Robert's Rules Simplified

by Arthur T. Lewis, Henry M. Robert

Who has the floor, and how do you make a motion? What keeps a meeting from collapsing into chaos? This bible of parliamentary procedures transforms complex rules of conduct into easy-to-understand basics. Anyone participating in club or civic meetings, seminars, or teleconferences will consult this invaluable guide time and time again.
"Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty," declared General Henry M. Robert. His 1896 book, Robert's Rules of Order, provided the remedy, with guidelines for orderly, smooth, and fairly conducted meetings. This edition of the famous rules began as a series of eighteen articles that appeared in The Christian Science Monitor. It makes parliamentary procedures easier to understand by explaining the reasons behind them, boiling them down to a few memorable fundamentals that form the basis for a sound and practical working knowledge. Topics include by-laws, the right and wrong ways to postpone action, how to amend and substitute, delegating duties, keeping on track, taking a vote, uses and duties of committees, and much more. Numerous examples and a user-friendly format make this volume ideal for clear and quick reference.

Genres: Nonfiction

80 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent primer on by-laws, agendas, motions, amendments, and discussions. Who knew that motions could get so messy? This book discusses them all - be prepared.

QUOTABLE: “Parliamentary knowledge, like any other knowledge, is best used when made to serve the best interest of the group. It becomes objectionable when flaunted at every opportunity.“

[Cool · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is how governments conduct meetings and sometimes other organizations like HOAs. The first few chapters were helpful but then it got into the weeds. Too many people don't understand parliamentary procedure so trying to use it when the organization does not is futile.

[Fred Fanning · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone new to parliamentary actions. The book is easy to read and can be kept as a reference. The book also has useful charts.

[Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in preparation for a class I was taking on Robert's Rules. It was a quick read and a decent entry point to the "logic" of Robert's Rules.

[Jim Slaughter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Robert's Rules Simplified is interesting historically, but it's not Robert's Rules of Order and not based on the current Robert's Rules of Order.

This book, published in 2006, is a reprint of Parliamentary Rules Simplified by Arthur Lewis from 1937, which was based on the 1915 Robert's Rules of Order Revised. Robert's is regularly updated, and there have been many editions since the 1915 version. Each new edition brings changes to procedure (the latest has 120, with both new practices and names of motions). If you're supposed to follow the "most recent edition" of Robert's, Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th edition published in 2011 is your book.

While some readers find the current manual (at 716 pages) too daunting and complex, there are excellent guides to Robert's. I'm partial to two: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Parliamentary Procedure Fast-Track and Notes and Comments on Robert's Rules.

[Mark Woodland · Rating 2 out of 5]

The funny thing is, I can't stand people who are strict "Rules of Order" adherents, since they tend to reduce a meeting to a bureaucratic pace and sometimes less gets done. Nonetheless, few people should NOT read this book and be familiar with the basic rules of group meetings. Outside of the pettifogging, you'll learn a lot about proper etiquette and how to respect the rights of others in the group.

[Jef · Rating 4 out of 5]

simplifies and makes many parliamentary points clearer. an excellent small volume. review based on earlier version of this book - "parliamentary rules simplified."

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, but most of it was way over what my little club of six will probably ever use.