RR Bootcamp
Robert's Rules Bootcamp Video

Robert's Rules Bootcamp - Parliamentary Training

Get Answers, Get Trained

Effectiveness begins with knowledge. Skill is acquired with practice. True participation in our government, or in leadership, requires both knowledge and skill.

Upcoming Dates

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"Meetings are much more productive."

- Lori, Saginaw County Chair

To help you learn skill, and achieve effectiveness, we offer several methods to learn. This includes a Bootcamp for the best learning experience, and evening Zoom classes for convenience.


The governance of our great country rests locally, on individuals, which is unique in all the world. Our founding fathers knew what it means to create an atmoshpere of knowledge, so that the entire group functions well together.

The Bootcamps offer the environment to practice Robert's Rules in a real scenarios. It will teach and improve your ability to pass or defeat resolutions.

Zoom classes are designed to enhance knowledge and memorization. Memorization is a key component to being able to handle debate situations as they arise.

Learn Skill

Skill is the ability to do something well, to know what to do and when. Others recognize skill, and look to it. Skill comes first from knowledge, and then practice. Founding Father Samual Adams made the following statement, making it clear an individuals role in contributing to the betterment of society:

"If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslav'd. This will be their great Security."

-Samuel Adams February 12, 1779

Practice is intentional process of performing an action correctly so that it becomes natural. Speaking is the process by which government is enacted. The better the speaker, the better the persuader, the better you will become at your job in governement, management and leadership.

"I have never had so much fun learning how to be effective."

- Lisa, 2023

RONR Topics

Rights

  • Right to attend meetings
  • Make motions
  • Participate in debate
  • Vote
  • Make nominations
  • Give advanced notice of motions
"Without liberty, law loses its nature and its name, and becomes oppression. Without law, liberty also loses its nature and its name, and becomes licentiousness."

-James Wilson 1790

Parliamentary Topics

  1. Motions for a body to take action
  2. Assignment, by which fair order of speaking is preserved
  3. Voting, by which decisions are made
  4. Debate, by which persuasion is performed
  5. Amendments, by which motions are customized
  6. Committees, by which research is performed
  7. Privileges, by which members have abilities
  8. Disciplinary Measures, by which a body can self-correct
  9. Reports, by which members are informed
  10. Conventions, by which members elect
  11. Quorum, by which integrity of the body is enabled

Definitions

Parliamentary Law

"Parliamentary law originally was the name given to the rules and customs for carrying on business in the English Parliament that were developed through a continuing process of decisions and precedents somewhat like the growth of the common law. These rules and customs, as brought to America with the settling of the New World, became the basic substance from which the practice of legislative bodies in the United States evolved." -RONR 12th Ed, Preface pg xxix

Debate

"A formal discussion on a particular topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward." -Oxford Dictionary

Voting

Putting the Question. "When the debate appears to have closed, the chair may ask, “Are you ready for the question?” or “Is there any further debate?” If no one then rises to claim the floor, the chair proceeds to put the question—that is, he puts it to a vote after once more making clear the exact question the assembly is called upon to decide." - RONR 12th Ed 4:34

Founding Fathers On The Key To Freedom

"Freedom can exist only in the society of knowledge. Without learning, men are incapable of knowing their rights, and where learning is confined to a few people, liberty can be neither equal nor universal."

-Benjamin Rush, 1786

History & Knowledge

Robert's Rules lays out how meetings should be run, and discusses this process as "The kind of gathering in which parliamentary law is applicable is known as a deliberative assembly." This deliberative assembly is the key to what makes us American. It allows us to enact as a body after intelligently and fairly discussing amongst each other in the process known as debate. There is no other process which does this fairly, so that everyone feels the system is fair.

While some may understand the mechanics of a motion, those rules encompass only a few pages of the book. The question is, How does one make a motion fairly in a large assembly? So that no one is cheated? No one is left unheard? That is the trick. That is the rest of the book. Human behaviour is complex, so it should be understood that rules are made to accommodate our complex natures.

Testimonials

"I loved it! I enjoyed the role play too. I went in thinking I knew RR, but left much more educated." -Rhonda
"Completely changed my attitude towards meetings. From dread to enthusiasm." -George
"First time I have ever felt able to address the group. Thank you for helping me!." -Jean
"The time was engaging. After eight hours of training, I felt empowered. Well spent day." -Bill
"I enjoyed the training. I knew some about Robert's Rules, but plenty of role playing prepares you for the reality of needing to think quickly in various situations during meetings." -Mary
"Very much enjoyed the training. I was familiar with RR as far as church business meetings go but learned much more at the training. I especially liked the quotes at the end…a reminder why we're working at this. Thank you!" -Val
"Was very hesitant at first, but needed training. Afterwards I have a completely different view of RR. Looking forward to a meeting now." -John
"Loved it!!!" -Annette
"Thought I knew RR. Was very wrong. Thank you for a great day." -Mark
"The training was great. I was familiar with RR, but JD really explained it so much more with the role playing." - Lisa
"I felt like he gave me a good foundation on how RR work and why they were created. Excellent explanations and the role playing was helpful. I want to learn more!" -Bonnie
"I also enjoyed the training and meeting with everyone. I really liked the cheat sheet page and plan on bringing that with me to next Republican meeting." -AnnMarie
"I enjoyed the training also! I liked JD's style of working with the group and involving bible verses and roll playing to better understand how Roberts rules work." -Brenda
"I cannot even begin to say how informative and fun JD's Robert's Rules training was! If you want to effectively take back your county you need to take this class. Although the class was 8 hours, the time flew. I wasn't ready to go at 8 hours. JD's teaching style draws and holds your attention the entire day. Well done." - Candace

About

Our mission is to train people in debate according to the parliamentary system written in Robert's Rules Of Order, Newly Revised. This process, first written down formally in 1876, contains the evolution of serveral hundred years of parlimenatary process, and represents the best process for groups of people to make fair decisions. Our goal is to prepare people in order that they become effective in local government, business or leadership using these tools. Our government is by the people and for the people, but this only functions correctly when the people understand HOW to participate.

Knowledge is the first step. Skill is the second.

Purpose

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