The Complete Idiot's Guide to Parliamentary Procedure Fast-Track Paperback – October 2, 2012

Dealing with parliamentary procedure is akin to watching ice freeze. Notwithstanding this, we have many Boards and managers who, when not asking us for answers to procedural issues associated with meetings, ask us for a source to learn more about parliamentary procedure. Referring them to Robert's Rules of Order is tantamount to dooming the process before it begins.The latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order, 11th Edition contains 716 pages, and to an individual without background in parliamentary procedure is impossible to understand.So where to go? Well, we now have a great book to recommend. Our colleague, Jim Slaughter, has recently penned the Complete Idiot's Guide to Parliamentary Procedure - Fast Track. Although I am not a fan of many "Idiot" guides, this book is the exception to the rule. The book is extremely useful both to the person who wants a general understanding of parliamentary procedure with references where necessary to Robert's Rules of Order, but also to the expert practitioner as a great refresher course. The book is only 138 pages with a clear and sometimes humorous content. We strongly recommend this book to anyone that is required to act as a chairperson at a meeting, who desires to understand general parliamentary procedure and as a solid starting point to running a meeting in general.

Jim Slaughter's book is one of the best new additions to my bookshelf.Chapter 11 on "Meeting Minutes" is worth the price of the book and I hope to get it into the hands of every Pastor and Church Board Secretary under the jurisdiction of the Office I serve. Chapter 10 on "Order of Business and Agenda" is another great chapter as is Chapter 3, "The Motion: How Things are Done in Meetings". While most Church Board meetings operate on a relatively informal basis, more carefully planned board meetings with just the right amount of structure would result in both greater effectiveness and efficiency. And when a board is effective and efficient, those who serve on it are more likely to feel they have invested their time well.Jim is a professional parliamentarian who knows his stuff, but he understands that different organizations need to be able to function differently. The Idiot's Guide lives up to its billing as a fast-track reference; and, it is user-friendly. It won't bog you down. Jim makes it a fun and informative read - which is no small accomplishment when the subject is Robert's Rules!

If you know someone who is new to Parliamentary Procedure but needs to know how to run and effective meeting, give that person this book!The content in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Parliamentary Procedure Fast-Track, will give a new leader the information necessary to use Robert's Rules as a tool to make meetings run smoothly. The first two chapters are critical for every leader to master. The chapters answers two questions:1. What is Parliamentary Procedure? and2. How do Governing Documents and Robert's Rules work together. The author, Jim Slaughter has emerged as one of the finest parliamentarians in the country. His experience with huge meetings and conventions is an excellent basis to write books helping us mere mortals with Robert's Rules.The Complete Idiot's Guide to Parliamentary Procedure Fast-Track is written in a very direct style. Once this book is mastered, Check out another book co-authored by Slaughter, Notes and Comments on Robert's Rules.

This slim volume will give you all the basics you need to get up and running before your next meeting. This fits in nicely between  Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief, 2nd edition (Roberts Rules of Order in Brief)  and the full statement of the rules upon which this book is based,  Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th edition . The official "In Brief" book, which I highly recommend, might be a bit too brief and to complete your education this Fast Track book will do quite well. It explains (among other things) all of the most common motions you will need (more then is covered in "In Brief"), elections, and gives practical advice to new members / presiding officers. Finally, you will be hard pressed to find a better tutor then Jim Slaughter who is well respected in parliamentary circles for his ability to clearly explain concepts that may at first glance seem tricky.

This book by Jim Slaughter was purchased in 2012. I keep it close to my personal copy of Robert's; often it is the first resource I check for confirming or denying an interpretation of Robert's. The first two chapters are worthy of reading and re-reading occasionally as they examine the fundamental concepts of parliamentary procedure. After that a reader can as the title implies, get on the fast track of learning parliamentary procedure with the remaining text. The parliamentary pointers and the definitions that are inserted within the text are worth purchasing the book. The author hooks this reader in with his style of writing; his background as an attorney, his credentials in parliamentary procedure, and his teaching ability are evident!

When I needed to study up on Parlimentary Procedure, it seemed daunting because I had no prior knowledge about the subject. This book was exactly what I needed! It was a lifesaver for me.

When this book arrived I sat down with the thought of scanning it and then putting it on my reference shelf. As I began reading the first few pages I was so engaged by the writing style, and the author's sense of humor, that I just kept reading.As a professional manager of community associations I got all the way to page six before I found a list of things that I intend to share with each of my community boards. The chapter on minutes is also brief and clear, if only more secretaries would not feel compelled to transcribe every word spoken!I strongly suggest you get this book, read it and share its essence with any board with which you may work, it will save you an enormous amount of time and make your meetings more productive.

Just what I was looking for! Simple and easy to read.

Mosty about how to minute meetings. Was hoping for info on how paliament works especially in the Commons.

Great