What's a Parliamentarian?

Pat and I learned the answer on Saturday, 18 March 2006. We attended a half-day workshop that was part of the "New Mexico State Association of Parliamentarians" conference. Parliamentarians work in a gray area between law and ethics. They focus on how to get things done in meetings, and how to recognize whether they are done, or aren't likely to reach closure, and what to do then.

Do you have a copy of Robert's Rules of Order? I have three of them, all of which turn out to be photo-offset copies of General Henry M. Robert's 1907 edition, 218 pages in all. These folks now use the 10th Edition, which appears to be at least 600 pages, available in either a paperback or spiral-bound version.

Those who may need some of this information, but do not wish to make a career of it will be relieved to know(?) that there are now: 1. "Complete Idiot's Guide to Robert's Rules," 2. "Robert's Rules of Order in Brief," and 3. a set of 7 plastic reference cards for common meeting activities.

Good practices for treasurers is a part of parliamentary procedures, as described in this session.

Contacts
National Association of Parliamentarians
213 South Main Street
Independence, MO 64060-3850
Phone: 888-627-2929
FAX: 816-833-3893
Web: http://www.parliamentarians.org/

New Mexico State Association of Parliamentarians
Betsy McUne, PRP 9629 del Fuego Circle NE,
Albuquerque, NM 87113-2322 505-897-2874