Ann Macfarlane, Author at Jurassic Parliament

Beware of negativity bias

By Ann Macfarlane / August 25, 2018 / Comments Off

A woman with long blonde hair sits in a black office chair, holding a pen and making a doubtful expression. She is wearing a black blazer and white shirt, her face subtly reflecting the negativity bias she's wrestling with.

Human beings have a sharp and useful instinct for the negative.

Counting a vote wrong is dangerous

By Ann Macfarlane / August 16, 2018 / Comments Off

Red ballot box with "Every Vote Counts!" written on the front, containing a few white papers sticking out of the slot. Ensuring accuracy is paramount; counting a vote wrong undermines our democracy.

Updated November 18, 2022 Counting a vote wrong can land you in big trouble. As readers know, the QUORUM is the minimum number of voting members who must be present for business to be done. Once you have your quorum in place, you can take action by discussion and voting. (Read “what is a quorum”…

Essential Guidelines for Small Casual Groups

By Ann Macfarlane / August 2, 2018 / Comments Off

A small casual group of people sits at a table during a meeting. Laptops, papers, and coffee cups are scattered about. Framed photos decorate the wall in the background.

Many small casual groups spend too much time in discussion. Seeking consensus, time can be wasted and little progress made.

What are the 11 duties of the chair?

By Ann Macfarlane / July 23, 2018 / Comments Off

City council chamber with a wooden backdrop, an American flag, and six empty chairs at a curved desk. The city’s emblem is centered on the wall behind the desk, where the duties of chair are often discussed and delegated.

Under Robert’s Rules of Order, the chair of a meeting has 11 duties. These duties are listed in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th edition, the only official and current version of Robert’s Rules, in section 47:7. Download PDF THE MEETING may be that of a city council, a nonprofit board, a professional society,…

Choosing citizens by lottery: recipe for disaster?

By Ann Macfarlane / July 16, 2018 / Comments Off

The Washington Citizen’s Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials chooses half its 20 members by lottery.

The board booted me out – but can they?

By Ann Macfarlane / July 10, 2018 / Comments Off

An umpire wearing protective gear, including a face mask and chest guard, gives a thumbs-up gesture. He stands against a plain white background, as if signaling the confidence required for removing a director.

A reader writes that he was voted off the board of directors of his neighborhood association. On investigation, it turned out that the board didn’t have the right to remove him. The director was reinstated. What are the rules about removing a director of a nonprofit organization? In order to answer this question, you have…

Tie vote fails

By Ann Macfarlane / June 26, 2018 / Comments Off

A person in a suit marks a checkbox labeled "Fail" with a red check, next to another empty checkbox labeled "Pass," suggesting the outcome could hinge on a tie vote.

Updated July 22, 2021 What happens when a vote is tied? Here are a few angles to this question. A reader writes: I am the Vice-Chair of a small board—three people, Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary. We have dual roles. One voted yes. One voted no. One abstained. Does the motion pass or is the motion…

Don’t say “so moved” or “same sign”

By Ann Macfarlane / June 19, 2018 / Comments Off

Image containing a gavel tilted to the right with the text "So Moved" prominently displayed in bold, white letters against a vibrant blue background.

It’s common for people to say “so moved” when they agree with something a speaker says. Often this is a kind of enthusiastic endorsement. BUT…What exactly was moved? If the remarks or proposal were vague, it is not clear what was intended. We recommend that people NOT use this phrase. However, if someone does say, “So moved,” the chair…