Your Resources

Run, don’t walk, to buy Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track

By Ann Macfarlane / October 21, 2022 / Comments Off on Run, don’t walk, to buy Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track
Cover of the book "Robert's Rules of Order Fast Track" by Jim Slaughter, featuring a gavel on a red background with subtitles emphasizing a guide to parliamentary procedure and virtual meetings.

Reader, I am over the moon about Jim Slaughter’s new book, Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track. This brief, affordable and funny guidebook will give you the tools to apply Robert’s Rules immediately and effectively. Jim’s humor and focus kept me reading with enjoyment, underlining key phrases, and dotting the text with exclamation points. Jim…

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Jim Slaughter’s new website – amazing resource for Robert’s Rules

By Ann Macfarlane / April 12, 2022 /
A man with short brown hair in a dark suit, white shirt, and blue tie smiles confidently in front of a dark blue background. This is Jim Slaughter.

The announcement that Jim Slaughter has revamped and updated his website is joyful news for all of us committed to good meetings and the democratic process. I have long valued the resources that Jim provides. His book Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules is my “go-to” volume for clear and helpful explanations of difficult aspects…

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Should you adopt “The Modern Rules of Order” by Donald Tortorice?

By Ann Macfarlane / March 10, 2022 / Comments Off on Should you adopt “The Modern Rules of Order” by Donald Tortorice?
Cover of "The Modern Rules of Order, 5th edition" by Donald A. Tortorice, featuring a blue and purple geometric patterned background evocative of contemporary organizational strategies.

Guest post by Weldon L. Merritt, JD, PRP-R, CPP-Retired The Modern Rules of Order, 5th edition (MRO), by Donald A. Tortorice, a law professor at William and Mary School of Law, is one of the many works intended to replace Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th edition (RONR), as a parliamentary authority for adoption…

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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
A judge's gavel resting on its sound block with the text "Becoming a Parliamentarian" on a green background.

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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Limited budget? Spend $8.99 on BEST short introduction to Robert’s Rules

By Ann Macfarlane / June 30, 2021 /
The cover of the book "Robert's Rules of Order: In Brief, Newly Revised" with a spiral binding mentions it is fully updated and the only authorized concise guide. This serves as a short introduction to Robert's Rules.

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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Robert’s isn’t the only game in town – consider AIPSC

By Ann Macfarlane / December 4, 2020 /
Cover of the "American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure" featuring a gavel at the bottom.

Guest post by Weldon L. Merritt, PRP, CPP Does your organization use Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) as its parliamentary authority? Do you sometimes feel daunted by RONR’s 700+ pages and its often seemingly archaic terminology? If so, you may be interested to learn that RONR is not your only choice for a…

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Grab this brilliant free “quick-guide” poster today!

By Ann Macfarlane / March 18, 2019 /
A group of people sit around a conference table, attentively listening to a person at the podium giving a presentation, while a colorful poster hangs on the wall behind them.

The City of Olympia has given us permission to share this quick-guide poster, which you may adapt for your own meetings.

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Starting a nonprofit? Here’s a helpful workbook

By Ann Macfarlane / October 5, 2018 / Comments Off on Starting a nonprofit? Here’s a helpful workbook
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.

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Governance geeks will love fabulous blog by Sarah Merkle

By Ann Macfarlane / April 10, 2018 / Comments Off on Governance geeks will love fabulous blog by Sarah Merkle
A woman with blonde hair, wearing a black top and smiling, stands in front of a blurred outdoor background with buildings, possibly waiting to provide a public comment.

Updated November 20, 2022 On the first evening of my exciting trip to Alaska in 2018, Lon Garrison and Timi Tullis treated me to dinner. We spent the entire evening in energetic discussion of Robert’s Rules and meeting management. Lon’s wife shook her head when he got home and said, “You should call yourselves the…

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CHEAT SHEET Language Tips for Meeting Management

By Ann Macfarlane / February 26, 2018 / Comments Off on CHEAT SHEET Language Tips for Meeting Management
A handheld silver and black microphone is mounted on a black microphone stand against a white background, ready to provide language tips.

Do you feel flummoxed by the language of Robert’s Rules? Is it a challenge for you to keep things running smoothly at your meetings? We have just what you need!

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