Parliamentarian

General: The parliamentarian counsels the president, the executive committee, and the membership on parliamentary procedure. The following items should be at hand for this purpose: copies of NALS bylaws and standing rules; chapters should have copies of the chapter and state bylaws and standing rules; state associations should have copies of bylaws and standing rules for the state association and each local chapter within the state; and Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

Unless you are a registered parliamentarian, you are not expected to know the answer to every question which arises; however, you are expected to have the necessary reference materials in which to find the answer.

The parliamentarian is an appointed officer and, depending on the bylaws, may be a voting member of the executive committee and board of directors.

Suggested Duties

• Interpret the bylaws and standing rules (local, state, and NALS).
• Advise the president or chairman of a meeting on questions of order.
• See that any necessary or desirable amendments to the existing bylaws and standing rules are properly made and that current bylaws and standing rules are provided to all members of the board. Prepare a certification statement for any amendment made to the bylaws to be signed by the secretary and witnessed by the parliamentarian and the president. This certification is then sent to the NALS Resource Center with a copy of any amendments made to the bylaws. Local Chapter Associations must first send to the State Association, and the State forwards to the NALS Resource Center.• In the event changes are made to the NALS bylaws, check those amendments against the association bylaws to be sure those changes have not created a conflict with the association bylaws. If such a conflict exists, draft proposed amendments to the bylaws, present them to the executive committee for approval, and then provide notice to the board/members for approval in accordance with the bylaws.
• Review, approve or disapprove any amendments to the bylaws or additions to the standing rules of the association. Provide a signed copy of approved amendments to the NALS Resource Center, or the State Parliamentarian if a chapter.
• If you are serving as state parliamentarian, review and approve bylaws and standing rules being adopted by newly-formed chapters. New chapters are required to adopt the NALS uniform bylaws. Provide a signed copy of approved amendments to the NALS Resource Center.
• If you are serving as chapter parliamentarian, provide the state parliamentarian and president with copies of any revised chapter bylaws and standing rules.
• Prepare rules of meeting for all meetings and instructions on voting.
• Assist in preparing forms of motions when requested.