point of order

Is your council puzzled by these 15 issues?

By Ann Macfarlane / September 19, 2024 /
Four faceless figures in business attire stand with arms crossed in front of a green background, their empty connected speech bubbles forming a large puzzle piece shape, as if the council is puzzled over a difficult decision.

Dear reader, A friend recently sent me this list of 15 issues that are puzzling for the council he staffs. Does your council struggle with any of these? Let us know by sending an email here! This will help us tailor our training to your real needs. Many of these issues are addressed in self-paced…

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What justifies calling a Point of Order?

By Ann Macfarlane / November 8, 2023 / Comments Off on What justifies calling a Point of Order?
A woman with long black hair, wearing a red top and jeans, is seated in a wheelchair and raising her right index finger in a point of order.

Guest post by Nicole Schenk The motion Point of Order is a request to the chair to enforce a parliamentary rule, which a member is claiming has just been broken, or is in the process of being broken. Calling a Point of Order is a basic right of every member. It is one way to…

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Extra rules to add to Robert’s Rules

By Ann Macfarlane / February 3, 2023 / Comments Off on Extra rules to add to Robert’s Rules
Stack of newspapers with the headline "EXTRA!! EXTRA!!" on the top page. The newspaper, titled "News Today," delves into special rules of order in its latest issue.

Robert’s Rules of Order is a daunting subject for many folks who haven’t yet seen how much it improves meetings. We strive in Jurassic Parliament to distill key information that will help you run effective and fair meetings. Distillation is one thing, but ADDING RULES? When there are already hundreds of pages of rules in…

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Disruptive members derailing your Zoom meetings? Use these rules!

By Ann Macfarlane / May 24, 2021 / Comments Off on Disruptive members derailing your Zoom meetings? Use these rules!
A railway track with a section of the rails bent and misaligned, likely due to damage. The surrounding area has grass and gravel, emphasizing the need for strict zoom rules for disruptive members during virtual inspections.

A client is running Zoom meetings for 300-400 members. Not surprisingly, the meetings are challenging! People fail to follow common courtesy, Points of Order are rife, sometimes discourse collapses. It doesn’t have to be that way. Jurassic Parliament has developed a set of “sample Zoom rules,” based on Robert’s Rules of Order and adapted to…

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Minor mistakes in Robert’s Rules don’t invalidate action

By Ann Macfarlane / December 18, 2020 / Comments Off on Minor mistakes in Robert’s Rules don’t invalidate action
A wooden stamp marked with the word "BLOOPERS" in red ink, perfect for highlighting mistakes in Robert's Rules.

A recent news report described how a school board, realizing that no one had seconded the motion they approved, went back at the next meeting and voted on it again. This was a waste of time. Download PDF The purpose of “seconding the motion” is to be sure that at least two people on a…

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How to be objective about subjective comments

By Ann Macfarlane / September 28, 2020 /
A gold door handle with a chain holds a sign that reads "OBJECTIVITY," subtly contrasting the prevalence of subjective comments.

  What can you do when your colleagues on a board or council say things that you find offensive? What if they are making subjective statements that hurt your feelings? We are living in tough times for civility. People feel free to say things during meetings that can be offensive and challenging. Robert’s Rules of…

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When should the clerk speak up?

By Ann Macfarlane / September 10, 2020 /
Two women in professional attire stand facing each other; one, with a microphone, raises her right hand as the other, behind a wooden podium, administers an oath. Notably, this moment underscores when should clerk speak up during such formal proceedings.

The clerk of a local government meeting or the secretary on a nonprofit board has a high calling. Under Robert’s Rules, two persons must be present for a valid meeting: the chair and the secretary. They cannot be the same person, and state law often specifies this as well. The clerk or secretary keeps the…

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Interrupting is not allowed at meetings

By Ann Macfarlane / September 7, 2018 / Comments Off on Interrupting is not allowed at meetings
Woman with long brown hair making a time-out gesture with her hands, as if interrupting a conversation, standing in front of a vibrant green background.

Interrupting is one of the most common conversational gambits in our American society. It is not allowed at meetings run according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

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When should you interrupt a speaker?

By Ann Macfarlane / April 26, 2018 / Comments Off on When should you interrupt a speaker?
A wooden gavel rests atop its matching sound block, symbolizing law and justice, swiftly silencing any inappropriate remarks in the courtroom.

We see so many instances of rude behavior in public life today that it is not easy to keep our bearings about civility. Polite people who have been well brought up sometimes feel stymied when public discourse disintegrates. 

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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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