On The Road To Registered Parliamentarian

[msmarieh]

So I made a decision at the beginning of this year to pursue a certification I have long delayed - Registered Parlimaentarian. This certification demonstrates a knowledge of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) and allows you to act as a parliamentarian for conventions as well as lower levels/smaller events like an association chapter or division parliamentarian. It can actually be a nice little source of extra income, as companies usually have to hire a parliamentarian for their annual meetings.

Among other things, in order to do this certification, you have to join the National Association of Parliamentarians, which actually requires that you take a test to be admitted! I took that test last weekend and passed. Woo hoo!

My goal is to take the Registered Parliamentarian test in April. This consists of 300 questions drawn from a test bank of 1200 questions related to RONR. The subjects include everything from how to make a motion, different kinds of motions, bylaws, officer elections, kicking someone out of office, how to hold meetings, create agendas, etc. While some of it can be dry of course, much of it is actually surprisingly interesting to learn about.

It also helps give you a greater understanding of how the legal side of organizations and companies work - what they need to do to get established and stay "in business", how and why they need to run their meetings, how they ensure that all stockholders/members have a say where appropriate, etc.

Neat stuff.

Is anyone else here an RP by chance?