For organizations that follow Robert’s Rule of Order—including nonprofit associations, unions, HOA and condo associations, houses of worship, and governmental bodies—the new Twelfth Edition, published is 2020, is your manual. However, at 714 pages, Robert’s can be intimating and confusing. Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules, Fifth Edition, makes Robert’s Rules of Order accessible and an easy-to-use tool.
In this authoritative guide, you’ll find questions and answers covering the most misused and asked-about provisions of Robert’s, including those that apply to larger membership meetings. Other key features include:
✓ Updated page and paragraph references to the latest Robert’s.
✓ Extensive discussion of electronic/virtual/hybrid meetings.
✓ Practical advice from decades of professional experience working with meetings ranging from small boards to conventions with 10,000 delegates.
✓ Discussions of why certain provisions are included in Robert’s.
✓ A comparison of Robert’s with other commonly used parliamentary manuals.
✓ Extensive notes exploring parliamentary differences and history, for those who want to know more.
Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules has received the Phifer Award from the Commission on American Parliamentary Practice, an affiliate of the National Communication Association.
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Jim Slaughter is an attorney, Certified Professional Parliamentarian, Professional Registered Parliamentarian, and past President of the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers. He has served as parliamentarian to thousands of meetings, ranging from small homeowner and condominium association boards to the largest conventions and annual meetings in the world.
Jim Slaughter (Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track), with original author Jon Ericson, delivers the fifth edition of an intermediate commentary covering the most asked questions of the parliamentary procedure manual, Robert’s Rules of Order. Employing a Q&A format, Slaughter lays the foundation of several fundamental principles, including the order of precedence, the different types of motions as well as their function, and the amending process, eventually moving on to more auxiliary issues such as quorum, voting, and how to handle electronic meetings. The information, though dense, is thoughtfully structured and clearly organized, with full references to further resources as needed, alongside an index to enhance accessibility.Readers should come with a basic knowledge of Robert’s Rules already in place, as Slaughter recommends some introductory titles but clarifies that his work covers “the most-likely-to-be-experienced procedures” and the “why” behind parliamentary meeting methods. His history of parliamentary procedure, although brief, is helpful in setting the guide’s context, and he includes several charts for quick reference—as well as an exhaustive resource list that identifies organizations for further training and materials for more in-depth study. Slaughter’s clever use of humor enlivens the complex subject matter while still managing to deliver precise, straightforward explanations. Most importantly, he offers readers both sides of difficult scenarios, along with his wisdom and expertise, leaving them the necessary space to draw their own conclusions.
While intended as a commentary rather than a stand-alone volume, Notes and Comments will prove invaluable when combined with Robert’s Rules and other resources. Throughout, Slaughter recognizes the core goal of parliamentary procedure as balancing the rights of the individual in a meeting with the majority right for that meeting to be efficient and productive. Any readers already familiar with parliamentary procedure will find this a helpful guide to sharpen their skills.
Takeaway: An expert guide addressing the most commonly faced issues from Robert’s Rules of Order.
Great for fans of: Robert's Rules of Order in Action by Randi Minetor; The Guerrilla Guide to Robert's Rules by Nancy Sylvester.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: NA
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
