Jim Slaughter's Blog: Robert's Rules & Parliamentary Procedure

It’s Time to Reconsider the Motion “to Reconsider Everything”

If you haven’t been involved with the National Education Association (NEA) or a state affiliate, the title of this article might seem odd. But for decades, there’s been a practice where delegates at the national Representative Assembly or state conventions move to “reconsider all new business items” or “reconsider all items voted on until now.” This motion doesn’t actually intend to reopen every past decision. Instead, it takes advantage of a feature of the motion to Reconsider in Robert’s Rules of Order (12th Edition). That motion allows an assembly to revisit a single motion if someone believes a mistake was … Continue reading →

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Jonathon Woodruff Named Partner at Law Firm Carolinas

Jonathon Woodruff has been named a partner at Law Firm Carolinas, which has five offices in North and South Carolina. A graduate of North Carolina Central University and Campbell University School of Law, Jonathon has experience in both civil and criminal law. He now focuses on representing community associations (HOAs and condominium associations) and supervises the firm’s association assessment collections practice. Congratulations, Jonathon!

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Ranked Choice Voting & Robert’s Rules of Order

Ranked-choice voting (RCV) is getting a lot of attention lately. One reason is that it helps avoid expensive runoff elections that often have low turnout. Instead of holding another election weeks later, RCV lets voters rank candidates on a single ballot. Many voters feel this is fairer because the winner usually has support from more than just a small group of voters. Cities, counties, and even some states are now using RCV or considering it. Last month New York City used RCV in its Democratic mayoral primary. Voters were able to rank up to five candidates. If no one received … Continue reading →

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Board Codes of Conduct & The Consequence of Violations

We are frequently asked to assist with either drafting or interpreting codes of conduct for association boards. These requests tend to fall into two categories: creating a code of conduct for a board that does not have one, or advising in situations where a director is alleged to have violated an existing code. We have no objection to well-crafted codes of conduct. A thoughtfully written code of conduct can help set expectations and provides a common basis of appropriate behavior for board members. This is especially helpful for new directors or for individuals who have never served on a board … Continue reading →

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Know Before You Go to the Mic: Using Points and Requests Correctly

Each year, Carole Albright—also an attorney and Professional Registered Parliamentarian—and I attend numerous conventions, annual meetings, and representative assemblies. Lately, we’ve noticed two major changes in these gatherings: members are more engaged at these meetings than ever, and there seems to have been a generational shift in who’s attending. Since the pandemic, many seasoned delegates familiar with parliamentary procedure are no longer present. In their place are newer, often younger members—enthusiastic, but sometimes unfamiliar with the more meeting rules necessary in larger groups following Robert’s Rules of Order (or some version of “Sturgis” or the AIP Standard Code). This shift … Continue reading →

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Proper Use of “Friendly Amendments” During Meetings

At meetings conducted under parliamentary procedure, you may hear references to a “friendly amendment.” Despite how common the term has become, Robert’s Rules of Order barely addresses the concept—and did not mention “friendly amendments” at all until the 10th Edition, published in 2000. The current Robert’s describes a friendly amendment as “an amendment offered by someone who is in sympathy with the purposes of the main motion, in the belief that the amendment will either improve the statement or effect of the main motion, presumably to the satisfaction of its maker, or will increase the chances of the main motion’s … Continue reading →

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“Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track” Now Available on Audible!

If you enjoy audiobooks and spoken word content, you’ll be pleased to know that Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track is now available on Audible! Published by DK Penguin Random House, the Fast Track guide is your go-to resource for running efficient and effective meetings. Designed for both newcomers and seasoned leaders, it provides clear, practical insights into the most commonly used motions, simplified procedures for smaller boards, and strategies to keep meetings productive and on track. The book was an Amazon “Hot New Release” and is a Publisher’s Weekly “Editor’s Pick.” Audible, the largest audiobook producer and retailer in the U.S. … Continue reading →

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Podium, Lectern, Dais: What’s the Difference?

As Parliamentarians, my law partner Carole Albright and I often find ourselves on stage assisting with the organization and procedure of meetings. In that setting, we frequently hear people use the terms podium, lectern, and dais interchangeably. In reality, they refer to distinct objects with specific purposes. While these are not exclusively parliamentary terms, understanding their proper usage helps maintain clarity. I once heard association staff ask the AV professionals to bring in a “podium” when a “lectern” was needed. Using the correct terms can both prevent confusion as well as show professionalism. Let’s break down the differences between the … Continue reading →

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The Importance of a Tellers’ Report in Documenting Votes Under Robert’s Rules of Order

Most managers, board member and attorneys in the community association industry have found themselves dealing with a hotly contested vote or election. Sometimes the end of voting is just the start of further challenges, with bickering over who voted, how they voted, and who really won. An effective way to document and report on voting outcomes is through a tellers’ report. If you don’t regularly peruse your copy of Robert’s Rules, you may not know what this is, so this blog will tell you what a tellers’ report is, how to prepare one, and what it can do for your … Continue reading →

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Do Committee Recommendations Require a Second?

Recently, I’ve been tackling some common procedural myths—those phrases and practices you often encounter in meetings but aren’t necessarily accurate. If you’d like to explore some recent examples, check out these posts: One phrase frequently heard in meetings, particularly board meetings, is: “Because the motion is from a committee, it doesn’t need a second.” But is this actually true? Let’s unpack it. Setting the Record StraightFirst, let’s address the stakes: Regardless of your approach, the parliamentary police won’t show up at your meeting. That said, a presiding officer demonstrates leadership by using proper parliamentary phrasing, which helps maintain professionalism and … Continue reading →

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