decorum

Inappropriate remarks on local government councils

By Ann Macfarlane / December 14, 2017 / Comments Off on Inappropriate remarks on local government councils
A wooden gavel rests on its base against a white background, commonly used in courtrooms and legal proceedings to maintain order and address inappropriate remarks.

If you serve as an elected official on a local government council or board, you should know the types of remarks that are inappropriate during discussion at meetings. Robert’s Rules of Order and the common parliamentary law it is based on require that: Members of a council or board must be courteous to one another.…

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Citizen’s Guide to Effective Public Meetings

By Ann Macfarlane / October 6, 2017 / Comments Off on Citizen’s Guide to Effective Public Meetings
Cover of the "Citizen's Guide to Effective Conduct of Public Meetings Using Parliamentary Procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order in Washington State." Features a panel of nine individuals.

Your Citizen’s Guide to Effective Public Meetings is now available for interested citizens and residents. If you want to know the expectations for public meetings under parliamentary procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order, explained clearly and elegantly, download this Citizen’s Guide today!

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Pain point: Whispering and sidebar conversations

By Ann Macfarlane / October 4, 2016 /
A man in a business suit leans in for a sidebar conversation, whispering into the ear of a smiling woman also dressed in professional attire.

This week a reader called me for advice about whispering and sidebar conversations. He is an officer in a small club dedicated to German shepherd dogs. At the last meeting, when a member was giving a report on research she had done, there were two separate sidebar conversations going on. I was happy to tell…

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The First Amendment is not the last word

By Ann Macfarlane / August 18, 2016 /
First Amendment

In this country today, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution is the foundation of our civil liberty.

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Do you have a bully on board?

By Ann Macfarlane / February 15, 2016 /
antique carving of bully

Reader Lon Garrison from Alaska asks how to deal with a bully who intimidates other members of the school board, including the chair. There are several things a body can do to resolve this unfortunate situation. Points to consider: 1) Bullying is never allowed at board or council meetings. It’s just common sense that when…

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How to stop rude behavior

By Ann Macfarlane / November 20, 2015 /
picture of woman saying stop

Don’t you hate it when you’re interrupted? How about when somebody else says something that feels like a personal attack? Being disrespected feels awful for any normal person. And the good news is that you don’t have to put up with it! Rude behavior is absolutely forbidden under Robert’s Rules. When you are a member…

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