Hard to get meetings to run smoothly? Try Robert’s Rules

Thursday, March 11, 1999 | 11:10 a.m.

An Army engineer, Maj. Henry M. Robert III, changed the world in 1876.

That's when he published Robert's Rules of Order, adopted throughout the world as the standard way for people to work together in meetings.

And a group of Las Vegans affiliated with the group International Training in Communication wants to change the local scene by spreading the word about Robert's rules.

Christine Glassco is a local parliamentarian helping to organize a seminar scheduled for later this month.

"A lot of people enjoy belonging to organizations, but they do not know how to participate in the meetings," Glassco said.

"In this seminar, people will learn a practical way to apply Robert's Rules of Order. It will help them become more knowledgeable, comfortable and confident in meetings as a participant or leader."

The seminar will take place March 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in UNLV's Classroom Complex, Rooms 216 and 218.

Pre-registration is $45, with registration $55 at the door. For registration information, call Glassco at 240-3944 or Dollie McPartlin at 876-2310.

In past years, Glassco said, the seminars have attracted 35 to 40 people representing government agencies, civic groups, homeowners associations, unions, chambers of commerce and other groups that need to conduct productive and efficient meetings.

The seminar is divided into two sections, beginners and advanced.

"We get quite a few questions from people who want to know what they should have done in certain situations," Glassco said. While a seminar on parliamentary procedure may not sound all that lively, Glassco said the instruction, punctuated by the questions, is actually lively throughout.

"There's never a dull moment," she said.