Your Resources

Run, don’t walk, to buy Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track

By Ann Macfarlane / October 21, 2022 / Comments Off on Run, don’t walk, to buy Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track

Reader, I am over the moon about Jim Slaughter’s new book, Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track. This brief, affordable and funny guidebook will give you the tools to apply Robert’s Rules immediately and effectively. Jim’s humor and focus kept me reading with enjoyment, underlining key phrases, and dotting the text with exclamation points. Jim…

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Jim Slaughter’s new website – amazing resource for Robert’s Rules

By Ann Macfarlane / April 12, 2022 /

The announcement that Jim Slaughter has revamped and updated his website is joyful news for all of us committed to good meetings and the democratic process. I have long valued the resources that Jim provides. His book Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules is my “go-to” volume for clear and helpful explanations of difficult aspects…

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Should you adopt “The Modern Rules of Order” by Donald Tortorice?

By Ann Macfarlane / March 10, 2022 / Comments Off on Should you adopt “The Modern Rules of Order” by Donald Tortorice?

Guest post by Weldon L. Merritt, JD, PRP-R, CPP-Retired The Modern Rules of Order, 5th edition (MRO), by Donald A. Tortorice, a law professor at William and Mary School of Law, is one of the many works intended to replace Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th edition (RONR), as a parliamentary authority for adoption…

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Becoming a parliamentarian step-by-step

By Ann Macfarlane / August 2, 2021 / Comments Off on Becoming a parliamentarian step-by-step

Updated September 20, 2023 A reader wrote, saying that he had been running a summer camp for 23 years, and would like a change of occupation. What would it take to become a parliamentarian? I had to reply that becoming a parliamentarian is not an easy career path. Most parliamentarians I know either have another…

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Limited budget? Spend $8.99 on BEST short introduction to Robert’s Rules

By Ann Macfarlane / June 30, 2021 /

When confronted with the book, Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th edition, readers sometimes falter in their enthusiasm. The bulk and heft of this book are daunting to anyone—they certainly were to me when I was getting started in the study of parliamentary procedure. If you hesitate to plunge into the official book, start…

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Robert’s isn’t the only game in town – consider AIPSC

By Ann Macfarlane / December 4, 2020 /

Guest post by Weldon L. Merritt, PRP, CPP Does your organization use Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) as its parliamentary authority? Do you sometimes feel daunted by RONR’s 700+ pages and its often seemingly archaic terminology? If so, you may be interested to learn that RONR is not your only choice for a…

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Grab this brilliant free “quick-guide” poster today!

By Ann Macfarlane / March 18, 2019 /

The City of Olympia has given us permission to share this quick-guide poster, which you may adapt for your own meetings.

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Starting a nonprofit? Here’s a helpful workbook

By Ann Macfarlane / October 5, 2018 / Comments Off on Starting a nonprofit? Here’s a helpful workbook

Are you planning to start your own nonprofit organization? The process is complex.

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Governance geeks will love fabulous blog by Sarah Merkle

By Ann Macfarlane / April 10, 2018 / Comments Off on Governance geeks will love fabulous blog by Sarah Merkle

Updated November 20, 2022 On the first evening of my exciting trip to Alaska in 2018, Lon Garrison and Timi Tullis treated me to dinner. We spent the entire evening in energetic discussion of Robert’s Rules and meeting management. Lon’s wife shook her head when he got home and said, “You should call yourselves the…

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CHEAT SHEET Language Tips for Meeting Management

By Ann Macfarlane / February 26, 2018 / Comments Off on CHEAT SHEET Language Tips for Meeting Management

Do you feel flummoxed by the language of Robert’s Rules? Is it a challenge for you to keep things running smoothly at your meetings? We have just what you need!

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