public comment

Don’t include detailed public comment in meeting minutes

By Ann Macfarlane / March 21, 2018 /
A document titled "Meeting Minutes" lies on a table with a pair of glasses and a fountain pen placed on top, hinting at important local government discussions.

When city councils, school boards or other public bodies hold their meetings, it is usual to reserve a time in the meeting for members of the public to speak to their elected officials. One common name for this is the public comment period. We recommend that detailed public comment should not be included in the…

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Don’t get into back-and-forth exchanges during public comment

By Ann Macfarlane / March 6, 2018 /
A handheld silver and black microphone is mounted on a black microphone stand against a white background, ready to provide language tips.

When city councils, school boards or other public bodies hold their meetings, it is usual to reserve a time in the meeting for members of the public to speak to their elected officials. One common name for this is the public comment period. We strongly recommend that elected officials should not get into back-and-forth exchanges…

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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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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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Who may raise a point of order at council meetings?

By Ann Macfarlane / April 17, 2015 /
A red stop sign with two lights is attached to the side of a yellow vehicle, next to the text "NO," serving as a clear point of order for passing drivers.

Over the years of working with parliamentary procedure I’ve found that there is a lot of confusion about the motion “point of order.” In essence, when a person says “point of order” he is making a claim that there has been some procedural mistake. In his view, something has been done incorrectly, and it ought…

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