Nonprofits Can Get Expert Advice on Robert's Rules

Jan. 2, 2012 - PRLog -- Not-for-profit organizations now have a new source of expert advice available to them regarding proper democratic processes within their meetings.

Robert's Rules Consulting is a company which provides expert advice regarding correct parliamentary procedure, also known as "Robert's Rules of Order." Parliamentary procedure is the set of principles and practices which govern membership-based organizations where decisions are made using "majority vote" on "motions."

Mr. Kim Goldsworthy, the founder of the company, said that he anticipates that most clients will contact the company for the purpose of hiring a Professional Registered Parliamentarian or Certified Parliamentarian for a convention or a board meeting.

Goldsworthy said that often the reason an organization seeks out a parliamentarian is when:
(a.) their meetings are getting bogged down, with a loss of productivity;
(b.) their meetings become too loud and contentious, with a loss of civil decorum.

The presence of a parliamentarian can help alleviate some problems via the parliamentarian providing alternative methods and alternative solutions to the chair, to get the meeting back on track.

Goldsworthy adds that one service growing in popularity is to have an independent neutral party, like a professional parliamentarian, be hired to act as the presiding officer, and thus relieve a president of this duty.

Other popular services a parliamentarian can provide include the following:
(a.) reviewing and critiquing of one's bylaws.
(b.) teaching the principles and best practices of parliamentary law.
(c.) training in chairmanship, especially the proper handling of motions, and proper handling of interruptions, like a "point of order."
(d.) devising strategy and tactics to obtain the passage or defeat of a motion.

Parliamentarians also provide confidential consultations via telephone and e-mail for simple questions or general questions.

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Parliamentarian available for confidential consultation. Certified Parliamentarian will advise boards, councils, committees, conventions, etc., about proper democratic processes, using Robert's Rules of Order, and parliamentary procedure.