Ann Macfarlane, Author at Jurassic Parliament

Make better decisions using Exploratory Round Robin

By Ann Macfarlane / November 23, 2018 / Comments Off

Three individuals sit at a conference table taking notes during a meeting. A can of soda and a snack bag are on the table, while one person looks visibly uncomfortable after inappropriate remarks were made.

You can make better decisions about complicated proposals by using the Exploratory Round Robin.

Expectations are planned resentments

By Ann Macfarlane / November 16, 2018 / Comments Off

A group of people sits around a round table in a conference room, engaged in discussion. A man speaks, outlining expectations while facing the others, and a projector screen is visible in the background.

Guest post by Craig Freshley. We have been big fans of Craig’s wisdom for years and are honored to share this guest post with our readers. Visit Craig’s website for more superb tips on meetings and leadership.

We need to be brutally honest as Election Day approaches

By Ann Macfarlane / November 2, 2018 / Comments Off

A woman with long, light brown hair wearing a black turtleneck, a golden scarf, and a necklace with a red heart pendant is smiling honestly in front of a brick wall.

My friend Donna Cameron writes, “We need to be brutally honest with ourselves.

You must call for the negative vote

By Ann Macfarlane / October 23, 2018 / Comments Off

A hand with a dark sleeve is giving a negative vote gesture, thumbs-down, against a white background.

Updated November 18, 2022 One of the surprising rules about voting is that when taking the vote, the chair MUST call for the negative vote—even if the chair is perfectly certain that there were enough votes in favor to pass the motion. This ensures that everyone enjoys their full right to vote, even if they…

Action Items List will improve board followup

By Ann Macfarlane / October 18, 2018 / Comments Off

At our nonprofit workshop last Saturday, someone asked, “How can you get board members to do what is agreed upon by the group at large?”

Successful staff interaction in local government meetings

By Ann Macfarlane / October 10, 2018 / Comments Off

Staff interaction in local government meetings can be effective or disastrous.

Starting a nonprofit? Here’s a helpful workbook

By Ann Macfarlane / October 5, 2018 / Comments Off

Cover of "Non-profit, Tax-Exempt Corporation Workbook" by Amy Hereford. The yellow cover features a small image of stacked papers near the center, ideal for anyone starting a nonprofit.

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

When is a quorum not enough?

By Ann Macfarlane / September 28, 2018 /

A red keyboard key with the word "OOPS!" written on it is seen among white keys, standing out like an error in correct meeting minutes.

It seems that confusion is rampant about the “quorum” and related voting issues. Read on:

Interrupting is not allowed at meetings

By Ann Macfarlane / September 7, 2018 / Comments Off

Woman with long brown hair making a time-out gesture with her hands, as if interrupting a conversation, standing in front of a vibrant green background.

Interrupting is one of the most common conversational gambits in our American society. It is not allowed at meetings run according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

No after-the-fact comments in minutes

By Ann Macfarlane / August 31, 2018 /

Portrait of a man with long curly hair, wearing a dark brown coat with gold buttons and a white cravat, standing against a plain background—an image that leaves little room for after-the-fact comments.

As our faithful readers know, Robert’s Rules affirms that minutes contain what is DONE, not what is SAID. Personal remarks and commentary do not belong in meeting minutes. By extension there is no place for after-the-fact comments in the minutes, either. The minutes are the record of the meeting itself. If your council or board…

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Ann Macfarlane

Make better decisions using Exploratory Round Robin

Expectations are planned resentments

We need to be brutally honest as Election Day approaches

You must call for the negative vote

Action Items List will improve board followup

Successful staff interaction in local government meetings

Starting a nonprofit? Here’s a helpful workbook

When is a quorum not enough?

Interrupting is not allowed at meetings

No after-the-fact comments in minutes

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