Parliamentary Law

What is parliamentary procedure?

Parliamentary procedure, or parliamentary law, refers to the rules of democracy — the commonly accepted principles by which a group comes together to present, discuss, and decide on possible courses of action.

Parliamentary procedure also outlines the typical duties of individuals elected as president, secretary, treasurer, or other officers of an organization.

Fundamentally, parliamentary procedure defines how groups — whether formal or informal — can meet and make decisions effectively, fairly, and consistently, while making good use of everyone’s time.

While parliamentary procedure cannot guarantee that every member will be pleased with the outcome of a decision, it strives to ensure that all members are satisfied with the fairness of the decision-making process, allowing the organization to act efficiently while respecting every member’s opinion.

What is a parliamentarian?

A parliamentarian, or parliamentary procedure consultant, is an expert in interpreting and applying rules of order for meetings. These rules — such as Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised — help groups conduct business efficiently, fairly, and in an orderly manner.

A parliamentarian’s main function is to provide advice on parliamentary procedure to the president, officers, committees, and members of a group or organization. Parliamentarians also have expertise in the nomination and election process, which can be especially valuable during close or contested elections.

Some of the ways a parliamentarian can assist organizations include:
Convention Parliamentarian
Bylaws Consultant
Bylaws Amendment or Revision Author
Advisor to the Officers and Board of Directors
Expert Witness
Professional Presiding Officer
Trainer in Parliamentary Procedure
Presiding Officer Trainer
Election Supervisor
Planning Meeting Strategist
Script Writer

What is Robert’s Rules of Order?

The 12th edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised is the current edition of the most widely used parliamentary authority for meeting procedures and business rules in the English-speaking world. Members of the National Association of Parliamentarians and the Florida State Association of Parliamentarians maintain professional expertise in interpreting and applying these rules.

How can I find a parliamentarian to help me?

To connect with a professional parliamentarian who can help your organization conduct business more efficiently or resolve challenging issues, use the Find a Parliamentarian feature on this website’s home page.