Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Professional Parliamentarian provide legal advice?
No. A Professional Parliamentarian does not and cannot offer legal advice. A parliamentarian works along side of an organization's attorney providing procedural expertise and meeting procedure while the attorney provides the legal expertise.
Why hire a professional parliamentarian?
Professional parliamentarians spend countless hours studying the rules so you don't have to. We are able to advise you quickly on questions that come up at a meeting. As professional parliamentarians we are completely impartial. Member parliamentarians rarely have the training and credentials of a professional parliamentarian and must give up their rights to debate and vote. Attorneys are trained to focus on legal issues, not on bylaws or the procedural issues that will lead to an effective meeting.
Does a small organization need a professional parliamentarian?
Organizations are of all sizes and have very different needs. Small and large organizations use parliamentarians to help members better understand the bylaws or to help resolve disputes that may arise regarding procedure and protocol.
Can a parliamentarian assist with an electronic meeting?
Yes. With advancing technology and the ever-changing landscape of how organizations meet, a professional parliamentarian will advise on whether an organization can meet electronically (based on bylaws), provide recommendations on electronic platforms and provide guidance to avoid the electronic pitfalls so meetings effectively translate from face-to-face to the virtual meeting space.