Parliamentary Workshop 2016
On May 6th and May 13th, Rosemary Seghatoleslami, Dorothy Cohen, Alice Weinstein, Barbara Wong and Michelle Bobrow taught a Parliamentary Workshops to the West Orange African Heritage Organization. At the first Friday session, we presented an overview of what an organizational meeting entails. We went over the general methods of running a meeting such as the need for an agenda, how the President conducts the meeting, how to make a main motion, the correct method of recording minutes, what the bylaws need to contain, the treasurer’s monthly report and more. Dorothy led the workshop using materials that she and Michelle developed to teach a course at the South Orange Maplewood Adult school titled “How to Run a Meeting.” We taught and answered many questions including an extensive discussion on what a quorum is. At the conclusion of the evening, we asked what areas of interest the group would like to focus on and so the following Friday we presented a program on motions, voting and disciplinary actions. Rosemary discussed a Main Motion, Subsidiary Motions, Privileged Motions as well as several Incidental Motions. After a ten minute recess, Michelle explained the various ways of voting, and Alice disciplinary actions, when and how to resolve a problem. Rosemary, Michelle and Dorothy have taught this community action group in the past and as always they were very receptive and gracious hosts. Using the internet we were able to distribute much of the information we presented. We received the following email: “The reviews by the attendees were very positive. You have never failed to meet and exceed our expectations.” It was a wonderful experience.
