nonprofit board

Getting your board to buy in to Robert’s Rules

By Ann Macfarlane / January 31, 2019 /

A reader writes, “The city council has never used much parliamentary procedure in our meetings. People speak when they want and sidebar discussions are common. How to ease the council into more parliamentary procedure without confusing them?” It’s a great question. Here are three steps you can take to get your council or board to…

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What are rights of ordinary members at nonprofit board meetings?

By Ann Macfarlane / January 23, 2019 /

When you are considering the rights of ordinary members at nonprofit board meetings, first look to your state statutes.

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Follow four fundamental guidelines for successful meetings

By Ann Macfarlane / January 3, 2019 / Comments Off on Follow four fundamental guidelines for successful meetings

Robert’s Rules of Order includes four fundamental guidelines that will create successful meetings. They are easy to say but take some effort to apply, since prevailing culture is often very different. Run your meetings according to these guidelines so your meetings—and your organization—will flourish. Download PDF I. The person running the meeting is the servant of…

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The chair is not in charge of your meeting

By Ann Macfarlane / December 27, 2018 / Comments Off on The chair is not in charge of your meeting

It is a little-known fact that ultimately it is the board that is in charge of your meeting, not the chair. According to the principles of parliamentary procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order, the chair runs the meeting while subject to the will of the body as a whole. This is very different from the…

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They threw him out of Parliament. You can sanction too.

By Ann Macfarlane / December 12, 2018 /

High drama in the House of Commons as Member of Parliament expelled for the day.

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Don’t get chummy

By Ann Macfarlane / November 28, 2018 /

City councilmembers and nonprofit board leaders should not get chummy—too familiar—with their constituents or regular members. Here’s why.

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Action Items List will improve board followup

By Ann Macfarlane / October 18, 2018 / Comments Off on Action Items List will improve board followup
word followup with marker

At our nonprofit workshop last Saturday, someone asked, “How can you get board members to do what is agreed upon by the group at large?”

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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

Are you planning to start your own nonprofit organization? The process is complex.

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Counting a vote wrong is dangerous

By Ann Macfarlane / August 16, 2018 / Comments Off on Counting a vote wrong is dangerous

Updated November 18, 2022 Counting a vote wrong can land you in big trouble. As readers know, the QUORUM is the minimum number of voting members who must be present for business to be done. Once you have your quorum in place, you can take action by discussion and voting. (Read “what is a quorum”…

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What are the 11 duties of the chair?

By Ann Macfarlane / July 23, 2018 / Comments Off on What are the 11 duties of the chair?

Under Robert’s Rules of Order, the chair of a meeting has 11 duties. These duties are listed in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th edition, the only official and current version of Robert’s Rules, in section 47:7. Download PDF THE MEETING may be that of a city council, a nonprofit board, a professional society,…

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