@michaelmouritsen
50+ years of professional experience providing procedural advice to committees, boards and conventions in the public, not-for-profit, and labour union sectors. More resources and blog at MichaelMouritsen.ca. 🇨🇦
My March blog, 1st published in the National Parliamentarian, re-written for anyone who helps run meetings (clerks/secretaries/chairs/in-house procedural advisors) & ordinary members tired of procedural wrangling at meetings. #robertsrules #parliamentaryprocedure
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/parli...
In this month's blog, I explore the use of the gavel: does the chair of a meeting need one, is there a proper way to use it, what does it mean when you hear it being used, and why can't some chairs resist banging it? #robertsrulesoforder #parliamentaryprocedure
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/so-wh...
Roy Orbison was certain that it was The End in his classic 1964 song 'It's Over'. When it comes to meetings, however, it's not always over when we think it is. My January blog post.
#robertsrulesoforder #parliamentaryprocedure #governance
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/when-...
My final blog post of 2025: a completely expanded and more comprehensive article (than the 2022 original) on how to prepare, approve and amend an agenda using #RobertsRulesOfOrder. #robertsrules #governance #parliamentaryprocedure
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/prepa...
My November blog post: what's a resolution, is it different from a motion, and how many 'whereas' clauses are permitted in the preamble? #robertsrulesoforder #parliamentaryprocedure
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/resol...
Some secretaries of organizations take offence when members propose corrections to the minutes. Get over it - the minutes of a meeting belong to the members, not the secretary. My October blog post. #robertsrules #parliamentaryprocedure #governance
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/the-s...
It's September, and time to return to writing my monthly blog posts on parliamentary procedure. Here is this month's contribution: if you want to challenge the results of a vote on a motion, you have to act quickly! #parliamentaryprocedure #robertsrules
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/chall...
3/ ... can be tracked down, arrested, and forcibly returned - IF they are within the legislative body's jurisdiction. If they are physically outside the state, as in Texas, not much can be done to compel their return. #RobertsRules #ParliamentaryProcedure #Governance #Texas
2/Voluntary organizations who lose or don't achieve quorum can take steps to contact members, but legislative bodies can actually compel attendance by adopting a 'Call of the House' - see #RobertsRulesOfOrder 40:13-40:16. Doors can be locked, members not permitted to leave, and absent members ....
A special Summer post in light of the decision by Democratic members of the Texas state legislature to 'break quorum' by fleeing the state to stop the adoption of new congressional district boundaries favouring Republican voters.
Here is my previous post:
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/quest...
A mid-Summer post from the past: what is a question of privilege? #robertsrulesoforder #parliamentaryprocedure #governance
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/raisi...
Yes, hostile amendments are allowed, just like hostile debate! A companion piece to last year's post on friendly amendments. Taking a break for Summer; back in September. My website, however, is on duty 24/7 - check it out. #robertsrules #parliamentaryprocedure
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/how-t...
Pope Alexander III couldn't have known that his introduction in 1179 of the 2/3 vote requirement for electing new Popes would become the basis for 'supermajority' votes today. Why some motions require more than a majority - my blog post for May.
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/when-...
My April blog post on the different meanings of the term 'table'. It's been used to kill a motion so it cannot be discussed; to postpone a motion so it can be discussed later; and to introduce a motion so it can start to be discussed. Which is correct?
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/to-ta...
My latest blog post on how the chair of a meeting, by using his or her 'soft power', can speed things up. #robertsrulesoforder #parliamentaryprocedure #governance #boards #meetings
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/how-t...
Why your organization needs to have disciplinary procedures to deal with disruptive members.
michaelmouritsen204693.substack.com/p/why-discip...
My latest blog post: a condo board doesn't like its vice-president, so tries to prevent her from succeeding the president after his resignation.
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/does-...
The Speaker of the US House of Representatives was re-elected on the first ballot during a rollcall after two members changed their votes. What does #RobertsRulesOfOrder say about changing votes in meetings of your organization?
#Governance #ParliamentaryProcedure
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/can-y...
I get questions about nominations - here are some answers! #parliamentaryprocedure #robertsrulesoforder #governance #boards #meetings #schoolboards #municipalities #unions #elections
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/quest...
Sometimes, secret meetings are necessary. #parliamentaryprocedure #robertsrulesoforder #governance #boards #meetings
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/confi...
Every organization should have a conflict of interest policy so members know what to do when their personal interests conflict with those of the organization. #parliamentaryprocedure #conflictofinterest #robertsrulesoforder #governance #boards #unions
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/confl...
You don't need to include 'business arising from the minutes' on your meeting agendas. #parliamentaryprocedure #robertsrulesoforder #governance #boards #meetings
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/dont-...
We've all heard of friendly amendments; what do they mean and when can they be used?
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/handl...
ICYMI - if you're chairing a meeting, good judgement & common sense are important, but so is knowing the rules! And you need to prepare for each meeting.
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/when-...
As we approach year-end, here’s a gem from the vault: a 2021 blog post explaining majority decision-making. michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/why-w... %26 Definitions
Parliamentarian: Half in favour and half opposed, the motion is tied and therefore fails.
Answers to common questions about quorum. #governance #parliamentaryprocedure #robertsrulesoforder
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/quest...
Why do people get so obsessed with close or tied votes?
#governance #parliamentaryprocedure #robertsrulesoforder #voting
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/legit...
Secret ballots can be used for votes on motions, not just in elections. #governance #parliamentaryprocedure #robertsrulesoforder
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/secre...
A great book arguing that a shared knowledge of parliamentary procedure helped to moderate the California gold rush. #governance #history #robertsrulesoforder #parliamentaryprocedure #california
michaelmouritsen.ca/blog/f/did-p...