Ann Macfarlane

What Is a Quorum FAQs

By Ann Macfarlane / September 13, 2021 / Comments Off on What Is a Quorum FAQs

Quorum questions are the most common searches on the Jurassic Parliament website. Here are the contents of our new article, “What Is a Quorum FAQs.” Join our list and get your free copy. This article is based on Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th edition. Read about quorum in Chapter XI, Section 40. As…

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After rescinding the motion, what next?

By Ann Macfarlane / September 10, 2021 / Comments Off on After rescinding the motion, what next?

Dear Dinosaur:  In your September newsletter, you said that anybody could move to rescind a motion, regardless of how they voted originally. After a motion is rescinded, can a new motion pertaining to the same topic replace it? Answer: The motion to rescind cancels out the original motion and leaves the field open for a…

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When asked to vote, director does nothing

By Ann Macfarlane / August 23, 2021 / Comments Off on When asked to vote, director does nothing

Dear Dinosaur:  When calling for the vote with our 3-person county board, two directors vote “aye” and the third director does not vote. The director doesn’t vote aye, nay or with an abstention when asked. Just simply, no action. How is that vote then recorded? Answer: Under Robert’s Rules of Order, “to abstain” is to…

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Committees in Robert’s Rules

By Ann Macfarlane / August 13, 2021 /

Do you want committees that run smooth and effective meetings? Download our paper, “Committees in Robert’s Rules,” to learn how they can. Committees in Robert’s Rules – Introduction A committee is a group of volunteers who have agreed to do a job defined by someone else. The key fact about a committee is that it…

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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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Was this proper use of “Point of Information”?

By Ann Macfarlane / July 23, 2021 /

Dear Dinosaur: A board member at a condo association meeting made a motion.  The motion did not receive a second.  The board member then said, “Point of Information,” and continued to state his opinion of why the motion was important.  Was this the proper use of “Point of Information?  If so, what is the use of…

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Can director take back his vote?

By Ann Macfarlane / July 8, 2021 / Comments Off on Can director take back his vote?

Dear Dinosaur: Our board voted to eject a member from our social club. The next week, one of the directors changed his mind and said he wanted to take back his vote. Can he do this? Answer: No, once a vote has been taken, the chair has announced the result, and the board has gone…

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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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Unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting

By Ann Macfarlane / June 23, 2021 /

One of the useful techniques to add to your voting toolkit is “unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting.” If allowed by state law, you can use this approach when it’s not feasible to hold a live board meeting. In order to do this, prepare a written motion proposing the action that you would…

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Mischievous troublemaker vs. pedantic stickler

By Ann Macfarlane / June 18, 2021 / Comments Off on Mischievous troublemaker vs. pedantic stickler

Dear Dinosaur: At our church council meetings, the chair calls for the vote by saying, “All those in favor, please raise your right hand.” One of our members raises his left hand, upon which the chair refuses to count his vote. Is this correct? Answer: It seems as if your chair is a pedantic stickler…

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