Book Review: Robert's Rules in Plain English.TITLE: Robert's Rules in Plain English Plain English (sometimes known, more broadly, as plain language) is a communication style that focuses on considering the audience's needs when writing. It recommends avoiding unnecessary words and avoiding jargon, technical terms, and long and ambiguous sentences. ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m : 0-06-273476-8 PUBLISHER: HarperCollins PUBLICATION DATE: 1997 LENGTH: 124 pages PRICE: $5.95 SOURCE: Any bookstore Successful meetings don't just happen. Good planning and a basic knowledge of parliamentary procedure parliamentary procedure or rules of order Generally accepted rules, precedents, and practices used in the governance of deliberative assemblies. They are intended to maintain decorum, ascertain the will of the majority, preserve the rights of the minority, are vital ingredients to ensuring that organizations and their members accomplish their goals. Just the words "parliamentary procedure," however, are enough to scare off Verb 1. scare off - cause to lose courage; "dashed by the refusal" daunt, frighten away, frighten off, scare away, pall, scare, dash intimidate, restrain - to compel or deter by or as if by threats a meeting novice, but a book is available that makes Robert's Rules of Order Robert's Rules of Order: see parliamentary law; Robert, Henry Martyn. Robert’s Rules of Order manual of parliamentary procedure by General Robert. [Am. Hist.: Hart, 717] See : Orderliness understandable even to the timid layman LAYMAN, eccl. law. One who is not an ecclesiastic nor a clergyman. . Have you ever attended a meeting and left disgusted because * the meeting ran on and on and on ... * little was accomplished * the discussion became a free-for-all, with attacks on personalities rather than a focus on the issues at hand * the chair was ineffective, biased, or uninterested Parliamentary procedure was designed to correct these problems and to protect the rights of people to meet, debate, and take action in a fair manner while accomplishing common goals with the least amount of controversy. The first Robert's Rules of Order was published in 1876 by Henry Martyn Robert Noun 1. Henry Martyn Robert - United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923) Henry M. Robert, Robert as a small book of rules designed specifically for non-government organizations in ordinary society. Today, Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (November 2000) has grown to more than 700 pages replete with the detailed information and language used primarily by professional parliamentarians. What about the rest of us? Good news -- all is not lost. Robert's Rules in Plain English, by Doris P. Zimmerman, is a book of just over 100 pages presenting the most essential parliamentary rules in a condensed con·dense v. con·densed, con·dens·ing, con·dens·es v.tr. 1. To reduce the volume or compass of. 2. To make more concise; abridge or shorten. 3. Physics a. version with a minimum of parliamentary jargon. Using summaries, outlines, and charts, as well as simple examples of how the rules are to be applied, this handy volume provides all the necessary information to conduct -- or participate in -- a successful meeting. Divided into four sections, with a "Glossary of Parliamentary Terms" and reader-friendly index, this book is as easy to read as it is to use. Section I -- "Parliamentary Procedure" gives a quick overview of how parliamentary procedure began and covers how parliamentary procedure has evolved over the years to protect the right of the majority to decide, the right of the minority to be heard, the rights of individual members, and the rights of absentees. Section II -- "What Officers Need To Know" provides the framework needed to run a meeting effectively. The author likens the presiding officer Noun 1. presiding officer - the leader of a group meeting leader - a person who rules or guides or inspires others moderator - someone who presides over a forum or debate to a referee at a sports event who has the responsibility of enforcing the rules so that the organization can do its work in a fair, expedient, and impartial manner. Examples are again used to illustrate points, and both a sample agenda and a script for the presiding officer are provided. This section also has chapters outlining secretary and treasurer responsibilities and providing guides for writing minutes and a sample treasurer's report. Section III -- "Motions and Their Use" is the book's core section. In a simple, straightforward way and with easy-to-understand examples, the author reviews the various types of motions, their rank, and the types and methods of voting. Section IV -- "The Organization" will prove especially useful. The first chapter is on bylaws The rules and regulations enacted by an association or a corporation to provide a framework for its operation and management. Bylaws may specify the qualifications, rights, and liabilities of membership, and the powers, duties, and grounds for the dissolution of an , which stresses that the organization should define its primary objectives and describe how it will function. It suggests that good bylaws are clear, concise, well organized, consistent with legal requirements and not unduly restrictive. A "Suggested Form for Bylaws" gives the basic framework, and a section on "Changing Bylaws" shows the reader how to keep them up-to-date and relevant. A short chapter on "The Board of Directors" enumerates their responsibilities and illustrates how to conduct business effectively in a board meeting. Robert's Rules in Plain English is a gem that is well worth its modest $5.95 price tag. Small enough to fit in a pocket, it provides the basic rules needed to ensure that meetings are always on track and successfully achieve their desired purpose. Juanita Skillman CRM (Customer Relationship Management) An integrated information system that is used to plan, schedule and control the presales and postsales activities in an organization. , FAI, is Director of Solution Consulting with Accutrac Software Inc. She can be contacted at Jskillman@accutrac.com |
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