skip navigation
MRSC logo

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC
About Our Blog Our Authors
Share this:


MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for Ann G. Macfarlane

A notebook for meeting minutes, lies between a pen and an hourglass

Less Is More: Action Minutes Save Time, Serve the Agency Best

August 23, 2023  by  MRSC Insight ,  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

Public meetings of a governing body can cover a variety of topics and include countless important decisions that will impact the agency and its communities. Action minutes can help the body focus on what was done during the meeting rather than what was said.

Read more

During a meeting of a small group around a table, one of the members puts his head down on the table because he is dismayed at what is happening.

Four Bad Habits Governing Bodies Should Avoid When Meeting

April 26, 2023  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

Whether it's due to heightened emotions or misunderstanding how to apply Roberts Rules, meetings of public agencies can sometimes go awry. Guest author and Parliamentarian Ann Macfarlane provides some procedural tips to governing bodies seeking more effective meetings. 

Read more

Can the Mayor Take Part in Discussion?

Can the Mayor Take Part in Discussion?

September 28, 2022  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Forms of Government-City ,  Legislative Body

In many cities, the mayor also acts as the meeting chair. While Robert's Rules directs the chair of large groups of 12 or more members to refrain from taking part in a discussion (and focus on facilitating), these rules do not automatically apply to smaller groups.

Read more

Sanctioning Rogue Board Members

Sanctioning Rogue Board Members

December 2, 2021  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

Sometimes the actions of a member of a governing body cause such disruption that that body will not be able to move forward on important matters. This blog reviews what a council, commission, or board can do when dealing with rogue members. 

Read more

Changing Course: Using Robert’s Rules to Alter a Prior Action

Changing Course: Using Robert’s Rules to Alter a Prior Action

January 19, 2021  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

Using Robert's Rules of Order, this blog looks at when and how a governing body can change course on a prior action.

Read more

What Does the New Robert’s Rules Mean for You?

What Does the New Robert’s Rules Mean for You?

October 28, 2020  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

From guest author and Professional Registered Parliamentarian Ann Macfarlane, this blog post looks at the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.

Read more

Tips for Government Bodies Meeting Remotely

Tips for Government Bodies Meeting Remotely

March 26, 2020  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  COVID-19 ,  Legislative Body

This blog post offers guidelines and tips for conducting successful remote local government meetings.

Read more

Don’t Get into Back-and-Forth Exchanges During Public Comment

Don’t Get into Back-and-Forth Exchanges During Public Comment

August 29, 2019  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

The public comment period of a public meeting can be a great time to hear from constituents and to be heard. However, these meetings should not devolve into back-and-forth exchanges between elected officials and their constituents. 

Read more

Successful Staff Interaction in Local Government Meetings

Successful Staff Interaction in Local Government Meetings

April 29, 2019  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

This MRSC Insight blog offers a few suggestions on how to structure successful staff participation in a council meeting. 

Read more

Point of Order and Appeal Are the Heart of Democracy

Point of Order and Appeal Are the Heart of Democracy

February 11, 2019  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

This blog post answers the question: What is a Point of Order and how do I use it? 

Read more

Meeting Discussion: When Should You Interrupt a Speaker?

Meeting Discussion: When Should You Interrupt a Speaker?

December 27, 2018  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

Under Robert's Rules, there are significant instances in which a board member or councilmember should be interrupted during a meeting in order to preserve preserve politeness and fairness for all.

Read more

Do We Have to Obey the Mayor?

Do We Have to Obey the Mayor?

July 23, 2018  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

Under Robert's Rules of Order and common parliamentary law the presiding officer of a governing body has certain rights — but so too do councilmembers, county commissioners, and directors of special districts — and no one has the authority to dominate the group.

Read more

How Well Do You Walk this Meeting Tightrope?

How Well Do You Walk this Meeting Tightrope?

February 25, 2016  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

Chairing a meeting requires two skills that are not easy to combine. The presider has to control the meeting, which requires strength. At the same time, he or she has to remain emotionally connected to the members, which requires warmth.

Read more

When Public Comment is Challenging

December 19, 2014  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Public Participation

This fall I had the privilege of working with planning directors from across the state at their 25th annual conference in Chelan, Washington. Our focus was on keeping things on track when folks are rude, crude or confused, particularly during public comment sessions.

Read more

Take it Back, We've Changed Our Mind!

September 30, 2012  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

In our work with councils, special districts and other public bodies, we often encounter confusion about how a group can change an action that it has taken. For small groups like most councils, it's easy. Here is some information that will simplify the matter, based on Robert's Rules of Order, 11th edition ("Robert"). Bear with me if it seems a bit technical - we predict that understanding...

Read more

Using the Round Robin Method for Efficient Council Meetings

March 1, 2012  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Council-Commission Advisor

The simplest way to make city council meetings more efficient is to use the round robin method of discussion. Sometimes, however, it's harder to employ this method than it seems. These are our tips for successful use of the round robin.

Read more

Should Our Council Adopt Robert's Rules of Order?

March 1, 2012  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Council-Commission Advisor

We believe that Robert's Rules still provides the best and most useful set of rules of order for civic bodies in our state - provided that folks are willing to do a little work and learn how to use Robert's Rules properly.

Read more

LOAD MORE