Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance: Group Leadership Manual for Chairmanship and Floor Leadership

Rating:
Summary: Lightning fast lookup for Robert's Rules
Review: There are two kinds of reference books, the kind that has a complete discussion on every question you can think of on a particular subject, and the kind in which you can actually find what you're looking for right now.

This work is one of the latter. It is no substitute for Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, the truly definitive work on the subject, which belongs in the library of every PTA president, budding politician, or C-SPAN junkie. But once you've done your homework and understand the principles of parliamentary procedure, it is Garfield Jones' book, not Henry Robert's, that you bring with you to every meeting (or wish you had.)

Thin enough (just 90 pages) to get lost under your agenda, the book is uniquely suited to be used, in real time, in the meeting, in the trenches.

It is one of the most cleverly designed tools I've seen, planned from the ground up, or rather from the middle out, to live up to its "at-a-glance" title. Open it to the center staple, and you'll be looking at the index--two short (literally half height) pages. Above them stand two ranks of staggered-length pages that serve as a table of the various motions, and their order of precedence from the normal order of business, main motions, up through amendment, referring to committee, calling the question, tabling, points of order, adjournment--all visible at once.

The cut pages serve as index tabs, so you can instantly flip to the reference page for that motion. (When you do, motions of lower rank, now out of order, are hidden, while those of higher rank remain visible above.)

A glance at the reference page shows a table of rules pertaining to that particular motion: does it require a second, allow for debate, need a simple majority to pass, or a two-thirds vote?

Then, most useful for the member (or presiding officer) still learning the ropes, is a complete sample dialog of the proper form for making the motion, stating the question, putting to a vote, and announcing the result.

Example: "The 'Noes' have it, and the amendment to the amendment is lost. Is there any further discussion on the original amendment?"

The remaining pages in front and back of the book contain lesser-used but highly valuable material on general parliamentary principles, the strategic uses of some motions (not just how to make them, but when and why), and how-to sections on chairing a meeting, taking minutes, holding nominations and elections, and ballot counting. If it's not applicable, useful, and practical, it's not in there. But if you need it, there's a good chance that you'll find it, and quickly enough to do you some good.

There is one minor error and one intentional rule-bending, both in regard to the Motion to Reconsider, but that's one of the most rarified points of procedure. It occurs on the final exam in Parliamentarian School, but not in real life on this or any nearby planet. If you really need to know it in any detail, you'll need to open two things: your full copy of Robert's Rules and the cork of a fortifying beverage.

Three word review: A real find.

Rating:
Summary: A great reference manual
Review: This is a great reference manual for Robert's Rules of Order. It can be used as a referesher for someone who knows the rules, or as reference for a chairman or committee member needing information on an obscure or rarely used rule. This might not be the best book for someone with no experience at all with Parlimentary procedure though

Rating:
Summary: A Valuable Handy Reference for EVERYBOY in GROUP LEADERSHIP
Review: This is an easy-to-use, unique, simplified, commonsense approach to rules for group leadership. It is based on the famous Robert's "Rules of Order."

I would recommend this handy pamphlet be kept close by, for all leaders and officers in small-to-medium sized clubs, fraternal orders, conventions, conferences, meetings, and organizations where orderly progress of business is desired. The beauty is, you don't have to memorize any rules, if you have this reference "at a glance".

This great booklet features the 22-page insert of tabulated easy reference called the "split-page" Finder Index for in-meeting use to locate specific situations.

Especially helpful are the easy-reference question-and-answer charts, which answer the eight basic aspects of every "motion".

I never go into a meeting, anymore, without this valuable handy reference in the briefcase or on the desk! Worth its weight in gold in avoiding surprise or challenging situations!

Rating:
Summary: This is the one
Review: This is the one you want if you are a novice at parliamentary procedure. After experiencing several unruly church conferences I began looking for an easy to use book, this is it. The center of the book indexes all the basic procedures you will need. I compliment the author in making it easy to use and not making the reader drowsy.