About Emilia Sanchez

My path to parliamentary procedure became intentional once I was aware of how parliamentary procedure could be used as an effective meeting tool. In high school, I was an elected class officer and there wasn't a prescribed method on how decisions were made, nor did we know the difference between a decision of one or a majority. Growing up in a Texas border town also colored my perception of how decisions were made when daily activities border the United States and Mexico.

In 2002, I started my career with the City of Seattle in the Office of the City Clerk, and quickly became a back-up to the City Clerk and Deputy Clerk for staffing City Council meetings. Soon after, I was fully staffing City Council meetings with popular items, yet, I didn’t have a parliamentary education or awareness of how to effectively provide guidance. After receiving parliamentary training from Jurassic Parliament, I started my path. I completed a Parliamentary Procedure Certificate through the University of Wisconsin. In 2020, I received my Registered Parliamentarian credential through the National Association of Parliamentarians. I am also a Certified Municipal Clerk through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC).

I have served as a parliamentarian for the Seattle City Council since 2010, and train Councilmembers on the Council Rules. I am also a parliamentary procedure instructor at the Northwest Clerks Institute, an accredited educational program through IIMC, and so far, have trained 120 Clerks in local government.

Education has been a key factor in my path to become a Registered Parliamentarian. I enjoy sharing my decades of experience and knowledge that can help my peers, and anyone seeking guidance on how to effectively participate in meetings, manage meetings efficiently, and deal with multiple variables associated with personalities and varied opinions about the outcome desired in business.

When I am not focused on rules or procedures, I am traveling to spend time with my family, seeking time outdoors and warmer climates, learning how to landscape and maintain it, and enjoying the arts in Seattle.