The Consent Calendar A recent trend, particularly among governmental bodies and REALTOR® organizations, is to include a category of business on the agenda known as the Consent Calendar or Consent Agenda (or sometimes called a Unanimous Consent Agenda). The purpose of this category, which is often near the beginning of the meeting, is to handle all noncontroversial items at one time. For instance, a Consent Calendar heading might be placed in the order of business near the beginning of the meeting and include on it the approval of the minutes. Other routine, administrative matters that are approved at each meeting … Continue reading
Category Archives: Parliamentary Law
Why Are Our HOA/Condo Bylaws So Bad?
The HOA/condo attorneys at Law Firm Carolinas are regularly asked to create or to amend association bylaws. On any given day, different attorneys are working on edits or even complete rewrites of association bylaws. Before getting into why that is so often necessary, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page. Here are the governing documents most all associations have (or need to have): With that background as to the different documents, let’s focus again on why bylaws so often don’t seem well crafted for a community association. The primary reason we are so often asked to assist with … Continue reading
Why Wait till After the Meeting to Write Meeting Minutes?
Whether following Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised or standard parliamentary practices, meeting minutes tend to be fairly short. That’s because minutes are not supposed to be a record of what members SAID at a meeting, but what was done. (See A Minute on Meeting Minutes or this Minutes Outline) But if compiling the minutes after a meeting is still bothersome, there are ways to move much of the effort to before the meeting. (If you wonder how you can describe what happened at the meeting PRIOR to the meeting, stay with me.) Meeting Minutes Template Minutes are fairly formulaic. … Continue reading
There Is No “Next Order of Business”
The humorist Will Rogers once said “It isn’t what we don’t know that gives us trouble, it’s what we know that ain’t so.” I’ve shared several recent articles (Why the Chair Never Asks for Old Business and Banish the Phrase “I So Move” from Meetings) on what meeting attendees are certain SHOULD be done, but “it just ain’t so.” One phrase you often hear in meetings is the chair making reference to the “next order of business,” as in “The next order of business is . . . .” As suggested by the name, the “order of business” is the … Continue reading
Banish the Phrase “I So Move” from Meetings
A prior article examined Why the Chair Never Asks for Old Business. Let’s take a look at another phrase that’s used too often in meetings when it should be avoided–“I so move.” Sometimes at a board or membership meeting following the remarks of a member or a committee report, the speaker or another member will say “So moved!” or “I so move.” For only 2 or 3 words, few phrases can lead a business meeting into more confusion and trouble. For organizations that follow Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition), the phrase “I so move” only appears once. And that’s in … Continue reading
CAI’s Common Ground Article on Jim Slaughter
The most recent Common Ground from the Community Associations Institute includes an interview with Law Firm Carolinas’ partner Jim Slaughter following his Don Buck Award recognition. The article includes Jim’s thoughts on proposed HOA/condo legislation, what Board members and owners often forget about community associations, and the need for Board members and homeowners who appreciate their associations to better communicate that message. The one-page article can be found at https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?m=20613&i=819074&p=62&ver=html5.
Who Was Robert and Why Do his Rules Rule?
Originally appeared as Who Was Robert and Why Do his Rules Rule? from the May 23, 2023 Presbyterian Outlook. As an attorney and professional parliamentarian, I’m sometimes asked, “Who was Robert and why do his rules rule?” It’s a timely question. Henry Martyn Robert, the original author of Robert’ Rule of Order, died 100 years ago on May 11, 1923. Since that time, versions of his parliamentary manual have come to dominate meetings. While other parliamentary manuals are available, Robert’s Rules of Order is the 800-pound gorilla of the parliamentary world. It is the most popular and easiest-to-locate book on meeting procedure. Most … Continue reading
Jim Slaughter Receives Lifetime Contribution Award for Association Work
Law Firm Carolinas’ partner Jim Slaughter received the Don Buck Lifetime Contribution Award at the recent 2024 Community Association Law Seminar in Las Vegas. The award recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the community association industry. Jim is a past President of the national College of Community Association Lawyers as well as the North Carolina Chapter of the Community Associations Institute. He has written four books on association meeting procedure, including the recent Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track. Here’s a recent announcement from the Community Associations Institute on the Award. Jim Slaughter presented with the Don Buck … Continue reading
Why the Chair Never Asks “Is There Any Old Business?” (HINT: Because There’s No Such Thing)
At some point in some board meeting, you’re like to hear a presiding officer ask, “Is there any Old Business?” and wait for a reply. It’s intended as an opportunity for members to raise issue that were addressed at an earlier meeting. The problem with this question is twofold: THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS “OLD BUSINESS“ Whether your parliamentary authority is Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition) or some other parliamentary manual, there’s no category of business named “Old Business.” The proper term for business that carries over from the prior meeting is “Unfinished Business.” The difference is … Continue reading
Taylor Swift and Robert’s Rules?
What do Taylor Swift and Robert’s Rules of Order have in common? Likely not much. However, both were highlighted in the “Top Ten 2023 Outlook Stories” from The Presbyterian Outlook, the magazine of the Presbyterian Church (USA). “What Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Taught Me about Church” made the list. So did “Who Was Robert and Why Do His Rules Rule?” If you’re curious, the list and full articles can be found at Top 10 Outlook Stories of 2023. Want to learn more about Robert’s Rules of Order and proper meeting procedure? Then check out my two most recent books! Both … Continue reading
New Release: AIP Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure, SECOND Edition
If your organization follows The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure (often referred to as “Sturgis”), or the AIP Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure, or you simply want to learn more about parliamentary practices at meetings, there’s a new book to check out: the American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure, Second Edition. Stay with me here for some necessary background– Originally by Alice Sturgis, The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure was first released in 1950 as a simpler alternative to the Robert’s Rules of Order of its time. The Standard Code had fewer motions, updated archaic terms, modernized … Continue reading
5 Law Firm Carolinas Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America
Five attorneys at Law Firm Carolinas have been named to the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Carole Albright, who is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, has been recognized in the practice of Family Law. Keith Black, who is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, has been recognized in the practices of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Steven Black, who is a Board Certified Specialist in Residential Real Estate, has been recognized in the practice of Real Estate Law and Community Association (HOA and condo) Law. Jim Slaughter has been recognized in the practices … Continue reading
Parliamentarian Pro Tips: Assisting Large Meetings
UPDATE: This article received the 2024 President’s Writing Award from the American Institute of Parliamentarians. Large annual meetings and conventions create special demands on the parliamentarian. For example, numerous business items may move very quickly with lightning speed. The large audience and attendees milling about make it difficult to see who wishes to be recognized to speak. Votes by voice or even standing can be hard to judge, and the organization may not have electronic voting capabilities. Larger crowds gathered in one place create problems that are not present in smaller board or membership meetings. (See Board Procedures Versus a … Continue reading
Can Boards Make Decisions By Email?
Recently, a question came up on a national nonprofit list serve about whether boards can and/or should make decisions through unanimous consent by email. Here was my response. “Since this is a national question and I’m only licensed in North Carolina, what follows is not specific legal advice. Instead, let me provide a general discussion based on my many years of assisting boards as a parliamentarian and attorney. Most states have adopted some version of the model Nonprofit Corporation Act from the American Bar Association. The most recent is the Fourth Edition, but few states have moved to that. Membership … Continue reading
Meister, Slaughter & Marshall Recognized
Law Firm Carolinas Partner Adam Marshall was a presenter at the Community Association Institute’s (CAI) 2023 Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas. The conference was attended by over 2,600 community managers, homeowner board members, leaders and business partners from 44 states and 10 countries. Marshall and Augustus Shaw, IV, Esq. of Arizona, presented on “Navigating Board Officer Responsibilities and Avoiding Conflict.” Marshall was also recently appointed by the Greensboro City Council to the Greensboro ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) Board. Marshall has previously served on the Greensboro Human Relations Commission and Greensboro Board of Adjustment as well as Chair of the Greensboro Zoning Commission and … Continue reading
NC Bar Journal Article on Meeting Procedure & Robert’s Rules of Order
In case it’s of interest, the article “Robert’s Rules of Order: An Interview” appears in the most recent NC State Bar Journal (Spring 2023). The article, by Executive Director Alice Neece Mine, covers what lawyers should know about meeting procedure, why Robert’s is still relevant today, changes in the new Robert’s, virtual and hybrid meeting procedures, common mistakes about meeting procedure, tips for keeping meetings short and productive, and more. As a reminder, both the NC Planned Community Act and NC Condominium Act require that unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, association and board meetings must “be conducted in accordance … Continue reading
Comparing Robert’s Rules of Order Original Versus Current Editions
Today (February 19) is the 147th anniversary of the publication of the first edition of Robert’s Rules of Order by S. C. Griggs and Company in Chicago. This photograph compares the original edition with the most recent Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th Edition). A few differences between the original and current:
Parliamentary Lawyers Program – RECORDING
Due to the strong interest in last week’s “Author Chat,” the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers has made the recorded program available online. The free program includes a discussion of my latest books, changes in the new Robert’s Rules of Order, different parliamentary manuals (and why they are important), parliamentarians, some parliamentary history, and more. The program can be found at:ACPL Author Chat with Jim Slaughter A copy of the original announcement follows. ACPL Educational Webinar – “Author Chat with Attorney & Parliamentarian Jim Slaughter” The American College of Parliamentary Lawyers is hosting our first free educational webinar for any … Continue reading
Parliamentary Authorities: Robert’s Rules of Order vs Sturgis vs The AIP Standard Code
In my work as an attorney, Professional Registered Parliamentarian, and Certified Professional Parliamentarian-Teacher, I work with quite a few different parliamentary manuals. That’s because different organizations use different books as their procedural guide for membership and board meetings. I’m often asked about differences, so here’s a guide to the three parliamentary books most likely to be encountered. (If more information is needed, my Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules, Fifth Edition goes into greater detail as well as compares specific practices between the books.) A “parliamentary authority” is a book on meeting procedure an organization follows because of a state … Continue reading
Reviews Are in for New Parliamentary Procedure Books!
The reviewing side of Publisher’s Weekly recently posted great reviews of my latest books, Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track and Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules, Fifth Edition. Each was also selected as an “Editor’s Pick,” which is described as “a book of outstanding quality.” Because the reviews are on a scrolling site (with latest reviews on top), the reviews are reprinted below. Read these and other reviews at Latest Reviews. Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track: The Brief and Easy Guide to Parliamentary Procedure for the Modern Meeting Crisp, clear, and always on-point, Slaughter’s “fast track” guide to … Continue reading