Dear Dinosaur Advice Column
Got questions about Robert's Rules of Order?
Ann Macfarlane is a dinosaur who knows her stuff.
She explains the complexity of Robert's Rules so it makes sense.
She loves hearing from readers with their questions about Robert's Rules of Order.
Dear Dinosaur
Dear Dinosaur: I am a school board trustee, and no members of my board have a firm grasp on parliamentary procedure, including our board president. I have done my best to follow parliamentary procedure in meetings, but it is difficult because the chair often brushes off my motions. For instance, during the last meeting, I…
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Dear Dinosaur: My homeowner’s association allows for public comments. However, we have members who want to make written comments and keep it anonymous. I don’t think this is right. You need to know who your members are, and they alone are allowed to participate in the proceedings. I don’t see how we could just allow…
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Dear Dinosaur: Our board of directors held its biennial election for new officers in December. Our next board meeting is scheduled for January 10. Our question is: When does a new president assume the responsibilities of the office, and how is that transition handled? As the current board president, do I turn over responsibilities to the new…
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Dear Dinosaur: A member of our board relentlessly wants the minutes for the January 2024 meeting to include the content of a conversation he had at that meeting. At every meeting, he makes a motion to do this. Our minutes provide the actions of the board but not direct quotes from people. How can we…
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Dear Dinosaur: In our committee meeting, someone made a motion, and before a second could be made, discussion began. Upon completion of the discussion, the meeting chair said, “There is a motion and a second, all in favor?” The vote was cast without a second. Is this ok? Answer: If someone makes a motion and…
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Dear Dinosaur: Our council meeting took an interesting turn last week. The council comment period was over, and they were winding up public comments when two of our council members decided they had more to say. Are they allowed to speak during public comments? Should they recuse themselves from the meeting and then make their…
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Dear Dinosaur: One of our councilmembers puts question after question after question to the staff at meetings. Sometimes our meetings are five hours long! What can be done about this? Answer: This certainly can be a problem! We suggest that you discuss the matter with the council chair, mayor, and/or city manager, and see if…
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Dear Dinosaur: At a recent citizen advisory committee meeting, a colleague made hateful statements about a minority group as a whole. This was in response to diversity training we had received. I was shocked and didn’t know what to do. Answer: It is indeed shocking when someone makes outrageous statements attacking a category of people.…
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Dear Dinosaur: How can I find out about state laws pertaining to my organization? Do I have to hire an attorney? Answer: You can learn about your state’s laws pertaining to your type of organization on your own. You do not have to have a law degree to read the law and understand its plain…
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Dear Dinosaur: At our December board meeting, the board postponed an agenda item to early February. Is there any proper way to pull the item back early? Answer: Interestingly enough, Robert’s Rules allows an item to be postponed only to the next meeting, if it falls within a quarterly interval. You can read more about…
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