancellation fee will apply. No refunds will be issued for no-shows or cancellations received after August 24, 2023. A $30 handling fee will be assessed for all returned checks.

Where to Stay & How to Get There

The 2023 Convention will be held at the upscale Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. The hotel is located near the Cobb Galleria Centre, The Battery Atlanta, and Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves.

The 2023 Convention rate is $144 (plus taxes) for king or double rooms.

Register by going to https://tinyurl.com/2t3bytsr, by calling the hotel directly at 888.391.8724 or by scanning the QR code with your smart device. The convention rate is effective for stays beginning Saturday, September 2, through Tuesday, September 12. Be sure to reserve your room early!

Reservation deadline is August 16, 2023.

Transportation to and from the Airport

The Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel is about 23 miles from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The best way to get to the hotel from the airport is by taxi, Uber, or Lyft.

If driving to the hotel, the hotel offers discounted self-parking for $6.

Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & convention center

2450 Galleria Parkway Atlanta, GA 30339

888.391.8724

[ree-pôrtz´] (n)

Here’s a quick quiz to start you off and challenge you about what to do with a report .

For each of these challenges use this key to answer the repeated question:

A. Accept it

B. Adopt it

C. Approve it

D. Ratify it

E. Receive it

1 . A treasurer’s report has just been read at your regular meeting . What do you do now?

2 . A financial review committee has just read its end-of-year report at your annual meeting . What do you do now?

3 . A nominating committee has just read its report of officer nominations . What do you do now?

4 . A special committee to plan the end-of-year party has just read its final report . What do you do now?

5 . A bylaws committee has just read a report that includes notice of a bylaw amendment . What do you do now?

6 . A secretary has just read the minutes from the prior meeting . What do you do now?

What do you do in each case (1-6)? The same action in each? No action needed at all?

We all know that you never “approve” or “adopt” a regular treasurer’s report (#1), but what do you do with it after having heard it read? And what about the other reports mentioned above? Let’s delve into these five terms (A-B-C-D-E) as explained in RONR and discover their meanings and uses [as cited in the 12th edition] .

Looking up the term “accept” (A) in the 12th edition index only leads the reader to: “See adopt” (B) . So no help there . We’d then better go to “adopt” in the index, and now we have some guidance . RONR uses this term to indicate the action of an assembly to “carry” or “adopt” or “agree to” what any motion proposes [4:3, 4:43(2) and 4:49] . This term is also used in RONR to “adopt” recommendations from a committee report [10:5] or an officer’s report [10:52] or “adopt” an entire report [51:13], which has the effect of an assembly endorsing the entire report word-for-word, as with an auditor’s report [48:25] . But back to “accept” (A) . Although not in the index, RONR does use the term in the text

as a stand-alone in such matters as when the treasurer’s individual reports are referred for financial review, in which case, “it is the auditors’ report which the assembly accepts . ” [48:24]

Let’s keep going . Does RONR mention “approving” (C) a report? Again, going to the 12th edition index, the reader may find an entry for approval of minutes with the referral to “See: minutes, reading and approval of . ” But “approval” of minutes is a different process from the “approval” of a report, especially a treasurer’s report . So, keep looking . The index has a stand-alone entry for “approve” which says: “See “ratify . ” So, let’s do that . “Ratify” (D) (also called “confirm” [10:54]) has a number of uses in RONR such as validating (a word that does not itself appear in RONR) some action taken when no quorum was present [40:9], an action taken outside the scope of notice of a special meeting [9:15] or a variety of other actions [10:54-57] . But “ratifying” a committee report is not one of them .

So that leaves us with exploring “receive” (E) . Might this be the action you would take to move on from a treasurer’s report or a report from a nominating committee? Let’s look at it in the 12th edition index . Nope; “receive” is not there as a stand-alone; but fortunately, under the heading of “Reports,” we do find “receive,” and that’s all we need to know . But before we go to those references, just remember that no motion to “receive” a report after it has been read is in order [3:27] . But “when the assembly hears the report thus read or orally rendered, it receives the report,” which requires no action [51:9] . It is an error “to move that a report ‘be received’ after it has been read—apparently on the supposition that such a motion is necessary in order for the report to be taken under consideration or to be recorded as having been made . ” [51:15]

So after all of these explanations of actions A through E, what are the answers to the 6 quiz questions? After you’ve read about each possible term, you may want to try the quiz again . Ready for the answers? Sorry, but you won’t find an unmistakable answer key in RONR . The following is a possible answer sheet filled out by the author based on his understanding of these challenging terms . How do you think he did? These may be correct in the eyes of RONR—or they may not if the author got them wrong . You may agree or disagree with him . If the former, hopefully you’ve learned something about the terms . If the latter, feel free to challenge the author and we’ll both learn something more!

Answers on page 34.

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

&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.

QQuESTION:

Our bylaws are silent on three matters: (1) whether or not our officers or board members must be members of the organization;

(2) whether or not officers are voting members of the board; and

(3) since there are two classes of members, voting and non-voting (that’s in the bylaws), whether or not non-voting members may hold office or be elected to the board of directors.

How does the organization navigate the election of officers and board members, given the silence on these matters?

ANSWER:

Addressing each question in turn:

(1) “In most societies it is usual to elect the officers from among the members; but … unless the bylaws provide otherwise, it is possible for an organization to choose its officers from outside its membership . ” [RONR (12th ed .) 47:2] Whether or not your officers are chosen from among your members is largely a matter of custom . However, if a particular office requires specific expertise—for example, you have a rather complex financial system and would prefer a professional treasurer—then an expert from outside the membership might be preferable . RONR does not prescribe any

&Questions Answers continued

qualifications for office, so any limitations on who is eligible to serve in a particular office would have to be in the bylaws as noted in the above reference .

(2) The composition of the executive board should be prescribed in the bylaws . RONR (12th ed .) 49:4-5 provide that, “If a society is to have an executive board, the bylaws should specify the number of board members and how they are to be determined, … . ” and “A society has no executive board, nor can its officers act as a board, except as the bylaws may provide … . ” Whenever the bylaws prescribe that an officer shall serve on the executive board, that officer is a member of the board and has full rights of membership on the board, including the right to vote, unless the bylaws specifically provide otherwise .

(3) Membership in the organization is not a requirement to serve in office under the rules of RONR; therefore, a board may have members and/or officers who are not members of the organization if there are no prohibitions against it . If it is desired that only voting members of the organization shall be eligible to serve in office, then the bylaws should include a provision to that effect . Without such a provision, any individual can be elected to office .

Keep in mind that, as stated by RONR (12th ed .) 1:4, “A member of an assembly, in the parliamentary sense … is a person entitled to full participation in its proceedings … that is, the right to attend meetings, to make motions, to debate and to vote . ” It is not a right of a member to serve in office, and a nonmember is not prohibited from serving unless that requirement is noted in the bylaws . In any event, if the bylaws are not perfectly clear on the composition of the board, and if there is any doubt about who is eligible to serve and who has the right to vote on the board, the bylaws should be amended as soon as possible to correct this, in accordance with the will of the organization .

&Questions Answers

QQuESTION:

Over the last several years, at our organization’s annual convention, there has been a trend toward voting only on the “Resolved” parts of resolutions, leaving the “Whereas” clauses out of the voting and, therefore, out of the minutes. Is this proper procedure?

ANSWER:

The “Whereas” clauses are called a preamble, and usually include reasons for the resolution’s adoption [see RONR (12th ed .) 10:16-19] . The preamble “should contain no more clauses than are strictly necessary” [RONR (12th ed .) 10:18] . Further, “In moving the adoption of a resolution, the preamble is not usually mentioned, since it is included in the resolution . ” (Ibid .)

Regarding not voting on the preamble, RONR (12th ed .) 10:19 assumes the preamble will be voted on with the resolution and may even be amended: “In the consideration of a resolution having a preamble, the preamble is always amended last, since changes in the resolving clauses may require changes in the preamble . ” Therefore, if a resolution includes a preamble, it will be included in the final vote taken on the resolution; consequently, the entire resolution with the preamble should be included in the minutes as a motion that was made at the meeting .

Questions & Answers Research Team

Azella Collins, PRP

Lyle Kleman, PRP-R

Rachel Glanstein, PRP Timothy Wynn, PRP, Parliamentarian/Consultant

Two Proclamations Presented to George Demeter Unit

On April 1, 2023, Massachusetts Governor Maura T . Healy signed a proclamation recognizing the month of April as Parliamentary Law Month throughout the Commonwealth . A second proclamation was also issued, in accordance with Massachusetts law, designating the second Wednesday in April as George Demeter Day in Massachusetts . Demeter, the NAP Unit’s namesake, was a noted parliamentarian and author of Demeter’s Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure .

On April 13, 2023, members and guests of the NAP’s George Demeter Unit gathered at the Massachusetts State House to officially receive both proclamations signed by Governor Healy .

After the proclamation ceremony, Peter A . Senopoulos, PRP and Demeter’s grandnephew, gave an interesting presentation about the life of George Demeter .

Members and guests of NAP’s George Demeter Unit attending the proclamation ceremony. In the center of the second row, past unit president and event coordinator Peter Senopoulos is receiving a proclamation from Senator Bruce Tarr (right of proclamation). Centered (above the proclamation) is current Unit President Peter Klapes. Seated in the front row (white blazer) is George Demeter’s niece, Connie Prescott.

Candidate for Treasurer Withdraws

Daniel A. ivey-Soto, PRP, advises that he has decided to withdraw as a candidate for the office of treasurer for the National Association of Parliamentarians® 2023-2025 Board of Directors.

https://twitter.com/ napparlypro

https://fb.com/ parliamentarians/

n EW REG i STERED PAR li AME n TAR i A n S*

NP congratulates the following individuals on becoming Registered Parliamentarians: Gottlieb Simon (DC)

n EW P R o FESS ion A l REG i STERED PAR li AME n TAR i A n S*

NP congratulates the following individuals for attaining the status of Professional Registered Parliamentarians:

Kamala Allen (PA) Janice Booker (TN) Justin Pappano (ON)

Sil E n T G AVE l S *

NP commemorates members who have passed from our midst; may they rest in peace:

Larry Campbell (VA)

Susan Goodson (NE)

Irene Jinks (IL)

nEW M EMBERS *

Janet McConnell (WA)

John Noonan (BC)

Deloris Pinkard (KS)

Doris Steele (NE)

MaryAnne Tebedo (CO)

Alice Weinstein (NJ)

David Wilkins (IN)

NP welcomes the following individuals as new members:

Magdelyn Applewhite (FL)

Julie Avedikian (TX)

Ariana Avina (WA)

George Barriere (FL)

Alena Bennett (FL)

Jonathan Binstock (VA)

Jacquelyn Bobb (FL)

Sharron Boddy-Adedipe (PA)

Alex Brandon (CA)

Nichelle Brown (FL)

Katherine Brown (TN)

Daniel Bucan (PA)

Cynthia Bursey (TX)

Amy Cabell (NEAP)

Isabella Cao (NEAP)

Linda Carlson (CO)

Barbara Carter (GA)

Jessica Cashaw (FL)

Rita Chandler (FL)

Alice Chapman (MN)

Nicholas Clark (KY)

Mary Clark (FL)

Jaquetta Clemons Davis (TX)

Adrienne Coburn (TX)

Pino Colone (MI)

Danyell Conner (FL)

Willie Cooper (MI)

Daniel Corum (CA)

Melverine Cummings (FL)

Vickie Davis Holm (FL)

Claudia Douglas-Smith (IN)

Thomas Doyle (IL)

Stephanie Dukes (FL)

Heather Dumlao (WA)

Mark Dunham (IL)

Jeffery Dunkelberger (PA)

Rosetta Durant (FL)

Josephine Easton (FL)

Bianca Ebanks (FL)

Daniel El-Dweek (ND)

Minell Ellerbe (FL)

Audrey Evans (FL)

Eric Flagg (OH)

* For the period March 16, 2023 through June 15, 2023

Lisa Foust (MD)

Marcia Freeman (GA)

DiShante Fryer (FL)

Michael Goodyear (MB)

Ben Granholm (CA)

Tonecia Griffin (MD)

Tiffany Hall (FL)

Tonya Harris (LA)

Peggy Harris-Smith (FL)

Kenneth Hatcher (NC)

Kade Hill (IL)

Thomas Hoerner (FL)

Sabrina Hopkins (FL)

Kimberly Howard (FL)

Wanda Jackson (MD)

Sherrie Jackson (TX)

Kim Jermany (TX)

Sarah Johnson (FL)

Art Johnston (MN)

Drew Kennedy (TX)

Jennifer Klug (NEAP)

Maureen Laughlin (WI)

Marie Lawrie (OH)

Jennifer Levy (NJ)

Catrecia Lewis (FL)

Nicole Ludwig (BC)

Kimberly Mack (FL)

Karen Martin (TX)

Chana Mason (TX)

Tricia Mayea (BC)

Jerlene McClain (OK)

Natashia Miller (TX)

Anitra Mingo (FL)

Jacqueline Moise (FL)

Caitlin Monjeau (NY)

Tonya Moore (FL)

Lisa Morris (NM)

Deborah Munday (CA)

Patsy Newborn (TX)

Takiyah Nobles-Turner (GA)

Sherry Nobles-White (FL)

Bruce Parks (NV)

Jeffrey Parsons (MI)

Sheryl Patterson-Coulibaly (FL)

Dee Perkins (TX)

Cavine Phillips (FL)

Keianna Price (FL)

Yolanda Prier (TX)

Nadine Pryuer (FL)

Javita Richardson (FL)

Emily Rogers (FL)

Ayla Russell (AL)

Aisha Sharif-Lucas (PA)

Trevor Shaw (AK)

Yolanda Simmons (VA)

Sandy Simpson (FL)

Barbara Sistrunk (FL)

Janice Smith Evans (FL)

Sean Staley (CA)

Nakia Sturrup (FL)

Brandy Tannahill (CA)

William Tierney (WI)

Chandra Todd (FL)

Margaret Trahan (LA)

Amanda Turner (SC)

Toni Washington-Knight (FL)

Jonya Watts (TX)

Steven Williams (MO)

Esther Withers (FL)

Carolyn Yagle (PA)

Christian Zukowski (AB)

Thank you instructors!

A special thank you to the instructors of the aforementioned new members:

Edna Arrington

Bennyfer Bridgewater

Gregory Carlson

Kevin Connelly

Kay Crews

LaShonda Henderson

Lynea Lewis

Michelle Martineau

Cynthia Mayo

Pam Meyercord

Donna Mitchell

Helen Popovich

Johanna Schumacher

Cheryle Sherman

Drew Shy

Marsha Turner

Dave White

Fashika Willis

Sheryl Womble

Hit a Homerun

with the NAP Educational Foundation

Join the NAP Educational Foundation (NAPEF) at Truist Park on Friday, September 8, 2023, to watch the Atlanta Braves take on the Pittsburgh Pirates! This event is part of the NAP Biennial Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, September 8-12, 2023. The fundraiser will take place in the Hank Aaron Terrace and ticket prices include a $40 donation to the NAP Educational Foundation (NAPEF).

Gates Open: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

First Pitch: 7:20 p.m.

Tickets: $125 each

Evening Includes:

• Admission to the ballgame

• Ballpark-style buffet dinner open through the 5th inning

• Air-conditioned indoor or outdoor seating

• Access to a private bar and restrooms

• Extra innings: stay for fireworks at the end of the game!

Purchase tickets through the NAP Portal.