The AGENDA
APRIL 2008
VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2
PRESIDENT
Alice Bartelt, RP
alicebartelt@comcast.net
EDITOR
Jean Baker
mjeanbaker@peoplepc.com
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT . . .
Thank you for your confidence in having me serve as your OAP President. I know that it will be a challenge and I am looking forward to what lies ahead.
I am excited that we have been gaining new members and that there are a number of prospective members attending our units. As our members grow older, it is imperative that we continue to recruit new folks. If we do not, the organization will slowly fade away.
In an effort to gain even more members, I am hoping that we can provide training to some groups that could use our expertise. If any of you have ideas about any groups that would benefit from a workshop, or even a day of training, please let Vice President Teresa Stone know. You may contact her at rnstone@verizon.net.
During my term, I hope to visit all of our units. I had the pleasure of attending the Tualatin Valley Unit several weeks ago. Two prospective members, who also attended the OAP convention, are beginning to study for the membership examination. The unit is assisting that effort by using the study questions for their program.
The Mt. Hood Unit also has two prospective members. One of those prospective members also attended the OAP convention.
The National Training Conference will be held September 12 through 14, 2008. Virginia Beach, Virginia will host the event. This is a wonderful opportunity for training and to meet and hear from many NAP members. You may find more specific information at http://parliamentarians.org/eventdetail.php?eventid=262. This will also be an opportunity to visit a very historic area of the country. I hope to see some of you at the conference.
Have a wonder summer. I hope to see most of you in the fall.
OAP Officers and Committees
President Alice Bartelt 503-246-0496
Vice President Teresa Stone
Secretary Elaine Carlson
Treasurer Shirley Holmes
Parliamentarian Patricia Getchell
Standing Committee Chairs
Budget/Finance Tom Corr
Bylaws/Procedure Manual Peggy Long
Convention Lauretta Slaughter
Education Teresa Stone
Membership/Extension Teresa Stone
Publicity Nancy Chapin
State Publication Jean Baker
Yearbook Martha Boesen
Nominating Committee Lauretta Slaughter, Patricia Getchell, Elaine Carlson
UNIT REPORTS
OREGON REGISTERED UNIT
No report
MT. HOOD UNIT
The Mt Hood unit programs have centered around games, the Jeopardy-like computer games introduced at the conference, Teresa Stone’s
”Make the Connection” and Nancy Chapin’s program “Rules of the Game” from the 2005 NAP Education Committee. The games continue into May.
The June meeting is a purely social evening. With no installation scheduled, the group will meet for dinner and conversation.
The Mt. Hood unit meets the second Thursday of every month through June at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 120 SW Towle Street, Gresham, starting at 7:30 pm.
ROSE CITY UNIT
At the 2008 OAP Convention, Mr. Stinson’s use of the script became a stellar reminder of its importance as a teaching tool. One week later, some Participants at the Rose City Unit meeting received a second dose of the script technique. Addressing the motion to Appeal for the Decision of the Chair, the presenter used the “Mini Lesson in Parliamentary Procedure” prepared by NAP. In discussion, a member pointed how much clearer the use and significance of an appeal became as we worked through the topics as well as the script.
The Rose City needs to develop a strategy to interest other individuals in the study of parliamentary and membership in the National Association of Parliamentarians. During the summer months, let us exercise our imaginations with thoughts of how to communicate the value of parliamentary procedure to unaware individuals and groups. With the correct tools, meetings can be pleasurable and productive. Let us demonstrate that the members of OAP can deliver those tools.
TUALATIN VALLEY
At the March 2008, meeting the Tualatin Valley (TV) Unit had the largest attendance in many years. Alice Bartelt,(RP) the newly elected president of the Oregon Association of Parliamentarians (OAP)was among the guests. Shirley Holmes, RP, who regularly attends TV Unit meetings and Alice Bartelt, offered excellence to the first lesson the two provincial members encountered in their preparation to pass the membership examination. After missing several meetings and undergoing a number of weeks of rehabilitation, Van Caris is again able to attend meetings.
As the end of the formal period of study draws to a close, the Unit announces that members will assist those who wish to continue the study process. Do not hesitate to contact Lauretta Slaughter at 503.648.2346 or Shirley Holmes at 503.644.1230.
EXCUSE ME????
Do you think you have the floor all to yourself when the Chair recognizes you to speak??? Well, think again………..
There are certain situations that require the transfer of the floor from you to someone else - and what are some of these “Deal Busters?”
A member could be recognized during your floor time for a “POINT OF ORDER,” if s/he believes that the rules during the meeting are not being followed. After the member states, “Point of Order,” the Chair recognizes this floor-taker and says, “Please state your Point of Order,” and the member then describes how s/he thinks the rules were broken. The Chair then rules the point well taken and fixes it, or rules the point not well taken and can explain why. What can happen right after a Point of Order can also steal the floor right out from under you - an “APPEAL” can be made. If a member disagrees with the ruling the Chair just made, s/he can state, “Appeal From the Decision of the Chair.” If it gets a second, the members can vote on whether they think the Chair’s ruling was, indeed, correct.
Another possible taker of your floor? If a member thinks some information is needed and it is important enough to be addressed right away (and interrupt you!), a “REQUEST” or “INQUIRY” can be made. Examples might be to ask the Chair to clarify a financial amount, or the time for an action.
What about a couple more floor absconders? One is a motion that must be stated right after a previous motion is made. This “second” motion is titled, “OBJECTION TO THE CONSIDERATION OF A QUESTION.” The reason for urgency with this motion is it must be stated before discussion/debate begins on that previous motion. Literally a vote is taken on whether that first motion will even be “considered,” that is, discussed and voted on.
A “QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE” can make your sole possession of the floor come to a screeching halt. Such a question must be so urgent that if it isn’t stated it could mean the effectiveness of the meeting and its productivity would be diminished. Gaining the attention of the Chair by way of a Question of Privilege, could be to ask him/her to use the microphone, or to ask the Chair to inform the members that their table conversations are making it difficult to hear the discussion.
These are not all of the “Deal Busters,” which, by the way are more correctly called “MOTIONS THAT CAN INTERRUPT,” but are some of the more common. So what to do when such a motion comes your way? Smile, sit down, or wait patiently to the side of the microphone and the Chair will “re-recognize” you!
Teresa Stone PRP
Do we go Electronic?
As the cost of paper, printing, and stamps continues to rise, the OAP Board is considering sending future issues of The Agenda by email to all those who can receive it. The majority of our members now have email addresses.
The August issue will be sent to the email addresses listed in the latest Roster and Bylaws. To continue receiving your copy by mail or to correct your email address, please notify the Editor, Jean Baker, at the address and phone listed on the front page.
The advantages are that it’s faster, less expensive, and comes in full color!
Proclamation
Parliamentary Law Month – April 2008
Whereas, It is appropriate to honor Thomas Jefferson, author of the first American manual of parliamentary practice in his birth month; and
Whereas; It is also fitting to honor Henry Martyn Robert, author of Pocket Manual of rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies, familiarly known as Robert’s rules of Order; and
Whereas. The current edition of Robert’s rules of Order Newly Revised (10th edition) is widely recognized as the leading parliamentary authority; and
Whereas, It is timely to reflect upon the importance of parliamentary procedure in the meetings of both public and private organizations; and
Whereas, It is important to remember that the correct use of parliamentary procedure protects the rights of the majority, the minority, individual members, absentees, and all of these together, all the while fostering orderly deliberation; and
Whereas, The National Association of Parliamentarians ® has, by adoption of a standing rule, authorized and requested the NAP President to designate April as Parliamentary Law Month; and
Whereas, NAP is a society dedicated to educating leaders throughout the world in effective meeting management through the use of parliamentary procedure; and
Whereas, the vision of NAP is to provide parliamentary leadership to the world: Now,
Therefore,
I, Connie M. Deford, President of the National Association of Parliamentarians, do hereby declare April 2008 as Parliamentary Law Month and call upon districts, associations, units, and all members to observe the month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities as a way to live our mission and accomplish our vision.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of January in the year two thousand eight.
Connie M. Deford
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Ronald Stinson installs OAP President Alice Bartelt at the March conference.
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Elaine Carlson signs in as OAP Secretary.
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Tom Corr raises funds by auctioning with humor, wit, and fast talk. |
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