Zella Pearson returns to offer two free basic parliamentary procedure workshops

How do you call a meeting to order? Or make a motion during a regular business meeting? And how do you establish a board committee?

All of these questions and more will be answered at two free parliamentary procedure workshops from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Oct. 11 and 24 at the Somerset Energy Center City Council Chambers. The Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) is partnering with Zella Pearson, president of Priority 1 Inc. in Somerset, to provide the two-hour sessions as a way to promote transparency and a greater understanding of governance. 

Each workshop will cover different topics: Session No. 1 will take a look at assembly and members, meetings, the call and call to order, agendas, and basic rules for carrying out agenda items, while Session No. 2 will explore main and secondary motions and establishing committees.

Now in its third year, SPEDA’s parliamentary procedure training has been incredibly popular among past participants, SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler said. Nearly 100 people in the community have taken advantage of the free workshops since SPEDA’s inception in 2019. 

“At SPEDA we believe in conducting business the right way, and we want to encourage others to do the same,” Girdler said. “Transparency is important in fostering goodwill in the community and creating a trusting environment where we all feel work, live and play. Zella Pearson is an incredibly engaging presenter and our participants have all walked away feeling confident in their ability to conduct a meeting and know when one isn’t being conducted the right way. I highly encourage anyone in our community who wants to better understand parliamentary procedure to take advantage of this free training.”

Pearson teaches the course using Roberts Rules of Order, the most widely used manual of parliamentary procedure in the United States. She has a wealth of experience training elected officials, industries, healthcare organizations and charitable and civic organizations. Pearson’s experience in parliamentary procedure can be seen through her service to the community, having served as president of the Somerset Rotary Club, a member of the steering committee for the Bethany House campaign, president of her homeowners’ association and a board member for Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital.

All participants will receive a copy of the newly revised 12th edition of Robert’s Rules. First published in 1876, Robert’s Rules of Order governs the meetings of a diverse range of organizations — including church groups, sports organizations, homeowners’ associations, non-profits, professional societies, school boards and site-based decision-making councils — that have adopted it as their parliamentary authority.

Robert’s Rules of Order covers everything from explaining what motions exist and how they can be made, to election processes, speaking and debate, how to establish bylaws and how to discipline when proper procedure isn’t followed.

SPEDA offers parliamentary procedure training annually to the community for free, along with other soft-skills and hospitality training sessions. Watch SPEDA’s website and social media for training announcements.

To register for the third annual parliamentary procedure training, contact SPEDA Chief Financial Officer Jessica Carlton at jessica@speda.org or call (606) 425-5409.