Professional Parliamentarian Services

Parliamentarians assist in drafting and interpreting bylaws specific to the needs of the organization.

Drafting and Interpreting Bylaws

Bylaws establish how an organization operates, outlining its structure, governance, and the roles of members. They must comply with local, state, or national laws, and often include unique rules that cannot be suspended. When an organization adopts a parliamentary authority, like the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, it can rely on many standard procedures instead of recreating them in its bylaws. However, the group may need to adjust or add specific rules from the parliamentary authority that better suit its needs, especially those it doesn’t want to suspend. Parliamentarians play a key role in helping organizations draft and interpret bylaws tailored to their requirements.

Drafting and Interpreting Special Rules of Order

Organizations may create special rules that override general parliamentary law or adopted authorities. Such rules can set meeting agendas, limit debate time or speeches, or allow less formal procedures for small groups. Parliamentarians help draft and interpret these customized rules.

Parliamentary Strategy

A parliamentarian provides guidance on the fair and ethical application of procedural rules, ensuring they are used to optimal effect. Understanding the appropriate motion to introduce at challenging moments during a meeting can significantly impact the outcome. Engaging a parliamentary strategist as part of your preparation can offer considerable value, supporting both pre-meeting planning and effective use of rules throughout the proceedings.

Parliamentarian for Meetings and Conventions

The process of organizing and coordinating a meeting or convention typically commences several weeks or months prior to the event. This undertaking involves the collaboration of multiple committees operating under the general supervision of the association’s officers and board. Parliamentarians are frequently called upon to assist organizations with strategic planning for meetings and conventions.

While the parliamentarian is responsible for providing parliamentary guidance during conventions and member meetings, their most significant contributions often occur during the preparatory phase. Prior to and throughout the convention, the parliamentarian should act as the principal advisor to the president, officers, and committee chairs on matters related to the effective management and conduct of business.

Additionally, the parliamentarian plays an important role in drafting meeting scripts for the chair, collaborating with various committee chairs, and developing procedures for handling motions, bylaws, and rule amendments.

Scripting for the Presiding Officer and Assembly

A meeting script is an essential resource for anyone leading a large gathering. It boosts the confidence of the presiding officer by outlining proper procedures and serves as a guide to ensure clear communication throughout the meeting. Scripts are also useful for other participants like secretaries, technical support staff who manage visual displays, and timekeepers. For a meeting to run smoothly and stay organized, scripting is crucial; it sets out the dialogue, lists discussion topics, explains how motions should be managed, assigns leaders to specific agenda items, designates time limits, and clarifies expected results.

Parliamentarians are skilled at creating meeting scripts and drafting resolutions to help leaders conduct meetings efficiently. Their expertise minimizes conflict and confusion, ensuring the meeting proceeds effectively.

Serving as Parliamentarian at Meetings

The parliamentarian serves as an advisor to the chair, providing expert guidance in the conduct of meetings. Seated beside the chair, the parliamentarian offers discreet advice and support throughout proceedings. When a question arises or procedural uncertainty occurs, it is appropriate for the chair to seek the parliamentarian’s counsel to ensure proper decision-making.

Parliamentary Opinions

A parliamentary opinion is typically a well-researched interpretation of a complex parliamentary issue or the rules outlined in an assembly’s governing documents or special rules of order. Parliamentarians are frequently consulted with questions like, “Based on our current bylaws and rules, how do we move forward with this, or what steps should be taken to amend a motion?” Instead of making decisions that might later be seen as unwise, it’s considered best practice to consult a parliamentarian to review the situation. The parliamentarian examines the organization’s governing documents and provides guidance on how to proceed according to the established rules.

Professional Presiding Officer

The presiding officer of a deliberative assembly is tasked with ensuring that business is conducted efficiently and in the correct order, maintaining adherence to debate rules, keeping order and decorum, and enforcing the assembly’s rules with minimal conflict. Hiring a professional parliamentarian to officiate meetings offers several benefits. As a presiding officer, the professional parliamentarian brings expertise in parliamentary procedure, applies these rules effectively for the assembly’s benefit, and remains completely impartial. Members are also more likely to trust such an officer when the group faces contentious issues. This setup enables the organization’s president or chair to participate fully in debates and vote during meetings.

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dave@davebennettconsulting.com
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