Note:

Online registration is currently closed, but spaces are still available. If you would like to register for this series and receive past webinar recordings, please contact Mike Hyatt-Evenson at (360) 816-1445 or mike@nwppa.org.

Who Should Attend:

Any utility employee or board member who is involved with board meetings, board procedures, or taking and maintaining board meeting minutes.

Series Overview:

A How-To Series on Board Meetings is comprised of 10 webinars from July through September 2020. Descriptions for each webinar can be found below. Webinars can be taken individually or as an entire series; however, by registering for the full series you will receive all 10 webinars at a discounted price.

Introduction to Robert's Rules (July 14, 2020)

Robert’s Rules of Order is the most common authority for running board meetings, yet the book is 800+ pages long and difficult to read. This interactive class distills the key points that board members need to know in order to work within this system and serve their community effectively. Learn how to make motions and amend them, the correct role of the chair, how to deal with inappropriate remarks, and more.

Guide Your Board to Better Decisions (July 21, 2020)

Discussion and decision-making are the heart of the board’s work, yet often they are challenging. This webinar gives the chair the tools, tips, and guidelines to ensure effective discussion and better decisions. Robert’s Rules of Order has surprising answers, and we will provide psychological insights to use them effectively. Includes Sample Discussion Guidelines for Local Governments and information on how to manage inappropriate remarks.

Troubleshooting Online Meetings (July 28, 2020)

In this challenging time, we have to be able to work together effectively when we are physically separated. The skill of the leader makes an enormous difference in the outcome, yet online meetings pose special challenges. During this
one-hour webinar, we will cover the role of the chair, agenda preparation, management of discussions and disagreements, voting, and troubleshooting common problems. Attendees will also receive insights, guidelines, and tips for running effective meetings by video or telephone.

Get What You Want Using Motions (August 4, 2020)

Do you feel frustrated by the system of motions in Robert’s Rules of Order? Motions aren’t difficult, they’re just weird! Get the insights and tips to use motions effectively and influence the outcome of your meetings. We will cover five significant motions and the baffling concept of Precedence of Motions. When you can use motions effectively, you gain influence and power. Includes key reference material and 5 Sample Motion Scripts.

Dealing with a Difficult Chair or Member (August 11, 2020)

Elected chairs sometimes assume that they are the “decider” and can direct the course of board meetings as they choose. What can members do when a chair has this misunderstanding? What if it’s a board member who lacks the spirit of cooperation and compromise? How can a board function if one member is an outlier or contrarian? Robert’s Rules has answers for you! We will explore the framework for board meetings, who is in charge of what, and how to ensure that the majority rules. This webinar combines essential procedural guidelines with psychological insight to help you manage your meetings in the face of dysfunction.

Meeting Minutes in Robert's Rules (August 18, 2020)

Learn the key guidelines from Robert's Rules of Order for processing meeting minutes, gain confidence in taking minutes, and be able to serve your board when parliamentary issues arise. We will cover the three different types of minutes, the minutes approval process, the role of the secretary/clerk, how to change minutes once adopted, and more. This webinar will not discuss the actual acts of listening and recording what is said, but it does include 20 key points that staff should know and the publication Guidelines for Meeting Minutes in Local Government.

Effective Public Comment and Public Hearings (August 25, 2020)

How does public comment differ from public hearings? What is the best way to manage these forms of community input? We will present tried-and-true guidelines to help you receive public comment effectively. We will also address what to include in the minutes. Includes three reference articles: "Danger Will Robinson! Public Comment Ahead!," "Guidelines for Public Comment in Local Government Meetings," and "Roundtable Community Workshops."

Robert's Rules Beyond the Basics (September 8, 2020)

Once you know how to make motions, amend them, refer them to a committee (or call the question), what’s next? This webinar will explore the lesser-known motions Reconsider, Table, Censure, Suspend the Rules, Object to Consideration of a Question, and more. We will also cover how to adopt Special Rules of Order so your board can
tailor its rules and procedures to your specific needs.

Newly Elected Survival Guide (September 15, 2020)

You were elected to serve your constituents, but if you’re new to the role, it can be challenging. Based on key concepts from Robert’s Rules, get the tools, insights, and tips you need to participate actively from day one. Have your voice heard! Includes the article "Rights and Responsibilities of the Member" and other key reference materials.

Crash Course for the Chair (September 22, 2020)

Just got elected chair? Now what? You don’t have to learn all of Robert’s Rules to be a good chair, but you must master certain guidelines and principles. Whatever your personality, you can orient yourself by this blueprint to run effective meetings and serve your community. Includes a sample script for running a board meeting.

Series Instructor:

Ann Macfarlane, Professional Registered Parliamentarian, Jurassic Parliament

Series Schedule:

Eight webinars will be held from 10-11:30 a.m., and two webinars will be held from 10-11 a.m. Pacific Time. Attendees will be admitted 15 minutes before the webinar begins. Recordings are available for attendees after the webinar.

How to Participate:

Instructions will be emailed to attendees 12 hours before the webinar and we recommend that you test the link to the meeting as soon as you get the instructions. This webinar series will use both Zoom and GoTo Webinar, and is best viewed using Chrome as your browser. We recommend that you use a landline for both your phone and your internet connections.

The single-attendee rates and multiple-attendee rates are listed below. Because we manage our webinars on an honor-system, we ask that you contact Mike Hyatt-Evenson at (360) 816-1445 or mike@nwppa.org to register multiple people from your utility at a discounted rate.

Series Fees:

Please visit the event pages for individual webinar pricing.

Individual Attendee Registration for All 10 Webinars:

Utility Member Rate: $900
Associate Member Rate: $1,350

Unlimited Attendee Registration for All 10 Webinars*:

Utility Member Rate: $2,250
Associate Member Rate: $3,375

*If your organization would like to send multiple attendees to this webinar or the full series, please contact Mike Hyatt-Evenson at (360) 816-1445 or mike@nwppa.org for further details.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations are accepted, with full refund, if request is made at least 30 days prior to the course. Within 30 days, fees are as follows: 15-29 days, $100; 1-14 days or no show, 100% of registration fee. When possible, please send a substitute instead of canceling; NWPPA does not charge a fee for substitutions.