Notes and Comments on Robert's Rules, Fourth Edition

by Jim Slaughter, Gaut Ragsdale, Jon L Ericson

Overview

 

While Robert’s Rules of Order has long been the standard guide to parliamentary procedure, many readers find the manual too daunting and complex to utilize its full potential. In Notes and Comments on "Robert’s Rules", fourth edition, authors Jim Slaughter, Gaut Ragsdale, and Jon Ericson skillfully guide users through the intricate pathways of the latest edition of Robert’s Rules, transforming the often intimidating parliamentary guidebook into an easy-to-use tool. Notes and Comments explains in simple terms the individual motions found in Robert’s Rules, presents extensive tips and suggestions regarding possible modifications to Robert’s practices; allows readers to witness the vigorous debate about the rules within the notes section; and compares major parliamentary authorities.  A reader-friendly question-and-answer format provides immediate solutions to the most common quandaries that arise during the meeting process, and a card featuring simplified charts of parliamentary motions is available for the user’s quick reference.

An essential volume for members of nonprofits, voluntary associations, unions, condo and homeowner associations, student organizations, and government bodies, Notes and Comments on “Robert’s Rules” makes parliamentary procedure accessible to meeting participants as never before. Each section of this authoritative, straightforward guide is designed to empower participants with the confidence and knowledge necessary to navigate any meeting, large or small, with the utmost efficiency.

2013 Winner of the Phifer Award from the National Communication Association

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780809332168
Publisher:	Southern Illinois University Press
Publication date:	11/13/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Jim Slaughter is an attorney, a certified professional parliamentarian-teacher, a professional registered parliamentarian, and past president of the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers. He is a partner in the North Carolina law firm of Rossabi Black Slaughter, PA. 

Gaut Ragsdale, a certified professional parliamentarian-teacher and a registered parliamentarian, is a professor at Northern Kentucky University and associate dean of the College of Informatics.

Jon Ericson, the Ellis and Nelle Levitt Professor of Rhetoric and Communication Studies emeritus and a former Provost at Drake University, is the original author of Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules.

Table of Contents

Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Preface to the Fourth Edition Introduction On Robert’s Rules Parliamentary Procedure as Scapegoat How to Use This Book Part I Ranking of Motions Order of Precedence Part II Getting Started: Basic Provisions for Handling a Motion Part III Main Motion Resolution Postpone Indefinitely Amend (the Amending Process) Substitute The Perfecting Process (Used with the Motion to Substitute) Create a Blank Commit or Refer Committees Committee of the Whole, Quasi Committee of the Whole, Informal Consideration Postpone to a Certain Time (or Definitely) Creating Orders Call for the Orders of the Day Limit or Extend Limits of Debate Previous Question (Close Debate) Lay on the Table Take from the Table Raise a Question of Privilege Recess Adjourn Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn Point of Order Appeal Suspend the Rules Objection to the Consideration of a Question Division of a Question (Divide a Motion) Division of the Assembly Requests and Inquiries Rescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted Reconsider Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly Part IV Quorum Meetings Conventions Boards Minutes Voting Nominations and Elections Bylaws The Chair The Parliamentarian Introduction Part I Part II Part III Part IV References Index Author Biographies Quick-Reference Charts of Parliamentary Motions Back Cover

Editorial Reviews

“For anyone who has felt hog-tied and browbeat by parliamentary procedures (or parliamentarians), I second the motion to get this book.  Ericson, Slaughter and Ragsdale turn the mystery of Robert’s Rules into plain English. Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules, Fourth Edition is crisply organized, accessible to the novice and invaluable to the practiced.”—Dennis Van Roekel, President, National Education Association

“You may own a copy of Robert’s Rules. You may have even read it. But to truly understand Robert’s, you need Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules, Fourth Edition.”—Rich Trumka, President, AFL-CIO

From the Publisher