Jim Slaughter's Blog: Robert's Rules & Parliamentary Procedure

In May 2022, my law partner, Harmony Taylor, and I presented a program at the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Annual Conference on running better, more legal virtual meetings for community associations. By that point, most boards and managers had already experienced electronic meetings out of necessity. What remained unsettled was not whether meetings could be held online, but whether they were being conducted in a way that was legal, defensible, and effective. The questions we heard were consistent. Can we meet virtually at all? Does it matter whether the meeting is for the board, the members, or a committee? What … Continue reading →

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This article is adapted from remarks I delivered during an “Author Chat” with the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers on February 7, 2023. It reflects an edited written version of that presentation, focusing on why I write parliamentary books, how my books differ, and trends I see in modern meetings and parliamentary practice. Why I Write About Parliamentary Procedure Anyone who wants to write about parliamentary procedure should keep their day job. That is not why we write. We write because we find this subject genuinely interesting, because we enjoy teaching it, and because we were taught by others to … Continue reading →

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In most associations, significant decisions are made at board, committee, and membership meetings. Budgets are adopted. Directors are elected. Budgets are adopted. Directors are elected. Governing document amendments and policies are approved. When an organization says it follows Robert’s Rules of Order, it is committing to run its meetings under a recognized, structured system designed to promote fairness, order, and clear decision making. Because of that, how meetings are conducted matters, both legally and practically. Many association governing documents require that meetings be conducted in accordance with the “current edition” of Robert’s Rules of Order. When that is the case, … Continue reading →

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This article is adapted from a presentation I gave to the Virtual Parliamentarians Toastmasters Club on December 21, 2025. The session focused on several parliamentary tools that are frequently used but often misunderstood, including Questions of Privilege, Parliamentary Inquiry, Requests for Information, and Points of Order. While these motions rarely get much attention, they play an outsized role in how meetings actually function. What follows is a edited written version of that presentation. Points and Requests: The Parliamentary Tools We Use the Most and Understand the Least It humbles me, especially during the week of Christmas, that people would take … Continue reading →

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Congratulations to Law Firm Carolinas partner Adam Marshall, who has been elected to the Greensboro City Council. A lifelong Greensboro resident and experienced attorney, Adam has long served the city through leadership (often as Chair) on key commissions and boards, including the: He ran a positive campaign and secured a commanding victory, by capturing 67% to 33% of the votes—an impressive achievement in these divisive times. Adam’s solid understanding of city government, steady temperament, and interest in working with others to find practical solutions will make him an excellent member of the Greensboro City Council. Congratulations, Adam!

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These are trying times. Whether because of the political climate, social media, or the stresses of modern life, poor conduct at meetings has become common. As attorneys and experienced professional parliamentarians, Carole Albright and I assist with many meetings of every size each year. Members, and even directors, seem shorter and snappier than ever. We increasingly hear directors say things like: “I can’t work with that board member.” “I won’t be in the same room as that director.” “Can’t we handle everything by email?” The answer to that last one is no, but the real issue runs deeper. Directors don’t … Continue reading →

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In May 2023, I had the opportunity to speak at the American Institute of Parliamentarians East Coast Practicum on a topic that comes up repeatedly in real-world meetings but is often misunderstood: the legal side of parliamentary procedure. What follows is an adapted version of those remarks, revised slightly for a reading audience but retaining the substance, examples, and perspective of the original presentation. When people think about parliamentary procedure, they often treat it as a technical skill set, separate from the law. In my experience, that separation rarely holds up in the real world. Parliamentary procedure and legal requirements … Continue reading →

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How They Work Together and When They Need Updating Every community association–whether a homeowners association (HOA) or condominium–operates under a set of governing documents. Together, these documents define how the community functions, what owners may or may not do, and how decisions are made. Although most owners are familiar with the “rules,” few realize how those rules fit into a hierarchy of authority or how and when those documents should be updated. Declaration of Covenants The Declaration (sometimes called the “Covenants,” “CCRs,” or “Restrictions”) is the document filed with the county that created the community association. It is a contract … Continue reading →

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Every board, committee, or membership meeting eventually faces “problem members.” They may be disruptive by design or simply enthusiastic to a fault. Fortunately, presiding officers have proven tools—parliamentary and personal—for steering meetings back on track. The Over-Participator Some members feel compelled to speak on every issue, often multiple times. If your parliamentary authority is Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised or The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure, rules can help balance participation: In smaller boards or informal settings, the chair can still enforce balance by inviting comments from those who haven’t spoken. If necessary, the chair should act as a … Continue reading →

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If you haven’t been involved with the National Education Association (NEA) or a state affiliate, the title of this article might seem odd. But for decades, there’s been a practice where delegates at the national Representative Assembly or state conventions move to “reconsider all new business items” or “reconsider all items voted on until now.” This motion doesn’t actually intend to reopen every past decision. Instead, it takes advantage of a feature of the motion to Reconsider in Robert’s Rules of Order (12th Edition). That motion allows an assembly to revisit a single motion if someone believes a mistake was … Continue reading →

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