Customer Reviews

Webster's New World Robert's Rules of Order Simplified and Applied

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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Do not be confused. This book is not Robert's Rules of Order (RROO). It is a companion volume designed to explain RROO. It is, however, a very good companion which I found to be very easy to understand and contained some very up-to-date information like how to vote by e-mail.

It has some other nice features like scripts to use in meetings. However, it lacks a simple table of motions, something that is included in most versions of RROO.

Unfortunately, the most up-to-date official version of RROO (the Newly Revised, 10th edition) is a huge book compared to the original volume that Mr. Robert wrote in 1876 as a pocket guide. To me, the large size makes the newest edition virtually useless. If you are interested in parliamentary procedure for a PTO, club, or church business meetings, you are also unlikely to need the most recent edition.

The last edition that Robert himself was personally involved in before his death was the 1915 Revised edition (not to be confused with the Newly Revised versions). This was the official version for many decades and I think is still good enough for most users. I purchased a paperback re-print of this edition from 1970 which also added a new preface by Robert's grandson.

Some supposedly modern editions of RROO are really just re-writes of the original 1876 version. I assume that as the original book is so old, it has long run out of copyright, so anybody can publish their own RROO. This may be a good thing as people looking for a more slimmed-down book may be happier with a modernized version of Robert's original pocket version. However, the 1915 edition, while expanded significantly over the original, is not so huge and I think a reasonable compromise.

So, to make a long story short. I would recommend purchasing some official version of RROO (again, I like the 1915 edition) along with Webster's book.

I accepted a position as Board Adminstrator for a charity organization overseas. Prior to that, I had heard about Robert's Rules of Order, but had never used the book as a reference. In my time as a Board Administrator, I referred to this book often for a proposed amendment to our Constitution and By-Laws, procedures for notifying members of the Annual General Meeting, and to clarify the motion-making procedure for Board members. Robert McConnell Productions uses sample scripts to give readers can get a sense for how to conduct a board meeting (Chapter 2, "A Business Meeting in Action"), how to debate a motion (Chapter 4, "Rules of Debate"), and how to vote (Chapter 5, "Ways the Vote Can be Taken"). I passed my copy to the next Board Administrator and just ordered a new copy for myself. Board members have a significant advantage in Board negotiations if they are intimately familiar with RRO.

This book was a great reference tool these past few years. It was easy to look up the topic in question and find an answer to the questions we might have had. It is well laid out and easy to use.

This book is user friendly. Very comprehensive. Roberts Rules have never been easier to understand. Highly recommend.

Who would have thought this would be an interesting book? I flew right thru it. I will keep it for reference. This book is needed for anyone conducting meetings on any level. Want to impress your boss? Want to look like you know what you are doing? Want to put others in their place? Read this book. Know the Rules.

This is certainly a good book, even excellent at times, but by no means great. The first half does flow logically through the different kinds of motions and such, but uses the language of Robert's Rules to define Robert's Rules, which can be very frustrating. Sort of like a dictionary using the same word to define itself. (This is published by Webster's so I guess that should be expected.) Very dry and not particularly pleasant reading but, well, functional. The middle of the book is still dry but more narrative, discussing strategy, meetings, bylaws, officers, etc. There are some Q & A and addendum material. The result is that information is scattered about the book in a repetitive and confusing manner which makes it difficult to refer back to if you're looking for specific information.

The second half of the book is where most of the value lies. I haven't found many books that discuss "strategy" of Robert's Rules and that's where the book is often excellent. It discusses things that aren't obvious by just reading the rules, like how motions can be used strategically or manipulatively. Still not great reading, but this is what really matters when learning parliamentary process, otherwise you're at a disavantage to those who know this information. So, kudos to this book for giving it some attention.

Anyway, it's not very concise, you'd think there's be some good summary charts but there isn't really. Practically speaking, it's not good as a reference. Still, if you work your way through it you will piece together a good idea of how Robert's Rules work in an organization, but of course you'd probably want a copy of another concise reference in the future rather than referring back to this book.

If you are starting your own organization, then you can define which rules of order you use. If "Robert's Rules" aren't specified, only "parliamentary process" is, then you should consider another standard. I highly recommend that you consider "The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure" by Alice Sturgis. This is parliamentary procedure - similar to Robert's Rules but simplified - that is appropriate for 95% of organizations. You'd be impressed what organizations use it. If you understood "The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure", then you'd pretty much understand Robert's Rules anyway (they're very similar) but without as much stress. That book is very well written and available on Amazon, check it out.

I am the CEO and CHAIR of my Organization known as the Canadian0-Kurdish Association for Human Rights, INC. and we have our own set of "by-laws", this book, "Robert's Rules of Order is simple to read and very easy to use. I am very please and satisfied with it's contents. Is very easy to understand as well and easy to follow instructions and examples to use. I am glad I have purchased it. Thank-You.

Using these Rules has been a tremendous aid to our non-profit board meetings. It guides us through some tough choices, while keeping a degree of objectivity. Even when the applications seem a little arcane in this high-tech world, basic principles of civility and business practices are codified for our good. Thank you for this guide.

If you need a copy of Roberts Rules of Order.... this is a good one. Some try and come off "slick" this one stays to the facts. I use it. I like it.

Bought this item when I first became a board of directors member. Book arrived in great condition and has been very helpful.