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Why do
the words “Parliamentary Procedure” strike fear
into the hearts of so many people? I think it is because we
are all so worried about doing things “perfectly.”
But Roberts Rules (the parliamentary bible) was not written
to make sure you run a “perfect” meeting. It was
written to help you run an effective and efficient meeting,
where everyone is treated equally and fairly. I took a class
in parliamentary procedure where the instructor told us that
the goal of the meeting should be that everyone does not leave
the meeting happy with the outcome – but happy with
the process.
What are
the rules governing your PTA?
-
State
and Federal non-profit laws
-
Bylaws
– these are the rules which govern all the PTAs
in Oregon, changes to the bylaws are voted on by the delegates
at Oregon PTA convention each year
- Standing
Rules – these are the rules which govern your particular
PTA (when you will meet, quorum, committees, officers, etc)
- Parliamentary
authority – according to our bylaws the parliamentary
authority for PTAs are Roberts Rules, Newly Revised
We assist
you with state and federal non-profit laws by provided resource
materials and workshops at convention and leadership camps.
Your bylaws are in the back of your officers’ manual
and a sample standing rules can also be found in your manual.
Every
year at convention we offer at least one class dealing with
parliamentary procedure. In the meantime, the best thing you
can do to understand parliamentary procedure is to get a copy
of Roberts Rules – this is a resource every PTA should
have. Buy one and take it out of your budget line item for
office materials or publications or perhaps even president’s
discretionary fund.
Other
great resources are offered at the National Association of
Parliamentarians web site, www.parliamentarians.org. I particularly
like their plastic parliamentary reference cards. These can
go right in your president’s book and so be right there
to help you at every meeting.
If you
have questions please call or email Beth Nead, Oregon PTA
President, or Anita Olsen, Oregon PTA President-elect.
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