Ann Macfarlane

Who can make a motion?

By Ann Macfarlane / April 17, 2015 / Comments Off on Who can make a motion?
Five people in professional attire pose for a group photo in an office setting, with an American flag and a large map in the background. One of them appears ready to make a motion, adding an air of formality and purpose to the scene.

As part of our crusade to de-mystify Robert’s Rules of Order and empower people serving on nonprofit boards, city councils, and other governing bodies, we would like to address a simple question: who can make a motion? The answer is: you! If you are a voting member of one of these bodies, and it functions…

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Who may raise a point of order at council meetings?

By Ann Macfarlane / April 17, 2015 /
A red stop sign with two lights is attached to the side of a yellow vehicle, next to the text "NO," serving as a clear point of order for passing drivers.

Over the years of working with parliamentary procedure I’ve found that there is a lot of confusion about the motion “point of order.” In essence, when a person says “point of order” he is making a claim that there has been some procedural mistake. In his view, something has been done incorrectly, and it ought…

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Who’s responsible for the money?

By Ann Macfarlane / April 17, 2015 / Comments Off on Who’s responsible for the money?
A close-up image of various denominations of U.S. paper currency, including $1, $10, and $50 bills, showing parts of different designs and portraits, subtly hinting at those responsible for the money's iconic features.

Some time ago Andrew Estep presented “I’ve Just Been Elected Treasurer – HELP!” at the Washington State Nonprofit Governance conference in Tacoma. One attendee requested assistance on how to explain board responsibility to the board of directors itself. Her comment stayed with me: “When things start to go wrong, people are kind of surprised at how…

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My board is too nice

By Ann Macfarlane / April 17, 2015 / Comments Off on My board is too nice

At a recent family party, as we enjoyed summer pasta salad and delicious cheeses, a guest and I chatted about Jurassic Parliament. We were discussing boards of directors when she made this off-hand comment: “My board is too nice.”

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Which Robert’s Rules should I buy?

By Ann Macfarlane / April 17, 2015 / Comments Off on Which Robert’s Rules should I buy?
Cover of the book "Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 12th Edition," featuring authors Henry M. Robert III, Daniel H. Honemann, Thomas J. Balch, Daniel E. Seabold, and Shmuel Gerber; this essential guide includes crucial small board rules for effective meeting management.

Updated July 15, 2021 When I first became interested in Robert’s Rules of Order and parliamentary procedure, I toddled off to the bookstore to get myself the book. A thin volume with a purple and green art nouveau cover, proffering Robert’s Rules for the current century, looked like a good bet. I handed over my…

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What are Robert’s Rules and why should we care about them?

By Ann Macfarlane / April 14, 2015 / Comments Off on What are Robert’s Rules and why should we care about them?
photo of Robert impersonator

Updated November 19, 2022 Henry Martyn Robert, an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, published the original Robert’s Rules of Order in 1876. He wanted to help people who were working together in voluntary groups to run good meetings. Over a century later we still have problems running good meetings. Robert’s Rules and…

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