Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part 1: It’s Parliamentary, My Dear: Participating Effectively in Meetings 7
CHAPTER 1: Following the Rules (Robert’s, That Is) 9
CHAPTER 2: Defining the Organization: Bylaws and Other Rules 19
CHAPTER 3: Meetings: Making Group Decisions 37
CHAPTER 4: Notice and a Quorum 51
CHAPTER 5: Ordering Business: The Agenda 63
Part 2: Motions: Putting Ideas into Action 75
CHAPTER 6: Main Motions: Proposing Ideas for Group Action 77
CHAPTER 7: Debate: Discussing the Pros and Cons of Ideas 97
CHAPTER 8: Making Group Decisions: Voting on the Motion 115
CHAPTER 9: Subsidiary Motions: Helping to Process the Main Motion 137
CHAPTER 10: Privileged Motions: Getting Through the Meeting 167
CHAPTER 11: Incidental Motions: Dealing with Questions of Procedure 183
CHAPTER 12: Haven’t We Decided This Already? Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly 217
Part 3: Getting Involved in Leadership 237
CHAPTER 13: Who’s Going to Do the Work? Following Nomination Procedures 239
CHAPTER 14: Holding Elections and Making Appointments 251
CHAPTER 15: Running the Show: Officers and Directors 267
CHAPTER 16: Gearing Up for the Real Action: Committees 283
CHAPTER 17: Reporting to Your Organization 295
CHAPTER 18: Disciplining and Removing Officers or Members 309
CHAPTER 19: Starting a New Association 321
CHAPTER 20: The Convention of Delegates: A Special Kind of Assembly 333
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Part 4: The Part of Tens 345
CHAPTER 21: Ten (Or So) Meeting Procedure Myths 347
CHAPTER 22: Ten Tips for Presiding Officers 357
CHAPTER 23: Ten Motion Mistakes to Avoid 365
CHAPTER 24: Ten Custom Rules to Consider 373
APPENDIX: Glossary of Parliamentary Terms 381
Index 389